Family Reunification

The right to family reunification and the qualifying criteria and documentation required to accompany applications vary substantially depending upon whether you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national or the national of another country.

Persons who are EU/EEA/Swiss nationals are entitled to family reunification in line with the rules of European free movement, generally referred to as “EU Treaty Rights”.

Persons who are not EU/EEA/Swiss nationals are entitled to family reunification in two distinct situations:

1.  Where the are a declared refugee or the holder of a subsidiary protection certificate, and
2. All others who meet the criteria of the administrative Family Reunification scheme operated by Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

The general rule is that spouses/civil partners and dependent children are entitled to apply. However, in certain circumstances, grandparents and other extended family members may also be eligible.