The granting of an Irish visa is, in effect, only a form of pre-entry clearance. It does not grant permission to enter Ireland. Immigration Officers have authority to grant or deny admission. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry. They should therefore carry with them, for possible presentation to Immigration Officers, the originals or copies of the documents submitted with their applications.

Visa applicants require a valid visa each time they enter the State, including entry via the UK. This also applies to persons who have current permission to reside in the State.

A visa does not grant permission to stay in Ireland. The date of validity shown on the visa indicates only the date before which it must be presented to an Immigration Officer. The length of stay is decided by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry. Irish law does not provide for a permanent residence visa.

A visa holder who remains in the State longer than the permitted period and / or who submitted false or misleading information in support of his / her application may become liable for prosecution and / or subject to deportation.

Travel tickets should be not booked or paid for by applicants until their applications have been approved.

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
DUBLIN
FEBRUARY 2000

Applying For a Visa to Ireland – Documentation Required

NOTE: These requirements are intended to act as a guideline only and do not limit the discretion of the visa officer in determining individual applications.

They are subject to change as we continue in our efforts to provide a more efficient service to our customers. You should therefore regularly check for the most recent version which will have the date of implementation in the top right-hand corner.

The onus is on the applicant to satisfy the visa officer that a visa should be granted. It is up to you to supply the necessary information to help the visa officer reach that decision.

Please refer to the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs www.dfa.ie for information on where to obtain an application form, the fees involved, and where to submit your application.

Your application may have to be referred by your local Irish Embassy or Consulate to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in Dublin, and it can take some weeks for post to arrive from many countries.

Visa applications will be processed in the fastest possible time following their arrival in the Visa Section in Dublin. However, to avoid delays in the issue of your visa, it is strongly advised that all applications are made at least EIGHT WEEKS prior to expected departure date, and that ALL supporting documentation is included with your application.

There now follows an outline of the minimum requirements for all visa applications. When you have read this section, you should then examine the more detailed requirements for the particular category of visa for which you are applying.

Original documents should be submitted. Where these are not in English they should be accompanied by a notarised translation. All documents must be clear and legible.

ALL documentation listed must be submitted with your application form.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THAT DO NOT INCLUDE ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION, OR ARE ACCOMPANIED BY POOR QUALITY, ILLEGIBLE OR NON-TRANSLATED DOCUMENTS, WILL BE REFUSED.

The visa officer may request further information from you before making a decision. However, you will not be contacted if you submit an incomplete or unsigned application and do not abide by these requirements – your application will be refused.

Additional Important Information

The website:  www.justice.ie clearly outlines the requirements for most of the visa categories applied for.  It is very important to provide ALL the listed documents.

Important information

Original application forms should be submitted – i.e. top sheet       with original photo.

• Application forms can not be faxed
• Form MUST be signed and dated by applicant. An unsigned application form is not valid, and will not be accepted by any Mission. Any unsigned forms will be returned to the applicant, and not forwarded to INIS.
• For children under 18, the parent or guardian may sign on their behalf.
• All other applicants must sign their own form – no-one can sign on their behalf.
• For short-term stays (‘C’ Visas), passports must be valid for 6  months after the intended date of departure from Ireland.  Applications will not be accepted if the validity on the passports are not in order. For Study, Employment, or Join Family applications, the passport will need to be valid for at least 12 months.
• ALL documentation listed under each category is required, and MUST be submitted with each application.  Failure to adhere to this requirement may result in refusal of application
• All documents provided need to be the originals
• All documents forwarded to INIS MUST be in ENGLISH, or accompanied by a notarised translation of same.
• Very important:  All documents forwarded to INIS MUST be in ENGLISH, or accompanied by a notarised translation of same.
• Consent from parents/guardians of all minors under the age of 18 years is required when both parents are not travelling with the minor All documents forwarded to INIS MUST be in ENGLISH, or accompanied by a notarised translation of same. This consent must be accompanied by a notarised English translation.
  Such cases would include applications where the minor is:
  • travelling as part of a group to attend/participate in an event
  • travelling without parents to stay with relatives/friends/host family
  • travelling with one parent only, and other parent is not residing in Ireland
  • travelling with one parent, resident in Ireland, while other parent remains in own country
• The original of the Birth certificate for the minor should be enclosed
• In cases of guardianship, relevant agreement/court order granting such guardianship should be submitted.
• Where parents are separated/divorced, access and custodial agreements regarding the minor should be sought.

MINIMUM DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED WITH ALL VISA APPLICATIONS

• Your application form should be fully completed. No question should be left blank.
• You must sign the form yourself – nobody can sign it on your behalf. (Except in the case of a child under 18, whereby the parent(s) may sign on behalf of child).
• UNSIGNED APPLICATIONS WILL BE REFUSED
• Where a child under the age of 18 is travelling alone, the consent of both parents/guardians is required. If the child is travelling with one parent, the consent of the other parent is required. Where only one parent has total custody and access rights, official evidence of this must be provided.
• ALL DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED MUST BE IN ENGLISH
• Where they are in any other language, the original document should be submitted, along with a notarised translation of same. Failure to provide translated documents will lead to your application being refused.
• At the time of your visa application you must possess a passport which is valid for 6 months after the date you propose to leave Ireland. Applications submitted without such a passport cannot be considered.
• For applications for long-term stays such as employment, study, or joining your spouse, it is advisable that your passport should be valid for at least 12 months. If you are permitted to remain in Ireland for more than 3 months you must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. The charge for registration is €100 each time. It is therefore in your own interest to have a passport which is valid for at least 12 months.
• If your passport is relatively new, it may assist your application if you provide your previous passport showing any previous visas for any other country, and your previous travel history.
• All visa applicants must be able to show evidence that they can support themselves for the duration of their stay in Ireland without recourse to public funds or resources.
• A detailed bank statement, showing sufficient funds, and covering the immediate 6 month period prior to submitting a visa application should be submitted. Lump sum lodgements made in the run up to an application being made are not taken into consideration when assessing a person’s ability to support themselves.
• For all categories of visa applications it will be necessary to include details of any other family members presently in Ireland, or any other EU State.
• Details of any previous visa applications for Ireland made by you MUST be given

Below please find a list of documents required under the various categories of visas, bearing in mind that the above requirements apply to each of these categories also.

Please ensure ALL documentation listed under the relevant category is included with your application.

FAILURE TO INCLUDE ALL LISTED DOCUMENTATION WILL RESULT IN THE REFUSAL OF YOUR APPLICATION.

THE PROVISION OF FALSE, FRAUDULENT OR MISLEADING INFORMATION WILL RESULT IN REFUSAL AND NO APPEAL WILL BE PERMITTED.

General information on Visa Categories.

The main categories of visas are:

• Visits/Holidays
• Business
• Business Permission
• Conference
• Performances
• Training
• Exam
• Fully Registered Doctor
• Temporary Registered Doctor
• Researchers
• Employment
• Join Spouse/Parent on Work Permit
• Family Member of Irish National
• Family Member of EU/EEA/Swiss National
• Family Reunification for Refugees
• Medical Treatment

Please note that this is only a guideline – more info can be obtained from the website:  www.embassyireland.org.za

Visit/Holiday Visa

NOTE: Visit/Holiday visas are granted ONLY for short term stays. The duration of stay is determined by an Immigration Officer at the Port of Entry, but will never exceed a maximum of 90 days.

It is not possible to extend your stay beyond 90 days.

You must leave the State on or before the date which has been stamped on your passport by the Immigration Officer. (The dates on your visa refer to the dates during which you can seek to enter the State)

Documents Required:  Please submit all documents listed here

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for 6 months after your intended date of departure from the State
• Full details of the reason for your visit – e.g. to visit family, friends, etc
• If you intend staying in hotel accommodation, confirmation of booking from the hotel
• A letter of invitation from your reference in Ireland confirming accommodation will be provided for duration of your visit.
• A written undertaking both from yourself and your reference that you will observe the conditions of your visa, that you will not become a burden on the State, and that you will leave the State on the expiration of your permission to remain
• NOTE: Failure to observe the conditions of your visa, or to overstay will have implications for any future visa applications you make, or may have implications for your reference
• Details of how you are known to, or related to your reference, and supporting evidence of this
• If your reference is not an Irish citizen, evidence of their permission to remain in Ireland –  a copy of their GNIB card and copy of their passport showing Immigration stamps
• Evidence of how you intend to finance your trip and support yourself for the duration of your visit, allowing for any unforeseen events such as illness – a detailed bank statement covering a 6 month period immediately prior to your visa application, and showing sufficient funds to cover all costs is required
• NOTE: It is advisable that you have medical/travel insurance to cover you for the duration of your proposed visit to the State
• If your reference in Ireland is supporting you, they must supply a detailed 6 month bank statement for the period immediately prior to your visa application showing sufficient funds to support you for the duration of your stay
• Lump sum lodgements made shortly before your visa application will not be considered
• Evidence of your obligations to return to your country of permanent residence –
  • If you are employed, a letter from your employer stating how long you have been employed there, the dates you will be on annual leave from, and the date you will be returning to work in that employment
  • 3 consecutive payslips
  • If you are a student, a letter from your college outlining what course you are pursuing, how many years you have been a student there, how many years/terms you have left at that college, and that you will be returning there following your visit to Ireland
    
    
• NOTE: All letters submitted should be on official company headed paper and give full contact details for verification purposes. These must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in company, telephone number (landline) and email address where relevant. (Email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted). Website address should also be included, if available.
  • If you own property, or rent accommodation, evidence of this can be submitted in support of your obligations to return home following your visit
  • Details of any family members residing in your country of permanent residence
  • If you are married or have children under 18, and your spouse or children are remaining at home, you should submit your marriage cert and birth certs for the children
• For group tours, your itinerary and booking receipts are also required
• If visiting another State prior to travelling to Ireland, the relevant visa for that State must be obtained before applying for your Irish visa.

ALL OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION

ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE IN ENGLISH OR ACCOMPANIED BY A NOTARISED TRANSLATION

NOTE: THE PROVISION OF ALL THE DOCUMENTATION LISTED IN NO WAY GUARANTEES THAT A VISA WILL BE GRANTED.

Business Visa

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for 6 months after your intended date of departure from the State
• A letter from your employer confirming you are undertaking this trip on the Company’s behalf, the purpose of the visit, dates, and outlining who will be responsible for the full costs of the trip – travel, accommodation, expenses etc.
• Your employer should also confirm that you will be returning to that employment following the visit
• A letter from the Irish company confirming the visit, dates, reasons for visit, details of who will meet costs of trip, accommodation details, and full contact details

NOTE: All letters submitted should be on official company headed paper and give full contact details for verification purposes. These must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in company, telephone number (landline) and email address where relevant. (Email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted). Website address should also be included, if available.

• Evidence of a prior link between both companies, and evidence of communications between them regarding this visit would be helpful
• If you are responsible for the costs of this trip, evidence of your personal finances in the form of a detailed bank statement covering a 6 month period will be required
• You must also explain why you are undertaking this trip at your own expense

ALL OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION

ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE IN ENGLISH OR ACCOMPANIED BY A NOTARISED TRANSLATION

Business Permission

If you intend coming to Ireland to establish a business, you must apply to the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform for permission to do so.

This MUST be done prior to applying for a visa as an application for a Business Permission Visa cannot be considered prior to the permission of the Minister being obtained.

This request for Business Permission should be addressed to Business Permission Section, Immigration Division, Dept of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

Once you have obtained this permission you should then submit your visa application:

• Fully complete and signed application form
• Passport valid for at least 12 months
• Business Permission letter from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Conference Visa

Note to Conference Organisers

When organising a conference at which you expect to have delegates/attendees from visa required countries, (see ‘Ireland Visa Requirements’ on our website www.justice.ie for information), it is imperative that arrangements for the issuance of visas are made in adequate time.

It is recommended that you notify the visa office well in advance, by e-mail at visamail@justice.ie, giving full details of the conference and where possible, a list of the delegates that wish to attend.

This list should clearly indicate guest speakers and other delegates whose attendance at the conference is vital. If conference organisers can vouch for the bona-fides of any delegates, please give full details.

here you have simply been contacted by someone who obtained your details via a website, you should also inform the visa office of this and we will decide the merits of the application based on all information submitted.

Requirements from Prospective Conference Delegates

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for 6 months after your intended date of departure from the State
• Letter from conference host confirming you will be attending conference, details of the nature, dates, place & duration of conference, and that registration fees (where relevant) have been paid.
• Letter from your employer or Association confirming your attendance, and outlining the relevance of the conference to your employment or involvement in your Association.
• Evidence from both your employer and conference host showing who will be responsible for all costs including travel, accommodation, expenses etc.
• If you are paying these costs yourself, a detailed bank statement covering a 6 month period immediately prior to your application is required
• You should also explain why you are attending this conference at your own expense
• Evidence of your obligations to return to your country of permanent residence following the conference – letter from your employer/college showing the date of expected return etc

NOTE: All letters submitted should be on official company headed paper and give full contact details for verification purposes. These must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in company, telephone number (landline) and email address where relevant. (Email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted). Website address should also be included, if available.

ALL OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION

ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE IN ENGLISH OR ACCOMPANIED BY A NOTARISED TRANSLATION

NOTE: THE PROVISION OF ALL THE DOCUMENTATION LISTED IN NO WAY GUARANTEES THAT A VISA WILL BE GRANTED.

Performers

Note to Event Organisers

When organising an event at which you intend to have a visa-required national perform, (see ‘Ireland Visa Requirements’ on our website www.justice.ie for information), it is imperative that arrangements for the issuance of work permits and visas are made in adequate time.

You should contact the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (www.entemp.ie) regarding a work permit.

NOTE: The issuance of a work permit does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The applicant will still need to satisfy the visa officer that a visa should be issued, and the minimum requirements listed below must be met.

It is recommended that you notify the visa office well in advance, by e-mail at visamail@justice.ie giving full details of the event, schedule and dates of performances.

The reasons for engaging this particular performer/act, how they came to your attention, if you can vouch for the bona-fides of the person/group – what checks you have carried out to enable you to do so, should also be given.

Please also state who is responsible for covering travel and accommodation costs, and living expenses for the duration of the performer’s stay in the State.

Requirements from Prospective Performers

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for 6 months after your intended date of departure from the State
• A valid work permit or written confirmation from the Department of Enterprise Trade & Employment in Ireland that a work permit will issue, or is not required
• Schedule of dates and performances
• Letter from your hosts in Ireland giving details of the festival/event, and confirmation that you are scheduled to perform. Details of the background on how your hosts came to know about you, and engage you for this event will also help in making a decision on your application
• Letter from your employer/organisation in your home country or country of permanent residence confirming your attendance at this event, and giving background details about your group/act, including evidence of past performances both in your own country and others.
• Evidence of previous travel history to similar events will assist your application
• Evidence of your obligations to return to your country of permanent residence – letter from your employer/college giving the dates you will return
• Evidence of how trip will be funded – who will cover costs of travel, accommodation and expenses

NOTE: All letters submitted should be on official company headed paper and give full contact details for verification purposes. These must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in company, telephone number (landline) and email address where relevant. (Email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted). Website address should also be included, if available.

ALL OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION
ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE IN ENGLISH OR ACCOMPANIED BY A NOTARISED TRANSLATION

Training Visa

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for 6 months after your intended date of departure from the State
• A letter from your employer giving the reasons for, and duration of training, details of where in Ireland training will take place (name of company etc), full contact details for your company, and the name and contact details of the contact person in the host company
• A letter from the Irish company confirming the nature, dates and duration of training, including full contact details
• Evidence from both companies of who will be responsible for all costs, including training costs, travel, accommodation, and expenses
• Evidence of your obligations to return to your country of permanent residence at the end of the training period – letter from your employer confirming your return to the company

NOTE: All letters submitted should be on official company headed paper and give full contact details for verification purposes. These must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in company, telephone number (landline) and email address where relevant. (Email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted). Website address should also be included, if available.

• If all costs are not met by either company, evidence of your personal finances – detailed bank statement covering a 6 month period immediately prior to your visa application
• You should also explain why you are undertaking this training at your own expense

ALL OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION

ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE IN ENGLISH OR ACCOMPANIED BY A NOTARISED TRANSLATION

NOTE: THE PROVISION OF ALL THE DOCUMENTATION LISTED IN NO WAY GUARANTEES THAT A VISA WILL BE GRANTED.

Exam Visa

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for 6 months after your intended date of departure from the State
• Letter of acceptance of registration for exam from the school/college, confirming the nature and dates of examination
• Evidence that the requisite fees have been paid – official receipt from college required
• Qualification Certificates
• Evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself for the duration of your stay, including travel costs, accommodation and expenses.
• Detailed bank statements covering the 6 month period immediately prior to your application and 4 recent payslips should be submitted
• Evidence of your obligations to return to your country of permanent residence – letter from your employer confirming your current employment status – how long you have been employed, and the date of expected return to work

NOTE: All letters submitted should be on official company headed paper and give full contact details for verification purposes. These must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in company, telephone number (landline) and email address where relevant. (Email addresses such as Yahoo or Hotmail are not accepted). Website address should also be included, if available.

ALL OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION

ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE IN ENGLISH OR ACCOMPANIED BY A NOTARISED TRANSLATION

NOTE: THE PROVISION OF ALL THE DOCUMENTATION LISTED IN NO WAYGUARANTEES THAT A VISA WILL BE GRANTED

Religious Visas

• Fully completed, and signed, application form
• Passport
• Letter from you Order in country of residence, confirming their position, and the duration and purpose your trip to Ireland.
• Letter from the Order in Ireland, confirming the purpose of the trip, that accommodation and maintenance will be provided for the duration of their stay.
• When the trip is for a full time course of studies: 
  • Letter from the Order
  • Letter of acceptance from the College in Ireland.
  • If sponsored by the Church in you country, confirmation from the relevant Church authorities in Ireland that this funding has been available to you.

Fully Registered Doctor

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for at least 12 months
• Valid Work Permit
• Full Medical Council Registration Certificate

Interview with Medical Council for Purpose of Obtaining Temporary Registration Certificate

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for at least 12 months
• Letter from the Medical Council stating eligibility for temporary registration
• Letter from hospital in Ireland confirming offer of employment

Temporary Registered Doctor

If you are already registered with the Medical Council and now wish to travel to Ireland to take up an offer of employment please submit:

• Fully completed and signed application form
• Passport, valid for at least 12 months
• Medical Council Registration Book showing current registration
• Letter from hospital in Ireland confirming employment contract details

Temporary Registered Doctors

• Interview with Medical Council for Purpose of Obtaining Temporary Registration Certificate
  • Fully completed and signed application form
  • Passport, valid for a least 12 months
  • Letter from the Medical Council stating eligibility for temporary registration
  • Letter from hospital in Ireland confirming offer of employment.
• “Temporary Registered Doctor” (if you are already registered with the Medical Council and now wish to travel to Ireland to take up an offer of employment, please submit:
  • Fully completed and signed application form
  • Passport, valid for at least 12 months
  • Medical Council Registration Book showing current registration
  • Letter from hospital in Ireland confirming employment contract details
    

Family Reunification for Migrant Workers
 
NOTE: These requirements are intended to act as a guideline only and do not limit the discretion of the visa officer in determining individual applications.

They are subject to change as we continue in our efforts to provide a more efficient service to our customers. You should therefore regularly check for the most recent version which will have the date of implementation in the top right-hand corner.

Please also see the link to ‘Documentation to Accompany a Visa Application’

The following information outlines the minimum documentation you must submit with your application for a visa for the purposes of family reunification with a sponsor.  Please read it carefully.

Original documents are required and must be in ENGLISH or accompanied by a notarised translation of same.

All documents must be clearly legible. The Visa Officer will need to easily identify what they are and to whom they refer.

Any unsigned declarations, false information, forged or fraudulent documentation will result in the refusal of your application and no appeal will be permitted.

The onus is on you, the applicant, to satisfy the Visa Officer that a visa should be granted.

In applying for a Visa for the purposes of family reunification you must be able to show that:

• You are the spouse of a qualifying sponsor whose marriage is subsisting on the date of your application.

OR

• You are the dependent unmarried child of the sponsor under the age of 18 years.

AND

• That the qualifying sponsor fulfils the minimum income requirement where relevant.

Definition of a qualifying sponsor

• A qualifying sponsor is a non-EEA national who has a valid work permit and has been in employment for at least twelve months prior to the date of application.  He/she must be in full time employment on the date of application and have an income above the threshold which would qualify the family for payment under the Family Income Supplement (FIS) Scheme administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs – www.welfare.ie

OR

• A qualifying sponsor is a non-EEA national who has a valid work permit and has been in employment for at least thirty six months prior to the date of application.  He/she must be in full time employment on the date of application.

OR

• has a valid work permit and is either in full-time employment in Ireland within the specific skills sectors outlined in Schedule A of this scheme on the date of application or has an offer of full-time employment in Ireland in the specific skills sectors outlined in Schedule A of this scheme

OR

• has a valid Working Visa and is either in full-time employment in Ireland within the skill sector for which the visa was issued on the date of application or has an offer of full-time employment for the skill sector for which the visa was issued.
• A qualifying sponsor may only sponsor an application from one spouse

There now follows an explanation of what will be accepted as evidence for the above requirements. Please ensure you read this carefully and submit ALL documents with your application. Again, it is important that these are original, clearly legible documents, in English, or accompanied by a notarised translation. They should clearly indicate what they are and to whom they refer.

Evidence of Relationship to the Qualifying Sponsor

• Where you are the spouse of qualifying sponsor you must provide a marriage certificate.

NOTE: If you and your spouse have not resided together since your marriage, you must also supply the following:

• A full account of relationship history – e.g. when and where you met, evidence of your spouse having travelled to your country of residence on a number of occasions, and any other information you can provide to support your application
• Please note that for Immigration purposes it is not sufficient for a relationship to have developed solely over the internet or by telephone/sms. A relationship must include a number face to face meetings (excluding webcam) between the parties. You must satisfy the visa officer that the relationship is bona-fide.
• Where the applicant is the dependent child (under 18 years) of a qualifying sponsor you must provide evidence of the relationship such as a birth certificate, adoption papers or the like.

Parental Consent

• Where both you and your spouse are the parents of this child, but only one of you will be residing in Ireland, the written consent of your spouse, permitting your child to join you, will be required.
• If you wish a child (under 18 years) from a previous marriage or relationship to travel with you, or join you in Ireland, evidence that you have been given full custody and access rights to this child must be shown (Court Order)
• Where the other parent of this child has some custody or access rights, a sworn affidavit by this parent consenting to the child being removed from their home country is required
• Sponsors and Family Members may be required to present DNA evidence, obtained at their own expense and certified to the satisfaction of the Minister, in support of their claims to be related.  Such evidence will not be sought unreasonably.

Evidence of Finances

If the qualifying sponsor has been resident in Ireland for less than thirty six months, you must show you have sufficient funds to support yourself in Ireland without recourse to the Family Income Supplement.  However, in all cases your application must be accompanied by:

• A copy of the contract of employment of the qualifying sponsor running for at least one year after the date of application and indicating the annual salary
• Where the qualifying sponsor is required to have been resident in the State before being eligible to be joined by his/her family members, a P60 showing his/her taxable earnings in the most recent tax year and 3 recent consecutive payslips.
• Where no evidence is provided your application will be refused

Further Information You Must Consider

Passport

• Your passport must be valid for at least one year from the date the application is received.
• If you hold any previous passport, you should also submit this with your application
• Your application should also be accompanied by a clear copy of the passport of the qualifying sponsor showing his or her permission to be in the State
• Where the qualifying sponsor is required to have been resident in the State before being eligible to be joined by his/her family members, a copy of their current GNIB registration card should be included with the application.

Decisions

• The processing times for Visa Applications vary depending on the volume of applications lodged, and the time it takes for an application to reach the Visa section in Dublin from the Embassy in which it was lodged
• You should allow as much time as possible when applying for a visa but a minimum time of 8 weeks is recommended
• The Visa Section will endeavour to have your application assessed as soon as possible
• Visa decisions are published weekly on our website – www.justice.ie. You can check a decision by entering the Visa Reference Number that issues to you

Right of Appeal

• If you are refused a visa you may appeal this decision within 2 months
• Appeals must be submitted in writing to: The Visa Appeals Officer, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2
• Your appeal should fully address all the reasons for which your application was refused. Any additional supporting documentation should be submitted with your appeal for consideration
• You must quote your Visa Reference Number on your appeal, along with your name and nationality
• There is no fee payable for appealing a visa refusal decision
• There will be no appeal allowed if you are found to have given false or misleading information in any part of your application, or submitted false, forged or fraudulent documentation

If You Are Granted A Visa for the purposes of Family Reunification

Arrival in the State

• If your application for a visa has been approved, the Embassy to which you applied will affix a visa to your passport
• The dates entered on your visa indicate the dates between which you may enter the State
• It is important to note that a visa is a form of pre-entry clearance to the State only, and does not guarantee that you will be permitted to enter or remain in the State
• Immigration Officers at the point of entry are entitled to question any person on arrival. If they are not satisfied with the bona-fides of any person, or their reasons for wishing to enter the State, they have the right to deny entry to any such person, despite the fact they hold a valid visa
• It is recommended that you have supporting documentation related to your application to present to the Immigration Officer on disembarkation from your flight

Registration and Permission to Remain

• If you intend staying in Ireland for more than 90 days, it is a requirement that you register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) either at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, or the Immigration Officer in area in which you are residing.
• There is a charge of €100 payable each time you register, therefore it is advisable that your passport is valid for at least 12 months on arrival in the State.

Re-entry Visas

• The initial visa issued to you will be valid for a single entry to the State
• If you have a valid reason for leaving the State for a short period of time you must apply, in advance of making any arrangements, to the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service, Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Re-entry Visa Office, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 for a re-entry visa. Check the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform website for details – www.justice.ie
• Before a re-entry visa can be issued, you must be registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau
•  It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa (where relevant) for the country you intend travelling to
• NOTE: A visa must be obtained from the UK authorities prior to travelling to Northern Ireland (Northern Ireland consists of Counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone)

Eligibility for Employment

• A family member of a worker issued a visa for the purposes of family reunification may be entitled to work subject to the issuance of a work permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Check their website for details – www.entemp.ie

Schedule A

Information and Computing Professionals

• Information and computing technologies professionals
• Information and computing technologies technicians

Construction Professionals

• Architects, including architectural technicians/technologists
• Construction engineers, including engineering technicians
• Quantity surveyors and Building surveyors 
• Town planners;

Medical Professionals

• Medical Practitioners
• Registered Nurses
• Registered Midwives
• Dentists

The following specified professionals in the Public Health and Social Care sectors, including voluntary bodies:

• Diagnostic or Therapeutic Radiographer
• Audiologist
• Dietician
• Social Worker
• Occupational Therapist
• Medical Scientist
• Orthoptist
• Physiotherapist
• Medical Physicist
• Hospital Pharmacist
• Psychologist
• ECG Technician
• Speech and Language Therapist
• Neuropsychological Measurement Technician
• Biochemist
• Vascular Technician
• Respiratory Technician
• Cardiac Catheterisation Technician
• GI Ffunction Technicians

The current visa processing fee is R540. This is not refundable should your application be unsuccessful.