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Please be advised that the Embassy of Ireland, China website has moved and this page is no longer being updated. The Embassy website is now available at Ireland.ie/beijing.

Join Family Member Visa (long-stay)

Important: If you wish to apply for a visa as a family member of an EU citizen exercising or planning to exercise their free movement rights under Directive 2004/38/EC (transposed into Irish law by European Communities (Free movement of Persons) Regulations 2006 and 2008) the appropriate visa type is a Short Stay Visa. Please see webpage on Family Members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens.

1.  Government Policy on Non-EEA Family Reunification

If you wish to come to Ireland to reside for longer than 3 months with a family member who is an Irish citizen or who is lawfully resident in Ireland you can apply for a long stay (join family) visa.

A comprehensive statement of national immigration policy on the area of family reunification is contained in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification published on 31 December 2013.

The policies do not apply to:

  • applications pursuant to Directive 2004/38/EC on the rights of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of Member States.
  • applications for family reunification by recognised refugees or persons granted subsidiary protection.

Before you apply for a long stay (join family) visa please read the Policy Document carefully to find out:

  • who is eligible to be a sponsor for the purposes of an application for family reunification,
  • who may be sponsored and the eligibility requirements,
  • whether waiting periods apply before a person becomes eligible to sponsor,
  • whether a sponsor must achieve a minimum level of earnings prior to being eligible to sponsor,
  • what a person who is granted a join family visa may do in Ireland,
  • how dependency is measured when this is adduced in support of an application for family reunification.

2.  When you can apply

If you wish to come to Ireland to reside for longer than 3 months with a family member who is an Irish citizen or who is permitted to reside in Ireland you can apply for a long stay (join family) single entry or multiple-entry visa.

Visa required nationals who hold a valid IRP/GNIB card no longer need a re-entry visa to travel to Ireland. The IRP/GNIB card and passport are sufficient. You are advised to apply for a multiple-entry visa if you intend to travel outside of Ireland within 4 months of your arrival and while you are awaiting issuance of your IRP card.

Children aged 0-15 are not issued with an IRP/GNIB card. Their parents or guardians will be able to apply for a re-entry visa for them, to ensure that they can travel in and out of Ireland while living here*. This re-entry visa can be applied for when living in Ireland (all other visas must be applied for from outside the State).

*Current information on re-entry visas can be found on here: Irish Immigration.

3.  How to apply

You must apply online for a visa: https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/china/visas/how-to-apply/

When you have completed the online application process, you must follow the instructions on the summary application form that is created by the online system. You will then be directed to the VFS website, https://visa.vfsglobal.com/chn/en/irl/, where you can make an appointment at one of our Visa Application Centres in China. The summary form which you must print, sign and date must be submitted with your supporting documentation at the Visa Application Centre.

You may be required to provide your Biometrics as part of the application process at the Visa Application Centre, please see this link: Biometric Information.

A guide to supporting documentation is set out below.

If you submit any false or misleading information, or false supporting documentation as part of your application, it may result in the refusal of your application without the right of appeal. It may also result in you being prevented from making further Irish visa applications for a period of 5 years.

4.  Fees

For information on the fee that you are required to pay, or to see if you are exempt from the requirement to pay the visa fee please see here: Preclearance and entry visas fees

You will be required to pay additional charges e.g. relating to the submission of your documents (Visa Application Centre fee). Details of these charges are available on the VFS website https://visa.vfsglobal.com/chn/en/irl/.

5.  How long it will take

Applications are processed in date order. You are advised not to purchase travel tickets before you know the outcome of your visa application.

Business targets for the processing of join family visa applications are as follows:

  • Sponsor is an Irish citizen

You can expect that your application will be dealt with within 6 months of receipt of all required documentation.

  • Sponsor is a person who is entitled to apply for immediate family reunification

You can expect that your application will be dealt with within 6 months of receipt of all required documentation.

  •  All other sponsors

You can expect that your application will be dealt with within 12 months of receipt of all required documentation.

These business targets reflect the detailed assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. They in no way constitute a legal obligation or convey any indication that an application not decided within the timeframe will, in default of a decision, be resolved in your favour.

If your application is being processed by the Visa Office, Irish Immigration Service, Department of Justice, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin you can check the date of the applications currently being processed here: Visa Decisions

6.  Supporting documentation

The documents below are important because they provide information about your personal circumstances.

The onus is on you to satisfy the Visa Officer that a visa should be granted for the purpose sought.

The submission of any or all of these documents does not guarantee that your application will be successful.

Original documents must be provided.

If you submit a document that is not in English/Irish, it must be accompanied by a full translation. Each translated document must contain:

  • confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document,
  • the date of the translation,
  • the translator’s full name and signature, and
  • the translator’s contact details.

All letters submitted from a business, company or other organisation should be on official headed paper and give full contact details so that they can be verified. These must include a full postal address, name of contact, position in the organisation, telephone number (landline), website, and email address.

The Visa Officer considers each application on its merits and may request additional information or documentation.

 

GUIDE TO SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

1

 Fully completed and signed application summary sheet.

2

Payment confirmation receipt.

3

2 colour passport sized photographs not more than 6 months old and complying with the photograph requirements on the photograph rules for visa applications

4

Your original current passport, original previous passport(s)

1 photocopy of your current and past passport(s), printed and verified by the VFS, showing bio-data page and all exit/entry stamps & visas. Full photocopy of all pages is not required.

Your current passport must be valid for at least 12 months from date of your proposed entry into Ireland. Your passport must have sufficient space for a visa to be inserted in it; at least 2 empty pages are required.

If you are not a citizen of the country where you are applying from (the country of application), you must also submit evidence of your permission to reside in the country of application e.g. a residence card.

NOTE: A police report must be submitted confirming reported lost/stolen passports.

5 Your original Hukou booklet, a full photocopy (all pages) and an English translation (Chinese Nationals only). 

6

A copy of your Chinese identity card or of your residence permit (for foreigner).

7

A signed and dated letter of application including the applicant’s full contact details. The letter should:

  • Be signed by the visa applicant with full contact details (email, phone, postal address).
  • Declare applicant’s reason for coming to Ireland.
  • Declare details of the family member in Ireland, who is sponsoring the visa application.
  • Declare details of any other members of your family who are currently in Ireland, or any other EU Member State.
  • Declare details of all dependent children.

8

Sponsors status/eligibility to sponsor:

  • In the case of a sponsor who is an Irish citizen and residing in Ireland, a clear and legible copy of the sponsor’s passport or other documentary evidence attesting his/her citizenship.
  • In the case of a sponsor who is an Irish citizen and residing in a country other than Ireland, a clear and legible copy of the sponsor’s passport showing evidence of residency in the country where they are residing.
  • In the case of a sponsor who is a non-EEA citizen:
    • a clear and legible copy of all pages of the sponsor’s passport (including bio-data page and all other pages, including blank pages).
    • a valid copy of the sponsor’s Irish Residence Permit/GNIB card (an identity document issued by the Irish immigration authorities).
    • a copy of the sponsor’s current employment permit/researcher (scientific) hosting agreement or other evidence of eligibility to sponsor. Please refer to list of eligible sponsors at para. 16.4 of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification Available at: www.inis.gov.ie

9

Evidence of claimed relationship between visa applicant and sponsor:

  • You must provide evidence of your claimed relationship with your sponsor. The onus of proof as to the claimed relationship rests on you and your sponsor. The nature of the evidence required will depend on the relationship claimed e.g. spouse, civil partner, de facto partner, child, or elderly dependent relative. Below are some of the main types of relationships claimed and corresponding supporting documentation required. Original certificates, full photocopies and English translations must be provided.

 

Spouse or civil partner:

  • Original marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate – marriages/civil partnerships must be capable of recognition under Irish law for other purposes outside of the immigration system.
  • A notarised copy of marriage certificate, legalised by MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn). Or a notarised copy of civil partnership certificate, legalised by the Irish Embassy.
  • In the case of previous divorce or widowhood, a notarised certificate of divorce / death of spouse, legalised by the MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn).
  • If your sponsor (spouse/civil partner) is residing in Ireland and you have not resided together since your marriage/civil partnership, you must also provide a full account of your relationship history (where and when you met evidenced by e.g. visas, entry/exit stamps on the passport of your spouse, photographs, correspondence by e-mail, telephone etc.).
  • For immigration purposes it is not sufficient for a relationship to have developed solely over the internet or by telephone/text message. A relationship must include a number of face-to-face meetings (excluding webcam) between the parties.

 

Child (under 18 years and not married):
  • Original birth certificate/adoption order.
  • Chinese Birth Certificate: Notarised copy of the child's birth certificate, legalised by MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn). If applicable, a notarised Chinese adoption order, legalised by MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn). Birth certificates/adoptions orders from other third countries must be notarised in accordance with the legal procedures of that country.
  • Irish Birth Certificate: Only the original Irish birth certificate and an original photocopy is required. It does not need to be notarised or legalised.
  • Notarised letter of permission for the child to relocate to Ireland, signed by both parents or legal guardians, legalised by MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn) if the parents/legal guardians are residing China, and when not residing in China, attested by the relevant authorities in the country of residence. If the parents are residing in Ireland, the letter of permission to relocate must be notarised by a practicing solicitor in Ireland. The letter of permission must not be older than 6 months. The letter of permission must declare that the child can permanently leave China. It must clearly state with whom the child will be travelling to Ireland and with whom the child will reside in Ireland.
  • In cases where the parents are divorced, a notarised copy of the divorce decision, legalised by the MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn) (if the divorce was obtained in China), stating to whom of the parents full guardianship was entrusted. If the divorce was obtained in Ireland or elsewhere, a notarised copy of the divorce decision by a practicing solicitor will be sufficient.
  • In cases where one parent/guardian is deceased, notarised certificate of death of spouse/guardian, legalised by the MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn), if the death occurred in China. If the death occurred in Ireland or elsewhere, the certificate of death should be notarised in accordance with the applicable legal procedures of that country.
  • A copy of both parents'/guardians' passport bio-data page and signature page must be provided.
  • If the child is travelling to Ireland in the company of a person, who is not the child's parent/guardian (for example, with a grandparent), a copy of the accompanying adult's passport bio-data page and signature page must be submitted.

 

 

 

 

 

De facto partner (a de facto partnership refers to a relationship akin to marriage including cohabitation for 2 years prior to the application for family reunification):

  • Original evidence supporting the existence of your de facto relationship e.g. registration certificate of partnership (if applicable), evidence of common ownership of property, joint tenancy of property, on-going correspondence addressed to both partners at the same address, financial dependence/interdependence or any other relevant documentary evidence.
  • A full account of your relationship history (where and when you met evidenced by e.g. visas, entry/exit stamps on the passport of partner, photographs, correspondence by e- mail, telephone etc.).

 

Elderly Dependent Relative:

  • Notarised birth certificate of sponsor/notary certificate of family relationship legalised by MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn)/notarised adoption order, legalised by MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn) showing parentage of sponsor.
  • A notarised undertaking, signed by the sponsor, stating that he/she will bear personal and complete financial responsibility for the elderly dependent relative and that any State funds availed of will be reimbursed by them to the State. The undertaking must also give detailed provision for the accommodation of the elderly dependent relative in Ireland. The undertaking must also state that the sponsor will take out private medical insurance in respect of the elderly dependent relative at or above the level of VHI Plan D or equivalent in Ireland.
  • For more detailed conditions and information see:  Dependent elderly relative

10

Finances:

Original, full photocopy and English Translation of all documents required

You must provide evidence of your finances and those of your sponsor including evidence to show that your sponsor meets the minimum level of earnings required (please refer to Chapters 17 and 18 of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification

  • A detailed statement of your bank accounts covering a 6 month period immediately prior to your application.
  • A detailed statement of your sponsor’s bank accounts covering a six month period, immediately prior to your visa application.
  • Letter from sponsor’s current employer on official headed paper, giving full contact details of employer for verification purposes.
  • Evidence of projected earnings e.g. copy of contract of employment etc.
  • In the case of a sponsor who is resident in Ireland, evidence that they meet the minimum level of earnings required – Employment Detail Summary (previously P60s) for the 3 years immediately prior to the date of your application and 3 recent consecutive pay slips.
  • If your sponsor is self-employed in Ireland, Notices of Assessment of income from self-employment for the three most recent years, and evidence of earnings in the period since the most recent tax return was filed.
  • In the case of a person who is eligible to sponsor applications for immediate family reunification: critical skills employment permit, Irish Investor Programme letter from ISD ,researcher (scientific) hosting agreement, evidence of Intra Company Transfer, evidence of Business Permission, evidence that sponsor is full-time non-locum doctor in employment in Ireland.
  • In the case of a person who is eligible to sponsor applications for family reunification after 12 months: Non-critical skills employment permit, evidence sponsor is Minister of Religion, in additional to standard financial evidence.
  • In the case of an employment permit holder a copy of their employment permit and a contract of employment covering at least 1 year from your proposed date of entry showing annual salary.

11

Evidence of dependency:

If you are making your application on the basis of financial and social dependency on your sponsor you must provide documentary evidence to establish that you are actually financially dependent on your sponsor:

  • Amount, frequency and duration of the financial support provided by your sponsor (e.g. copies of your sponsor’s bank statements showing transfers to your account, copies of your bank statements showing receipt of those amounts).
  • Any other sources of income that you may have.
  • If you have no other source of income, evidence of why you are unable to work, why you are not eligible for state benefits etc.
  • Your living costs (e.g. evidence of mortgage/rent, utility, food, medical, education payments).
  • Details of any other family members in your country of residence.
  • Your medical condition (where relevant), relationship with the sponsor including evidence of active and continuous involvement in your life e.g. evidence of visits, correspondence.

12

Medical/Travel Insurance (not required at time of visa application):

  • Evidence of medical/travel insurance does not need to be provided with your application. However, the Visa Officer may request it before they make a decision on your application. If your visa is approved, when you arrive at the port of entry (airport/seaport) evidence of medical/travel insurance must be presented to the Immigration Officer upon request.

13

Previous visa refusals:

  • If you have been refused a visa in the past for any country, you must provide the details. The original letter issued to you by the authorities of that country must be provided with your application.

NOTE: Not disclosing any previous visa refusals will result in your application being refused.

14

Evidence of sufficient accommodation in Ireland:

  • You are required to submit evidence of where you will permanently reside in Ireland and how accommodation costs will be covered (house purchase contract in sponsor’s name, lease agreement etc.). 

15

Non-criminal record certificate:

  • If you are aged over 18, a notarised certificate, legalised by the MFA (Apostille) 附加证明书 (mfa.gov.cn), attesting to the lack of any criminal convictions for crimes or offences under law. This certificate must not be older than 6 months from the date of issuance.

NOTE: This requirement does not apply to family members of Irish or EU/EEA citizens.

7. Return of documents

All documents accompanying your application must be originals.

You should keep copies of all the documents that you provided.

All documents (with the exception of your passport) will be returned to you at the VFS Visa Application Centre.

 

8. What activity is and is not permitted

The activities that will be permitted (e.g. right to work without an employment permit, establish or manage/operate a business) will depend on the immigration permission granted to you by the Irish immigration authorities following your entry to the State.

If you are an immediate family member of an Irish citizen you will receive a Stamp 4 immigration permission which will allow you to work without an employment permit or to establish or manage/operate a business.

If you are an immediate family member of a non-EEA sponsor or are a non-immediate family member of an Irish citizen you will have dependent status only and will continue to be subject to the employment permits requirements as operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. You will be entitled to apply for immigration status in your own right under the various channels available (e.g. student, work permit, business permission etc.).

If you require further assistance, please Contact Us