Supporting Families in Immigration

At Actus, we recognise that employees and assignees have families, and are dedicated to ensuring a sustainable immigration route for their qualifying family members.

Qualifying Family Members

Our services cover immigration support for the following qualifying family members:

  • Spouses
  • De Facto Partners: Cohabitation akin to marriage for at least 2 years, subject to pre-clearance for CSEP holders.
  • Civil Partners
  • Dependent Children: Aged 18 and under, or up to 23 years old if they are in full-time education. We also support older dependent children with medical or psychological conditions.

Why Choose Actus for Family Immigration?

Established in 2004, we are a top-rated family immigration service with over 36 years of combined team experience.

Our experts provide tailored immigration solutions for families in order to ensure smooth relocation to Ireland.

From your initial application to final approval, our senior case workers will guide you through each step of the family immigration process. Actus is with you all the way.

Pre–Clearance for the De Facto Partners of CSEP Holders

Who May Apply to Join Family in Ireland as a Qualifying Family Member?

Immediate family reunification is available to qualifying family members of individuals who hold the following permissions in Ireland:

  • Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders
  • Intra-Company Transfers (ICT) holders
  • Investors
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Business Permission Holders
  • Researchers
  • Scholarship Programme Students (e.g., KASP14)
  • PhD Students

For those holding a General Employment Permit (GEP), the permit holder must have held their permit for at least 12 months before they can apply for family reunification.

Benefits of Entering Ireland as a Qualifying Family Member.

Once your visa is approved and you enter Ireland, you must register with the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) or the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

As a qualifying family member, spouses and partners of individuals holding a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP), General Employment Permit (GEP), Intra-Company Transfer (ICT), Stamp 4, or are Researchers on a Hosting Agreement will be granted a Stamp 1G.

This Stamp 1G allows the holder to work in Ireland without the need for an additional employment permit, providing greater flexibility and opportunities for employment during your stay.

Other qualifying family will be granted a Stamp 3 – this allows the holder to reside in Ireland.

You may apply for permission to enter the State as a De Facto Partner of a CSEP Holder if you satisfy the following criteria:

  • Aged 18 or older.
  • A non – EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizen are being sponsored by an eligible person.
  • You are of good character and good standing – you can provide a current police clearance certificate for any country you have resided in for 6 months or more in the past five years.
  • You have resided with your De Facto Partner for at least two years prior to your application.
  • You intend to live together permanently with your De Facto Partner in Ireland.
  • You have medical insurance from a company authorised by the Health Insurance Authority of Ireland to cover you and your dependent children, if applicable, in place on your arrival in the State for the entire duration of your stay in Ireland. 
  • All applicants must be ordinarily resident outside the State when making the pre- clearance application.   
  • Your sponsor in the State must hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a Hosting Agreement and meet other conditions (please contact us for details
  • Visa required qualifying family members must be granted with a D class entry visa to join the family member (permit holder). 

The pre – clearance application can present challenges, particularly in the documentation requested and detail of information required. Please contact us for further information on this matter.

Qualifying Family Members of GEP and CSP Holders

The family of GEP and CSP Holders are obliged to wait until the Holder has been on the permit for 12 months prior to applying to enter Ireland as dependents. If the family member is a visa required national, they will need to apply for a Spousal/ Dependent Visa. Please see our visa section for further details.

Qualifying Family Members of ICT Holders

The qualifying family of ICT Holders enter immediately as the dependent(s) of the Holder. They cannot work on the basis of their relationship to the ICT holder; but may apply for an employment permit in their own right. If the family member is a visa required national, they will need to apply for a Spousal/ Dependent Visa. Please see our visa section for further details.

Residence Card of a Family Member of an EU/ EEA or Swiss Citizen

Under EU Treaty Rights, EU/EEA/Swiss nationals have the right to move freely between EU countries for work purposes. The Residence Card enables non-EU/EEA/Swiss family members to join and reside with them in Ireland.

You may apply for a Residence Card if you are:

  • A qualifying family member (spouse, child, grandchild, dependent parent, or dependent grandparent) or
  • A permitted family member (long-term or de facto partner).

A successful application grants you a Stamp 4, which allows you to live and work in Ireland without needing an employment permit.

The EU Residence Card application process can be complex, especially regarding the documentation and detailed information required. For personalised guidance and support, please contact us.

Visa policy of Ireland

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as a qualifying family member, you can work in Ireland. If you are the spouse or partner of someone holding a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP), Intra-Company Transfer (ICT), General Employment Permit (GEP), or Stamp 4, you will be granted a Stamp 1G. This stamp allows you to work in Ireland without needing an additional employment permit.

Visa-required qualifying family members must obtain a D class entry visa to join the CSEP holder in Ireland. Actus can assist with the visa application process to ensure a smooth transition.

The duration of the visa application and pre-clearance process can vary based on individual circumstances and the completeness of your application. Most embassies quote to allow 8 weeks. A useful tip is to apply for your visa at the same time as the employment permit holder, as employment-based visas tend to process faster. By applying together, the entire family can go through the process simultaneously, reducing wait times. For the most accurate and up-to-date processing times, please contact Actus.