De Facto Partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder (CSEP) or Hosting Agreement Holder (HA)

If you are the de facto partner of a person who has a Critical Skills Employment Permit or Hosting Agreement you may be eligible to apply for this programme.

You should carefully read the conditions that apply and the documentation required before you make your application.

Do not apply under this scheme if you intend to stay for less than 3 months.

Please read below for further information.

The immigration permission and application system described on this page is based on the Critical Skills De Facto Partners Immigration Permission Policy Document published 01 April, 2019 (updated June 2023) which outlines all of the relevant criteria for eligibility for this programme.

The Department of Justice reserves the right to amend or suspend this policy at any time.

Permission to remain under this scheme will allow eligible persons to seek employment in the State, on a Stamp 1G basis, without the need to obtain a separate work permit.

The duration of the permission granted to eligible persons will be in line with the duration of permission granted to the CSEP/HA holder, subject to the conditions below.

The Critical Skills Employment Permit holder or Hosting Agreement holder must have already been granted a visa, or be already be living in Ireland on the relevant permission, before you can apply for this scheme.

You must apply for a visa or preclearance before you travel to Ireland. You can check if you are visa required or non-visa required using our travel path tool. You must apply from your home country or a country where you are a legal resident. Proof of residence outside the State may be requested, and the applicant (and permitted family members under the scheme) must remain outside the State while their application is being processed.

A preclearance letter or visa allows you to travel to Ireland only for a specific purpose. They do not give you permission to enter the country or to stay here. An Immigration Officer at border control can refuse you entry even if you have a preclearance letter or long stay visa.

Fill in the Online Visa Application form. This will generate an application summary form and declaration at the end which must be printed, signed and dated.

When you are filling in your information on the online application form:

You must organise your supporting documents and pay the visa/preclearance application fee. Different offices accept fees in different ways. The summary application form will tell you to which office you need to pay your fee.

To complete the process, you must submit your passport and supporting documents for processing. Where you submit your application depends on where you are living. The summary application form will direct you to the relevant office.

It is very important that you submit your documents and fee to the correct office within 30 days of completing the online application form.

Children (under 18 years, up to 23 years if in full time education) apply in a similar way to you and must be sponsored by the Critical Skills Employment Permit holder/Hosting Agreement holder. You must fill in your application form first, and take note of the application number. Child dependents must then fill in their application forms using the instructions below:

Fill in the online application form here. This will generate an application summary form and declaration at the end which must be printed, signed and dated. The online application form is signed by the parent or legal guardian of the child when under the age of 18 years.

When they are filling in their information on the online application form:

A visa required national should:

To complete the process, you must all submit your passports and supporting documents for processing. Where you submit your application depends on where you are living. The summary application form will direct you to the relevant office.

It is very important that you all submit your documents and fee to the correct office within 30 days of completing the online application form.

Please read the following important information before you submit your supporting documents. This will give you guidelines on supporting documents, including information on translations and rules.

If you cannot submit a document requested below, you should provide an explanation as to why you cannot provide it. The applicant should submit the following documents:

This is the summary application form which you must print. It contains a declaration that must be signed and dated by the applicant. If the person applying for a visa/preclearance is under the age of 18 years, their parent or legal guardian must sign the form.

Rules for application photographs.

Any State issued official documents, such as Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Divorce Certificates that were issued by a State outside of the EEA or Switzerland, must be attested/apostilled as genuine by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the State that issued the document, in order that it can be accepted as evidence for Irish visa purposes. Such documents are required to be translated into English or Irish, if necessary. Translations done outside the EEA or Switzerland must also be attested/apostilled as genuine, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country in which the translation occurs. Send us both the original documents and the certified translations. Translations done in the EEA or Switzerland do not need to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Any State issued official documents, such as Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates, Death Certificates, Divorce Certificates that were issued by a State within the EEA or Switzerland do not require to be attested as genuine from Member States. A translation of these documents is not required where a multilingual standard form (MSF) is also provided. Such MSF forms are available from Member States on request. If an MSF is not provided by you then those documents are required to be translated into English or Irish, if necessary in order that it can be accepted as evidence for Irish visa purposes. Translations done outside the EEA or Switzerland must also be attested/apostilled as genuine, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country in which the translation occurs. Translations done in the EEA or Switzerland do not need to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will also accept the Extract of a European marriage certificate, issued in accordance with the “Convention on the issue of multilingual extracts from civil status records“, as proof of a marriage within the EEA or Switzerland. Send us both the original documents and the certified translations.

First you must read the information on visa fees/preclearance fees below. Some applicants do not have to pay the application fee described on the preclearance and entry visas fees web page. A non-refundable fee of €60 applies to preclearance and must be paid in full at the time of the preclearance application.

Please include, with your application, proof that the application fee has been paid – for example a copy of the transfer receipt from your bank.

The visa/preclearance fee is a non-refundable administration fee which covers the cost of processing your application. This fee cannot be refunded even if your application is refused or withdrawn.

You may be required to pay additional charges for example, relating to the submission of your documents. The website of the office to which you must submit your documents will have details about additional charges and any local payment options. Details of the relevant office will be available to you once you complete the online application.

Information on visa fee exemptions

Some visa applicants are exempt from the requirement to pay the visa fee. Check below if the visa fee does not apply to you.

You must provide evidence of medical insurance that satisfies the criteria outlined below:

You must be covered by private medical insurance, from a company authorised by the Health Insurance Authority of Ireland for the duration of your time in the State. Your sponsor may include you in their group insurance scheme if applicable. Travel insurance may suffice but only during the first year of your stay provided it covers you:

Bank statements must be on headed bank paper (You may use a printed internet statement but it must be officially certified by your bank. This means that every page must be notarised by the bank and the statement must be accompanied by a letter from the bank. We will not accept uncertified internet statements). They must show:

You must submit a Police Clearance Certificate (not more than 6 months old, to also include a criminal records check) from your country of current residence and any country you have resided in, in the 5 years prior to your application.

This must be issued by the police force of that country and must include a full check of that country’s national and local records. Criminal record checks conducted by private companies will not be accepted.

You must provide original documentation issued by the authorities of that country with your application and a full explanation for consideration.

Criminal Convictions – You must also provide official documentation of any criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.

Failure to do so will result in your application being refused.

Failure to disclose this information, where applicable, will result in your application being refused.

Joint documents:

As per the policy document, Partners who are not living together at the time of the application will be required to give compelling reasons for this. It will still be necessary to show cohabitation for a full two year period but each application is considered on its individual merits and humanitarian reasons will be considered.

If a couple claim they have maintained their relationship during the two year period by merely visiting each other as often as they can, this will not be sufficient to demonstrate a committed de facto relationship.

This can be demonstrated, for example, by providing evidence of transfer receipts, joint accounts, joint purchases, joint assets, or loans.

You must both provide a detailed relationship history supported by verifiable documentary evidence. This must include the date you commenced the relationship and the date you commenced cohabitation.

This may be supported by providing evidence of, for example, letters, messages, emails, phone calls, bookings, evidence that you were in the same country when the relationship commenced etc.

It is your responsibility to satisfy the processing officer that your relationship meets the definition of a de facto relationship.

You must provide documentary evidence of where you will reside in Ireland. If you are sourcing accommodation after your proposed date of arrival, you must tell us where you will stay while searching for accommodation and provide evidence of this.

If you or your sponsor were previously married you must provide:

Documents required from your sponsor:

You, as the sponsor, must provide a full colour copy of all pages (including blank pages) of your current passport.

If you have held previous passports, you must also submit a good quality colour copy of all pages of these passports. (All pages includes blank pages).

If you are unable to provide copies of your previous passports, a written explanation must be provided along with any relevant police reports for consideration.

If they have changed their name in the past, for example by marriage or for any other reason, you must provide full details to us and supporting documentary evidence.

You must submit a Police Clearance Certificate (not more than 6 months old, to also include a criminal records check) from your country of current residence and any country you have resided in, in the 5 years prior to your application.

This must be issued by the police force of that country and must include a full check of that country’s national and local records.

Criminal record checks conducted by private companies will not be accepted.

You must provide a clear colour copy of your valid Critical Skills Employment Permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment or your Hosting Agreement.

You must provide a full copy of your employment contract.

You must provide evidence of your educational qualifications and evidence of work experience.

Clear colour copies of qualifications should be submitted.

Evidence of work experience, for example, letters from previous employers which state your dates of employment, job title, duties and annual salary for that role.

The letter of sponsorship must include:

You must provide 6 months bank statements:

You, the sponsor, must provide evidence of medical insurance satisfies the criteria outlined below:

You must be covered by private medical insurance, from a company authorised by the Health Insurance Authority for the duration of your time in the State. Your sponsor may include you in their group insurance scheme if applicable. Travel insurance may suffice but only during the first year of your stay provided it covers you:

Visa refusals – For all visa/preclearance applications, if you have been refused a visa/preclearance in the past for any country, you must provide details to us. The original letter issued to you by the authorities of that country must be provided with your application.

In addition if you have:

You must provide original documentation issued by the authorities of that country with your application and a full explanation for consideration.

Criminal convictions – You must also provide official documentation of any criminal convictions or pending criminal charges.

Failure to do so will result in the application being refused. Failure to disclose this information, where applicable, will result in the application being refused.

If your children have applied to travel with you to Ireland, they must provide:

1. Application Summary Form – This is the summary application form which you must print. It contains a declaration that must be signed and dated by the applicant. If the person applying for a visa/preclearance is under the age of 18 years, their parent or legal guardian must sign the form.

2. 2 x passport sized photographs – Rules for application photographs.

3. Passports – You are required to submit your current passport with a visa/preclearance application.

4. Evidence of fee payment – First you must read the information on visa fees/preclearance fees below. Some applicants do not have to pay the application fee.

A non-refundable fee of €60 applies to preclearance and must be paid in full at the time of the preclearance application.

Please include, with your application, proof that the application fee has been paid – for example a copy of the transfer receipt from your bank.

The visa/preclearance fee is a non-refundable administration fee which covers the cost of processing your application. This fee cannot be refunded even if your application is refused or withdrawn.

You may be required to pay additional charges for example relating to the submission of your documents. The website of the office to which you must submit your documents will have details about additional charges and any local payment options. Details of the relevant office will be available to you once you complete the online application.

Information on visa fee exemptions

Some visa applicants are exempt from the requirement to pay the visa fee. Check below if the visa fee does not apply to you.

5. Medical insurance

They must provide evidence of medical insurance that satisfies the criteria outlined below:

They must be covered by private medical insurance, from a company authorised by the Health Insurance Authority for the duration of their time in the State. Your sponsor may include them in their group insurance scheme. Travel insurance may suffice but only during the first year of their stay provided it covers them:

6. Children under 18 years

Children under 18 years, living with their parents are assumed to be automatically dependent.

If making an application for a child under 18 years, you are required to provide:

If you are applying for a child where a parent is deceased:

If you are applying for a child where one parent has sole custody:

If there are any other custody (shared/joint) arrangements in place:

Children over 18 years under 23 years

You must submit:

After we receive your application and documents, we will check that you have:

Applications are generally processed in the order they are received.

Please note that the responsibility is on the applicant to supply the relevant documentation to us and to satisfy the processing officer that the visa or preclearance sought should be granted.

The current processing times for visas and preclearance are updated each Tuesday.

We will notify you if your application is approved, and will send you a preclearance letter of approval. It is important that you check your details on this letter for any errors. Your preclearance letter is an important document. You will need it to present to an Immigration Officer at border control and, if granted entry, for Immigration Registration.

The preclearance letter is valid for 6 months. If you do not use it to travel to Ireland within the validity period on the letter, you must restart the process and submit a new application.

Do not travel to Ireland with an expired preclearance letter of approval.

It is also recommended that you have clear evidence of your medical insurance cover with you when you arrive at the border.

Your children (if non-visa required) will appear on your letter of approval. If they do not appear on your letter, they will receive a separate decision letter from the Division.

They should not travel if they do not appear on your letter of approval.

We will notify you if your application is approved and a Long Stay ‘D’ visa will be placed in your passport by the relevant office. You will need this to travel to Ireland.

You will need to show it to an Immigration Officer at border control and, if granted entry, for Immigration Registration. It is important that you check your visa for any errors.

Your visa will be valid for 6 months. If you do not use your visa during the validity period, you must restart the process and submit a new application.

You will not be permitted to travel to Ireland unless your visa is valid.

It is also recommended that you have clear evidence of your medical insurance cover with you when you arrive at the border.

Your children (if visa required) will receive their own visa in order to travel to Ireland. If they do not receive a visa, they will receive a separate decision letter from the division.

They should not travel if they do not have the appropriate visa in their passport.

For further information visit our travelling to Ireland with children web page.

We will notify you by letter if your application is refused. This letter will outline the reasons why your application was refused.

The refusal letter will also tell you if you are permitted to appeal the decision. In some cases you may not be permitted to appeal (for example if you provide false or misleading information in your application).

The appeal process is free of charge.

You can request an appeal of this decision by responding to the refusal reasons with extra supporting documents if required.

This appeal must be received by us within 8 weeks of the date of the refusal letter.

You must submit appeals by post only. We cannot accept faxes or emails.

Be sure to pay the correct postage for large packages.

We process visa/preclearance appeals in the order we receive them. We make every effort to process appeals as soon as possible and we advise the applicant of the outcome when the decision is made. Processing times can differ between offices and may also vary during the year, for example during peak periods.

We may take more time processing the appeal if we need to do a detailed assessment of family rights under the Constitution of Ireland or the European Convention on Human Rights.

If your appeal is being processed in the Dublin Visa/Preclearance Office, the following page, which we update each Tuesday, can be visited to keep up to date for current processing times for appeals. Check current appeal waiting times.

If your appeal is approved, we will send you a preclearance letter as described above. If your appeal is refused, we will send you a letter outlining the reasons. You cannot request another appeal. Do not attempt to come to Ireland without preclearance approval as you will not be allowed enter the country.

If your appeal is refused, you cannot request another appeal. Only one appeal is permitted per application. In most cases it is open to you to make a fresh application.

If your appeal is approved, a Long Stay ‘D’ visa will be placed in your passport by the relevant office as described above. If your appeal is refused, we will send you a letter outlining the reasons.

You cannot request another appeal. Only one appeal is permitted per application.

Do not attempt to come to Ireland without a visa as you will not be allowed enter the country. In most cases it is open to you to make a fresh application.

We will return marriage, birth and death certificates to you after your application is processed.

If there are other documents you want returned, type or write a list of the documents you want and then you should:

After you enter the country, you must visit a registration office before your landing stamp expires to register your permission to stay for longer than 90 days (as the de facto partner of a CSEP/HA holder).

If your visit is successful, you will be given immigration permission to stay as the de facto partner of CSEP/HA holder in line with the duration of permission granted to the CSEP holder based on immigration stamp number 1G.

You must visit a registration office to renew your permission and registration about 6 weeks before they expire.

If you have any questions about renewal, please contact us through the dedicated Customer Service portal. You can register for an account or log in to your existing account.

Any children over the age of 16 years will also have to extend their permission and register. If their visit is successful, they will be granted permission based on Stamp 3 conditions. For further information visit our children under the age of 16 years re-entry visas web page.