De Facto Partner Visa
If you are in a committed relationship with an Irish citizen, you may qualify for the De Facto Partner Visa. This program enables partners to join their loved ones and live together legally in Ireland.
Non-EEA nationals in a long-term relationship with an Irish resident holding a valid employment permit can also apply. The visa provides the opportunity to reside in Ireland while maintaining a genuine, continuing partnership with your sponsor.
Table of Content:
Understanding De Facto Partnership
A de facto partner refers to someone in a genuine, long-term relationship with a person, including same-sex couples, without being married or in a civil partnership. To qualify, your relationship must meet the following conditions:
- You share a committed, marriage-like relationship in practice, though not legally married.
- You have cohabited for at least two years.
- Your relationship is genuine, ongoing, and not familial.
Whether your partner is an Irish, UK, EEA, Swiss citizen, or a non-EEA work permit holder, this visa may allow you to live together in Ireland. Processing times generally range between four and six months.
Benefits of the De Facto Visa
The type of visa and employment permissions depend on your partner’s status:
- If your partner is an Irish citizen: You receive a Stamp 4, allowing you to live and work in Ireland without a separate employment permit.
- If your partner is a non-EEA critical skills permit holder: You receive Stamp 1G, which allows employment without a work permit.
- If your partner is a non-EEA general skills permit holder: You receive Stamp 3, allowing residency but requiring a separate permit to work.
The duration of your permission aligns with your partner’s permit validity if they are a work permit holder.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- You are a non-EEA national legally resident in the State
- You are in a relationship with an Irish, UK or non-EEA national legally resident in the State
- You and your partner intend to live together permanently in Ireland
- If your partner is a non-EEA national, s/he must hold a Stamp 1, Stamp 4 or Stamp 5 Irish residence permission to qualify as an eligible sponsor
- If your partner is a non-EEA national and holds a Stamp 2 or Stamp 3 Irish residence permission, then s/he does not qualify as an eligible sponsor
- You must be able to provide evidence of a durable relationship with your partner and proof of cohabitation of at least two years on the date of application. Evidence that you and your partner have visited each other as often as you can during these two years will not be sufficient in itself to demonstrate a committed de facto relationship
- You are living with your partner at the time of the application. If you are not living together, you are required to give compelling reasons as to why your application should be granted
- Your partner is a resident of Ireland and is self-sufficient. Neither of you must be on social welfare benefits, and both must be able to support yourselves and any dependents financially without recourse to public funds
- You and your partner are of good character and obey Irish laws
- You are covered by private medical insurance
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Have any Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after I apply?
Once your application is submitted, it will undergo a detailed verification process. The decision typically takes 4 to 6 months to be finalized.
My application has been refused. Can I appeal?
If your application is refused, the Department of Justice will notify you by letter, explaining the reasons for refusal and whether you are eligible to appeal. In some cases, such as providing false or misleading information, an appeal may not be permitted.
The appeal process is free of charge and must be submitted within eight weeks from the date of the refusal letter. You can appeal by addressing the reasons for refusal and providing any additional supporting documents if necessary.