Join Family Visa for Ireland (2025)

Complete Guide by Expert Consultants

If you have a family member living in Ireland and you wish to join them, Ireland offers a Join Family Visas route to reunite legally and safely. Whether your loved one is an Irish citizen, a work permit holder, or a non-EU resident with legal status, this visa category allows you to apply for permission to live with them in Ireland.

At Expert Consultants, we guide families through every stage of the Join Family Visas process—from understanding eligibility to preparing documentation and securing visa approvals.

This guide explains everything you need to know about Ireland’s Join Family Visas in 2025, including who can apply, types of family reunification, application steps, and post-arrival requirements.

You can also explore the Parent of an Irish Child visa options for family reunification in Ireland.

01 9081113

enquiries@expertconsultants.ie

01 9081113

enquiries@expertconsultants.ie

Parent of an Irish Child

A Join Family Visa allows non-EEA (non-European Economic Area) nationals to live in Ireland with their qualifying family member who is already residing in Ireland under legal status. It is a long-stay ‘D’ visa and must be approved before entering Ireland.

This visa is applicable to spouses, partners, dependent children, elderly dependent parents, and other close family members under certain conditions.

The eligibility to apply depends on the immigration status of the person already living in Ireland (called the sponsor).
1. Irish Citizens Can Sponsor:

  • Spouse or civil partner.
  • De facto partner (must prove cohabitation).
  • Dependent children (under 18 or under 23 if in full-time education).
  • Elderly dependent parents (must prove financial and emotional dependence).

2. Non-EU Residents in Ireland Can Sponsor If They Hold:

  • Critical Skills Employment Permit (Stamp 1).
  • General Employment Permit (after 12 months).
  • Stamp 4 (residency).
  • Stamp 5 or Long-Term Residency.
  • Researcher or PhD student status.

Sponsors must demonstrate financial stability, suitable accommodation, and legal residence in Ireland.

  • Relationship must be genuine and proven through documentation.
  • The sponsor must meet income thresholds (depending on their status).
  • Children must be financially and emotionally dependent.
  • Spouses must be legally married or in a durable, cohabiting partnership.
  • The visa applicant must not pose a security or immigration risk.

Each application is reviewed carefully by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), so accurate documentation is critical.

Although requirements vary by case, you will generally need:

  • Completed AVATS online visa application form.
  • Valid passport.
  • Birth/marriage certificate (as proof of relationship).
  • Evidence of cohabitation (for partners).
  • Sponsor’s passport and immigration permission.
  • Sponsor’s proof of residence in Ireland.
  • Proof of accommodation in Ireland.
  • Financial documents (bank statements, payslips, tax returns).
  • Travel insurance.
  • Detailed cover letter explaining your intention to live together.

All non-English documents must be officially translated.

At Expert Consultants, we provide document checklists, templates for relationship evidence, and help organize files for embassy submission.

  • Step 1: Apply Online
    Start by completing the AVATS online application and select “Join Family (D Visa)” as the visa type.
  • Step 2: Prepare Documents
    Organize all required supporting documents, including relationship proof, financial details, and the sponsor’s immigration status.
  • Step 3: Submit to Embassy or Visa Center
    Send your documents to the Irish embassy or VFS Global center in your country, following the AVATS instructions.
  • Step 4: Wait for a Decision
    Processing times for Join Family Visas vary but usually take 8 to 12 weeks, depending on case complexity and embassy workload.
  • Step 5: Travel to Ireland and Register
    If approved, travel to Ireland and register with the immigration office within 90 days to receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP).

Sponsors must show they can support their family member without relying on public funds.
For example:

  • Employment permit holders must meet minimum salary thresholds.
  • Irish citizens must demonstrate stable income and accommodation.
  • Stamp 4 holders must provide bank statements and tax documents.

Each case is assessed individually. We help you calculate your eligibility based on income, housing, and family size.

Yes, depending on the sponsor’s immigration status.

  • If the sponsor holds Stamp 4 or is an Irish citizen, the joining spouse may receive Stamp 1G, which allows work without a separate permit.
  • If the sponsor is on a Critical Skills Permit, their family can also work.
  • If the sponsor is on a General Employment Permit, family members can join after 12 months, spouses are also allowed to work separately.

The family reunification process can be challenging. Here are some common issues applicants face and potential solutions:

  • Proof of Relationship:
    Sometimes applicants struggle to provide sufficient proof of their relationship with the sponsor.
  • Solution:
    Use affidavits from family members, notarized documents, and any other available evidence like photos, communication records, etc.
  • Financial Requirements:
    The sponsor might not meet the minimum income requirement for supporting the family member.
  • Solution:
    The sponsor can submit additional documents showing alternative income sources or financial support from other relatives.

After spending 5 years as a legal resident in Ireland under the Join Family Visa, the visa holder can apply for Irish citizenship through naturalization. This involves demonstrating a continued residence in Ireland, good character, and sufficient- knowledge of the country’s language and culture.

Why Expert Consultants?

Your Pathway to a Successful Work Visa in Ireland

At Expert Consultants, we understand the emotional importance of family reunification. Our services include:

Eligibility assessment for family sponsorship

We assess your profile to confirm eligibility for sponsoring your loved ones.

Document preparation and translation support

Accurate document handling with certified translation when needed.

Cover letter and cohabitation evidence drafting

Professionally written letters and relationship proofs that meet visa standards.

Full application assistance via AVATS and embassy submissions

Complete support from AVATS form to embassy appointment and submission.

Visa tracking and post-approval support

We monitor your visa status and assist you even after approval.

We’ve helped numerous families reunite in Ireland—securely, lawfully, and successfully.

Talk to our Consultants

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Processing usually takes 6 to 9 months, but it can be longer if additional documents are requested.

Yes. De facto partners must prove at least 2 years of cohabitation and a durable relationship through evidence like joint leases, shared bills, or photos.

Yes, if they are under 18 or under 23 and in full-time education, and are financially dependent.

In exceptional cases, yes. Elderly dependent parents may apply if they can prove financial and emotional dependency on their child living in Ireland.

You must register with your local immigration office and receive a residence permit. Depending on your visa type, you may also be eligible to work.

Yes. After staying in Ireland legally for a number of years (usually 5), you may apply for Stamp 4 or Long-Term Residency and eventually for Irish citizenship.

Reunite with Your Loved Ones in Ireland

Family is everything. Whether you’re joining your spouse, children, or elderly parents in Ireland, it’s important to choose the right visa path and prepare your application with care.

Let Expert Consultants guide you through every step of the Join Family Visa process. Visit today to schedule a free consultation and begin your journey toward reuniting with your loved ones in Ireland.