Within six months of the date you applied, you will likely receive a decision. The exact time to decide about your spouse’s visa in Ireland depends on many factors.
According to the Irish Department of Justice spouse, visa applications are processed chronologically and take at least six months.
To check the processing times for spouse visas outside of Ireland, visit the page of your local Irish Embassy.
The following information is available for those who have applied for a spouse Visa in Ireland.
It is important to complete your application accurately and thoroughly to avoid delays. Even small errors and incomplete sections can cause long delays.
Additional advice suggests that visa applications should be submitted as early as possible but not earlier than 13 weeks before your travel date.
You should also not make travel arrangements until you have received a positive decision.
How do I obtain a decision regarding my spouse’s visa?
An email or official letter will be sent to you regarding the outcome of your visa application. This will let you know if your visa application has been accepted or denied.
The letter you receive will outline your next steps if you have been approved to travel to Ireland.
If your request is denied, you will be informed of the reasons and whether you can appeal or resubmit the decision.
You should know that you have a very limited time window to appeal against a visa refusal. This is typically within two months of the date of refusal.
Only one appeal is allowed for refusals of visa applications.
How can I track my Irish visa application?
Online publication of visa decisions by the Irish Visa Offices in Ireland and other countries is a regular feature.
These are some of the ways you can track your visa application.
- You will be notified by email when VFS Global has decided on your online application.
- If you are unable to access email, SMS updates may be available.
- If you have submitted your application online, you can use the reference number given by the VFS Ireland Visa Application Centre.
- If you have applied for a visa at an embassy, consulate, or diplomatic office in Ireland, please check with the Irish Embassy or Irish consulate from which you received your application.
- Check the Irish Immigration Service if you have applied through an Irish visa office. Visa decision weekly listing page
- Use the reference number that you were given when you submitted your application.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, applications were processed slower, leading to visa application decision delays.
You can only contact the visa office by phone if you need to verify the status of your Irish visa applications.
What is the cost of an Irish spouse visa?
If you are the spouse or parent of an Irish citizen, there is no fee to apply for an Irish spouse visa.
If you’re a citizen of one of these countries, you don’t have to pay a visa application fee.
- Bosnia
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Ecuador
- Indonesia
- Jamaica
- Kosovo
- Kyrgyzstan
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Peru
- Serbia
- Sri Lanka Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
The following groups are exempted from paying visa fees:
These are the ‘qualifying relatives’ of EU/EEA/ Swiss citizens
- Spouse/ civil partner
- A dependent child younger than 21 years of age
- Child dependent of the spouse under 21 years of age
- Adopted child
- Dependent parent
- Parent of the dependent child
- Other dependent family members (e.g., grandparent or grandchild).
- Other dependent relatives of the spouse (e.g., grandparent or grandchild).
How can I invite my spouse?
Follow these steps to bring your spouse/civil partner to Ireland.
- Find out if your spouse requires an Irish spouse visa
- If you are sure, apply for a spouse visa
- Present your documents to the immigration officer at the border.
- Register at an immigration office within 90 days of your arrival
- Send a joint application for residency along with your spouse
- Wait for a decision
Your immigration status will determine how you can join your spouse in Ireland.
You don’t need to apply for a visa if you’re an Irish citizen and your spouse is a citizen in an EU/ EEA or Switzerland country.
Before your spouse can join you, they must have Irish Immigration Service Delivery permission.
If you are not married, there are additional rules. A civil partnership, however, is the same as a marriage.
You may need to provide extensive documentation to apply for a Joint Family Visa. This includes proof that you have private medical insurance for non-EEA citizens. You may also need to prove that you are eligible for the spouse visa.
Talk to one of our immigration advisors to learn more about how they can help you and your family settle in Ireland.
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