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Moving to Ireland to live with your husband, wife or long-term partner is a big life step. The rules can look complex, but they follow a clear logic: first, who your partner is (Irish citizen, EU/EEA/Swiss citizen living in Ireland, or a non-EEA resident in Ireland); second, whether you need a visa to travel; and third, what permission you get after arrival. This guide uses plain English. It explains every spouse/partner route, the forms you actually fill, what documents to prepare, timelines, FAQs, and a clean disclaimer at the end.

1) The headline picture (how Ireland treats spouses and partners)

  • If your spouse/partner is Irish, you usually apply for a Long-Stay “D” Join Family visa (if you are from a visa-required country) or preclearance if you are a de-facto partner. After arrival and registration, you normally receive Stamp 4, which lets you live and work without an employment permit. 
  • If your spouse/partner is EU/EEA/Swiss (not Irish) and is living in Ireland while exercising EU Treaty rights (working, self-employed, studying with resources, or self-sufficient), you apply under EU Treaty Rights for a Residence Card as their family member (spouse/civil/de-facto). 
  • If your spouse/partner is a non-EEA resident in Ireland (for example, on Stamp 1 work permission or Stamp 4), you use the Join Family route for non-EEA or non-Swiss sponsors lawfully resident in Ireland.

Note: UK citizens have special Common Travel Area rules; some families still use EU Treaty Rights if rights were exercised before the Brexit transition, and newer cases follow different arrangements. The official EU Treaty Rights page explains the distinctions.

2) Visa “types” you’ll see in practice (spouse/partner routes)

A) Spouse or Civil Partner of an Irish citizen— Long-Stay D Join Family

This is the classic “spouse visa” most people ask about. If you’re visa-required, you apply for a D visa to travel. If you are not visa-required, you still need to meet the same conditions and will register after entry. Once permission is granted and you register, you typically get Stamp 4 (right to work without a permit).

B) De-facto partner of an Irish citizen — Preclearance then Long-Stay D

If you’re not married or in a civil partnership but you live together in a durable relationship, Ireland treats you as de-facto partners. Most de-facto partners need preclearance first (and, if visa-required, a D visa as well). After you arrive and register, your permission normally aligns with Stamp 4.

C) Spouse/partner of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen living in Ireland — EU Treaty Rights

If your spouse/partner is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (not Irish) who is living in Ireland and exercising EU Treaty rights, you apply in Ireland for a Residence Card as a family member. The official portal uses forms like EUTR 1 (qualifying family) or EUTR 1A (permitted family).

D) Spouse/partner of a non-EEA resident in Ireland (e.g., work permit holder) — Long-Stay D Join Family

Your sponsor is already in Ireland on a valid permission (for example Stamp 1/4). You apply for a D Join Family visa (if visa-required), travel, then register your permission locally.

3) Forms and systems you actually use

The online application (AVATS) — for Visas/Preclearance

Most Long-Stay D visa and preclearance applications start on AVATS (the official online system). You fill the form online, print the summary, and follow the instructions for document submission and biometrics.

Registration after arrival — your Stamp and IRP

After approval and entry, you must register your permission (BRG Burgh Quay Dublin or local office) to receive your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) and the correct Stamp (often Stamp 4 for spouses/qualified partners).

EU Treaty Rights (if your spouse/partner is EU/EEA/Swiss) — ISD Customer Portal

You apply in Ireland, online, using the ISD Customer Portal (desktop) and select the relevant EUTR form (e.g., EUTR 1A for permitted family). You then register your permission if approved.

4) What to prepare (evidence pack that actually helps)

Think in four piles:

1. Identity & civil status

  • Passports; marriage/civil partnership certificate (if married); divorce/annulment papers if relevant; birth certificates for any dependent children.

2. Proof of relationship

  • For married couples: wedding photos, proof of life together (bills, joint tenancy, bank statements to same address, travel together).
  • For de-facto partners: very important — show a durable relationship with cohabitation evidence across time (rental, bills, joint accounts, letters, travel). The de-facto policy and the ISD pages explain what counts.

3.Sponsor’s status in Ireland

  • If your partner is Irish: their Irish passport/naturalisation certificate.
  • If EU/EEA/Swiss: evidence they are working/self-employed/studying/self-sufficient in Ireland (EU Treaty rights). 
  • If non-EEA resident: their current permission and IRP details.

4. Other requirements

  • Where relevant: TB screening (if your nationality/country of residence requires it), police clearances if asked, and translations per ISD rules.
  • Be ready to register quickly after arrival so there’s no gap in your permission. 

5) Step-by-step (Spouse/Civil Partner of an Irish citizen)

  1. Start on AVATS (choose Long-Stay “D” — Join Family; if de-facto, select the preclearance route as instructed). Print the summary sheet.
  2. Prepare documents as above, including strong, date-spread evidence of your relationship.
  3. Submit your package to the visa office/embassy/VAC named on your AVATS summary, within 30 days. Attend biometrics if required.
  4. Decision: if approved, you receive a D visa (or a preclearance letter + D visa where required).
  5. Travel to Ireland, then register your permission. Spouses/approved de-facto partners of Irish citizens are commonly granted Stamp 4, which lets you work without an employment permit

6) Step-by-step (Spouse/Partner of an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen in Ireland)

  1. Make sure your EU/EEA/Swiss spouse/partner is in Ireland and exercising Treaty rights (work, self-employed, study with resources, or self-sufficient).
  2. You must be in Ireland to apply under EU Treaty Rights.
  3. Open the ISD Customer Portal → choose the correct EUTR application (e.g., EUTR 1 / EUTR 1A) and upload evidence of relationship and your partner’s Treaty-rights activity.
  4. If approved, you receive a Residence Card and then register your permission (you’ll be told what stamp applies).

7) If your spouse/partner is a non-EEA resident in Ireland

  • You use the Long-Stay “D” — Join Family visa route. The step sequence is similar to the Irish-citizen route, but the sponsor shows their current legal residence (e.g., Stamp 1 or Stamp 4) and finances/housing as required.

8) Working rights: what stamp usually means

  • Stamp 4: permission to live and work without an employment permit. This is the typical outcome for spouses or approved de-facto partners of Irish citizens after registration.
  • Other stamps may apply in certain categories (for example, some dependants are given Stamp 3 with no automatic work right), but spouse/partner of Irish citizens commonly receive Stamp 4.

9) Timelines and decisions

  • Processing times vary by season and office. ISD publishes visa decision updates, and it warns that times can fluctuate. Do not buy tickets before a decision.

10) Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

  • Thin evidence: don’t just send a wedding album. Prove day-to-day life together with bills, bank letters, tenancy, and date-spread mail to the same address.
  • Wrong route: don’t mix up EU Treaty Rights with Irish-citizen routes; the tests are different. Use the Irish citizen join-family page if your spouse is Irish; use EU Treaty Rights only for non-Irish EU/EEA/Swiss sponsors. ([Immigration Service Delivery][1])
  • Skipping preclearance for de-facto cases: most de-facto partners must get preclearance first. Check the policy and the ISD page. ([Immigration Service Delivery][4])
  • Late registration: once you arrive with approval, register promptly so there’s no gap in permission. ([Immigration Service Delivery][8])

11) Simple, step-by-step checklist you can copy

  • Confirm which sponsor category you fit (Irish citizen / EU-EEA-Swiss citizen in Ireland / non-EEA resident in Ireland).
  • If you’re visa-required (check your nationality), start your AVATS application and generate the summary sheet.
  • If you’re a de-facto partner of an Irish citizen, start preclearance (and, if visa-required, your D visa in parallel).
  • Gather relationship proof across time (rental, bills, bank, travel, photos labelled with dates).
  • Gather sponsor proof: Irish passport or evidence of Treaty rights or current Irish permission and IRP.
  • Submit your documents within 30 days to the office shown on your AVATS summary.
  • On approval, travel within the vignette window (if a visa is placed in your passport).
  • Register after arrival and collect the correct Stamp on your IRP.

12) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. I’m married to an Irish citizen. Do I always need a visa to travel?

No. If your nationality is non-visa-required, you don’t need a visa just to enter, but you still must meet the same rules and register after arrival. Visa-required nationals must apply for a Long-Stay “D” Join Family visa first.

Q2. We’re not married yet — can we apply as de-facto partners?

Yes, if you can prove a durable relationship (cohabitation and shared life). Most de-facto partners of Irish citizens must get preclearance (and, if visa-required, a D visa too) before travelling. 

Q3. What permission lets me work?

Spouses/approved de-facto partners of Irish citizens typically register on Stamp 4, which does not need an employment permit. Always check your stamp at registration. 

Q4. My spouse is an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen (not Irish) living in Ireland. Do we apply before travel?

EU Treaty Rights applications are made in Ireland. Your EU spouse must be living here and exercising Treaty rights. You submit the EUTR application through the ISD portal while you are in the State.

Q5. How do I start the application online?

Use AVATS for Visas/Preclearance (Long-Stay “D” Join Family, de-facto preclearance).

Q6. How long does it take?

Timelines vary with season and workload. ISD publishes decision updates and warns not to buy tickets before a decision. 

Q7. After I arrive, is there anything else to do?

Yes — register your permission quickly (BRG Burgh Quay or local office) to receive your IRP and Stamp.

Q8. Can I switch or vary my permission later?

If your situation changes (for example, you marry after arriving on another status), you may be able to change/extend your permission; follow the ISD guidance and apply in time.

Q9. We’re joining a non-EEA partner already living in Ireland  what’s different?

It’s still the Join Family route, but your sponsor shows their current Irish permission and that they can support you per policy. 

Q10. Where do I find country-specific visa submission steps?

Check your local Irish embassy/consulate page for where to submit and how to book biometrics. Many missions link back to AVATS but give local instructions. 

13) Short, friendly tips that make a big difference

  • Tell your story with dates. A short relationship timeline (how you met, time living together, travels) helps the officer follow your evidence.
  • Spread your proof. It’s better to show regular mail/bills over 12–24 months than to upload one giant photo dump.
  • Label PDFs clearly. Example: `Tenancy-Bill-NamesAtSameAddress-JanToJun-2024.pdf`.
  • For EU Treaty Rights, make sure your EU/EEA/Swiss spouse is actively working/self-employed/studying/self-sufficient in Ireland and keep proof up to date. 
  • Register quickly after arrival so there’s no gap in permission. Bring originals to registration.

14) Key official links (headings & main points only)

15) Disclaimer (please read)

This guide is for general information only. It is not legal advice. Irish immigration policy can change during the year. The exact process you follow depends on your nationality, your partner’s status (Irish / EU-EEA-Swiss / non-EEA resident), and where you apply from. Before you apply, always check the latest details on the official Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) website and your local Irish embassy/consulate instructions. Key pages include the Join Family (Irish national) page, De-facto partner page, EU Treaty Rights page, AVATS application portal, Stamp types/registration pages, and the visa decisions update page linked above. If your case is complex (previous refusals, limited evidence of cohabitation, change of sponsor status, medical/criminal history, or questions on EU Treaty eligibility), consider getting advice from a qualified immigration adviser or solicitor. Decisions you make based on this article are your responsibility; rely on theofficial links for the final, current requirements. ([Immigration Service Delivery][1])


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