Ireland Partner Visa Requirements for Nigerian Citizens

What is the Ireland Partner Visa?

The Irish Partner Visa is a long stay ‘D’ (join family) Visa that allows non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals who are the spouses, civil partners, or de facto partners of Irish citizens and residents to join them in Ireland.

As a Nigerian citizen, you can use this family visa route to migrate to Ireland, reunite with your loved one, and build a shared life together. The requirements for applying for a partner visa and the rights you’ll have once your application is successful will depend on your relationship with your partner and their immigration status in Ireland.

The Irish Partner Visa is usually valid for 12 months, and you can renew it each year if you continue to meet the requirements. If you’ve lived in Ireland continuously on a Partner Visa for five years, you can apply for long-term residency.

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Eligibility Criteria for Nigerian Citizens Applying for an Ireland Partner Visa

All applicants for the Partner Visa must meet certain eligibility criteria. Here are the general requirements:

• Applicants and their partners must be 18 years or above
• They must be in a legally recognised marriage or civil partnership
• They must prove that any previous marriages or civil partnerships have ended
• If the applicant is applying as a de facto partner, they must have been living together with the sponsor for two years or more
• They must have a genuine and subsisting relationship
• The Irish-based partner must have an appropriate accommodation for the applicant and any dependents
• The sponsor must meet the financial requirements

Additionally, applicants for the Partner Visa must meet some specific requirements. These additional requirements vary depending on whether the Irish-based partner is:

• An Irish national
• An EEA national
• A UK national
• A non-EEA national
• An internationally protected person

Partners of Irish Citizens

Nigerian nationals who are partners of Irish citizens do not have an automatic right to live in Ireland based on their marriage or relationship and must qualify for a long stay ‘D’ visa. Additionally, they’ll have the right to apply for a visa, whether or not their Irish partners reside in Ireland at the time of the application.

An essential requirement for the Irish sponsor is that they must not have been predominantly reliant on benefits from the Irish government for a continuous period of 2 years prior to the date of the visa application.

Upon a successful application, spouses, civil partners, and de facto partners will receive a Stamp 4 immigration permission. This permission will allow them to work or be self-employed without needing an employment permit.

Partners of EEA Nationals

Citizens of EEA member states and Switzerland enjoy the right to move and reside freely within Ireland under Directive 2004/38/EC, the Free Movement Directive. Under this directive, EEA and Swiss nationals living in Ireland can have their partners join them, irrespective of their nationality.

However, visa-required partners, such as those from Nigeria, do not need to obtain an entry visa. Instead, they can apply for a short-stay ‘C’ visa, which will allow them to reside in Ireland for up to three months. Upon arriving in Ireland, partners who wish to stay longer than three months must apply for a ‘Residence Card of a family member of a Union citizen.’

Spouses and civil partners of EEA/Swiss nationals are categorised as ‘qualifying family members’ under EU law. When applying for the short stay ‘C’ visa, they will not be required to pay a visa fee and will enjoy an accelerated processing of their application. To apply for the residence card, they must complete Form EUTR -1 on the Irish government website.

On the other hand, de facto partners are categorised as ‘permitted family members’. They must pay the short-stay ‘C’ visa fee and will not be eligible for accelerated processing. They must complete Form EUTR1A to apply for the Residence Card, which is valid for up to 5 years.

Partners of UK Nationals

UK nationals who began living in Ireland after 31 December 2020 must sponsor their non-EEA family members for a visa before they can accompany or join them in the country.

For the non-EEA partner to be eligible for a long stay ‘D’ visa, the UK national or sponsor must:

• Already be resident in Ireland or intend to be resident at the time of the applicant’s arrival in Ireland
• Be self-sufficient and not have been reliant on social benefits or public funds in or outside Ireland for at least two years before the application date
• Not have sponsored another spouse or partner in the seven years before the visa application
• Be able to support the applicant financially without recourse to public funds

Dependents of UK nationals are grouped in different categories when applying for a family visa, and spouses, civil partners, and de facto partners are under Category 1. Other categories include Category 2 for dependent children and Category 3 for other dependent relatives.

If the application is successful, applicants under Category 1 will receive Stamp 4D immigration permission. Holders of Stamp 4D permission are allowed to work in Ireland without a separate work permit.

Partners of Non-EEA and Non-Swiss Nationals

The rules for non-EEA and non-Swiss citizens living in Ireland and sponsoring their partners depend on their immigration status. For the purpose of sponsorship, non-EEA residents are classified into three categories: A, B, and C.

Category A residents can accompany their spouses, civil partners, and de facto partners on arrival in Ireland. They include individuals residing in the country as a/an:

• Critical Skills Employment Permit holder
• Investor
• Entrepreneur
• Business Permission Holder
• Researchers Approved Scholarship Programme Student
• Intra Corporate Transferee
• PhD Student (subject to conditions)
• Full-time non-locum doctor in employment
• Minister of Religion (provided they are maintained by the church)

Non-EEA residents in Category B will be eligible to sponsor their partners after living and working legally in Ireland for 12 months. These sponsors include:

• Non-Critical Skills Employment permit holders
• All Stamp 4 holders not covered by other more favourable arrangements
• Ministers of Religion (not maintained by the church)

Residents under category C are not eligible to sponsor their partners, and they include all other non-EEA citizens not covered in categories A and B, such as students and visitors.

Spouses and partners of non-EEA nationals will be granted a Stamp 3 immigration permission and be required to apply for an employment permit if they choose to work or become self-employed.

Partners of Internationally Protected Persons

Individuals granted refugee or subsidiary protection status in Ireland under the International Protection Act 2015 can sponsor a partner to join them in the country under the following conditions:

• They must have married or registered their civil partnership with the applicant before they applied for refugee status in Ireland
• The spouse or civil partner’s visa application must be made within 12 months of the sponsor receiving their declaration as a refugee or a person with subsidiary protection

Not that there is no provision for the de facto partners of internationally protected persons to apply for a Partner Visa.

To obtain a visa, the sponsor must first apply to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) through post. They must complete a family reunification questionnaire and submit some supporting documents. Once the application is approved, their partner can apply for a visa and, if successful, receive Stamp 4 permission.

Proving the Genuineness of the Relationship

A crucial aspect of having a successful Partner Visa application is for applicants to prove the authenticity and continuity of their relationship with the sponsor. The requirements for proving a genuine and subsisting relationship will depend on the type of relationship.

Proving Genuineness of Relationships for Spouses and Partners

Spouses and civil partners must be in a monogamous marriage or civil partnership. There is no minimum length of time they should have been together before applying for a partner visa. However, their relationship must not have developed online or through telephone or text and must involve face-to-face meetings.

To prove the genuineness of their relationship, they must provide a state-issued marriage or civil partnership certificate. If the marriage was a religious ceremony, the religious certificate must also be included. If either the applicant or the sponsor has been previously married or divorced, they must submit previous state-issued marriage, divorce, or death certificates.

For couples who have lived together, proof of cohabitation, such as lease agreements, mortgage documents, or evidence of a shared address, is required. If the couple is yet to live together, they must provide a detailed account of their relationship history.

Proving Genuineness of Relationship for De Facto Partners

A requirement for de facto relationships is that the applicant and sponsor must have cohabited in a relationship akin to marriage for two years before the application. They must provide detailed evidence of relationship history, including the date the relationship began and when they started cohabitating. This can include proof of communication and proof they were in the same country when the relationship started.

They must also submit evidence of cohabitation, with documents showing joint ownership or tenancy of property, utility bills, correspondence addressed to both at the same address and financial dependence or interdependence. If the partners live separately at the time of application, they must provide convincing reasons for this. Simply visiting each other during the two-year period will not be enough to demonstrate a committed de facto relationship.

If the applicant or the sponsor has previously been married or divorced, they must submit state-issued marriage, divorce, or death certificates. In cases of separation, evidence of legal separation, cessation of cohabitation, or other proof showing the end of the previous relationship must also be provided.

Financial Requirements for Sponsoring a Partner

When sponsoring a partner for a family visa, sponsors must meet specific financial criteria to prove they can support their partners without relying on public funds. The financial requirements vary depending on the immigration status of the sponsor, and they include:

• Irish sponsors: A cumulative of €40,000 over the three-year period before application
• EEA sponsors: No specific minimum threshold
• UK sponsors: A minimum of €20,000 annually
• Non-EEA sponsors: A minimum of €30,000 annually
• International protection holders: No specific income requirement

Proof of Financial Requirement for Employed Sponsors

Applicants must submit evidence that their Irish-based partner meets the financial requirements. If the sponsor is employed, they must provide:

• A copy of their employment contract
• Copies of 3 recent payslips
• Tax returns from the previous three years
• A letter from their employer stating their employment date and annual salary

Proof of Financial Requirement for Self-employed Sponsors

If the sponsor is self-employed, they must provide:

• Tax assessment from the tax authorities of the country in which they lived for the previous three financial years
• Bank statements of the business for the last six months

Proof of Financial Requirement for Unemployed Sponsors

Sponsors who are involuntarily unemployed (applicable to Irish and EEA sponsors only) must provide:

• A current letter from the Department of Social Protection detailing any benefits received, including any current claims
• Letter from the last employer confirming role, salary, dates of employment and reason for termination
• Tax returns for the previous three years
• Evidence of any qualifications they hold

Proof of Financial Requirements for Students

A sponsor who is a student (applicable to Irish and EEA sponsors only) must provide the following:

• Their transcripts
• A letter from their college or course provider confirming their registration and start and completion dates of study
• Their tax returns for the previous three years
• Bank statements for the period of study
• A letter from a private medical insurance provider confirming medical insurance coverage for the EEA national and applicant (for EEA sponsors only)

Financial Proof for Residents with Sufficient Financial Resources

If your sponsor is residing in Ireland as a person with sufficient financial resources, they must provide:

• Documentary evidence of the financial resources (e.g. pension, financial investments) and corresponding bank statements
• Tax returns for the previous three years
• Current letter from the Department of Social Protection, with details of any benefit claims or stating that there are no claims
• Letter from private medical insurance provider confirming private medical insurance for the EEA national and the applicant

Health and Background Checks

Applicants for the Partner Visa must have medical insurance from a company authorised by the Health Insurance Authority for the duration of their stay. The sponsor may include the applicant in their group insurance scheme if applicable.

If an applicant doesn’t have medical insurance, travel insurance may be acceptable for the first year of stay until they can arrange medical insurance. The minimum coverage should include €25,000 for accidents and €25,000 for illness and disease. It should also cover any hospitalisation period and repatriation in unforeseen circumstances.

Additionally, spouses and partners must submit a Police clearance certificate not older than six months. This certificate must include a criminal records check from their current country of residence and any country they have resided in during the last five years before their application.

Documentation Requirements for Nigerian Citizens

Here’s a list of the documents required for the Partner Visa application for Nigerian nationals:

• The application summary form, signed and dated
• A letter of application
• A Nigerian passport valid for at least 12 months from the proposed entry into Ireland
• Two passport-sized photographs
• Evidence of visa fee payment
• Medical or travel insurance
• Police clearance certificate
• Evidence of relationship, such as marriage or civil partnership certificates
• Evidence of cohabitation, such as joint property ownership

The applicant must also provide the following documents from the sponsor:

• Evidence of accommodation in Ireland
• A letter of sponsorship
• Copies of the sponsor’s passport and immigration permission
• Six months’ bank statements
• Evidence that they meet the financial requirements
• A signed legal undertaking that they will bear complete financial responsibility for the applicant

How to Apply for the Irish Partner Visa for Nigerian Citizens

To obtain a long stay ‘D’ join family visa, applicants should visit the Irish government website and submit an online application. The process involves completing the relevant application form and questionnaire.

Applicants must download the application summary sheet, sign and date it. They must also visit one of the Irish visa application centres in Lagos or Abuja to submit all required documents, pay the visa fees, and provide their biometric information. If your application is successful, the visa will be placed on your passport and you can travel to Ireland.

Ireland Partner Visa Fees

The application fee for the Partner Visa is €60 for a single-entry journey and €100 for a multiple-entry journey. When applicants visit the visa application centre, they may pay a service or preclearance fee. Additionally, visa holders will pay €300 to obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card upon arriving in Ireland.

Ireland Partner Visa Processing Times

Irish Partner Visa applications submitted in Nigeria are usually processed at the Irish embassy in Abuja within 8 to 10 weeks. However, the process can take longer if the embassy receives a high volume of applications.

What to Do If Your Application Is Denied or Delayed

If your Partner Visa application is denied, you will receive a refusal letter outlining the reasons why your application was refused. The refusal letter will also inform you if you can appeal the decision. For instance, if the refusal was due to misleading information, you may be unable to appeal.

If you are permitted to appeal, you must do so within eight weeks of receiving the refusal letter. Once your appeal is approved, you will receive your visa. If the appeal application is refused, you cannot submit another appeal. Instead, you can make a fresh application.

Rights and Obligations of Partner Visa Holders in Ireland

The activities permitted on a Partner Visa depend on the type of immigration permission an applicant receives. Partners who receive Stamp 4 and Stamp 4D permission can work, operate a business, and study without an employment permit. Those who receive Stamp 3 permission will have dependent status only and must apply for an employment permit to work.

Generally, partners and spouses can study in Ireland and sponsor their immediate family members for the family visa, but they cannot access public funds. They must continue to maintain their relationship with their Irish sponsor. If the relationship ends or the sponsor stops living in Ireland, they may lose their permission to stay in the country.

Impact on Future Residency and Citizenship Applications

The Irish Partner Visa provides a pathway to long-term residency and citizenship. Visa holders who continue to meet the conditions on their visas can apply for long-term residency after living legally for 60 months in Ireland.

For citizenship applications, partners of Irish citizens can apply for naturalisation after living in Ireland for three years. Partners of other residents can apply for five years. All applicants for citizenship by naturalisation must meet the reckonable residence and good character requirements.

How Can IAS Help?

Our team of experienced professionals are experts in Irish immigration law and dedicated to providing immigration services tailored to the specific needs of Nigerian citizens.

We are available online and in-person, providing personalised immigration advice, document preparation, and visa application and appeal services. If you have plans for permanent residency and citizenship in Ireland, we can advise you on the merits and help you plan your journey towards a long-term stay.

Contact us today online or at +2342013306361 to learn how we can assist you with your Partner Visa application.