Join Family Visa (Long Stay 'D')

To join your family member in Ireland, you must apply for a Long Stay (D) Join Family Visa. This process is primarily managed online, followed by a physical submission of your supporting documents.

Step 1: Determine Your Sponsor's Category

Before applying, identify which category your family member in Ireland (your Sponsor) falls into, as this determines when you can apply:

• Category A: Irish citizens or those with refugee/subsidiary protection status. You can apply immediately.
• Category B: Holders of a Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP), Researchers, or PhD students. You can apply immediately.
• Category C: General Employment Permit holders or Stamp 4 holders not in Category A. You must wait until your sponsor has lived in Ireland for 12 months before you can apply.

Step 2: Complete the Online Application

Visit the AVATS online application portal to begin.

• Select 'Long Stay (D)' as your visa type and 'Join Family' as your reason for travel.
• Once finished, print the Application Summary Sheet. This document contains your unique application number and instructions on where to send your physical documents (usually a specific Embassy, Consulate, or VFS Global center).

Step 3: Gather Your Documents

You must provide original documents. If they are not in English or Irish, they must be accompanied by a certified translation.

• Passports: Your current passport and all previous passports. You must also provide a full color copy of your sponsor’s passport and their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.
• Proof of Relationship: Marriage or Civil Partnership certificates (must be Apostilled—authenticated for international use) or birth certificates for children. For de facto (unmarried) partners, you must provide evidence of living together for at least 2 years.
• Financial Evidence: Your sponsor must provide 6 months of bank statements, their most recent Employment Detail Summary (P60), and 3 recent payslips.
• Accommodation: A lease agreement or title deeds proving there is suitable housing for you.
• Medical Insurance: Proof of private medical insurance for the applicant.

Step 4: Pay and Submit

Follow the instructions on your summary sheet to pay the visa fee. You will then mail or hand-deliver your signed summary sheet, two passport-sized photos, and all supporting documents to the designated office.

Step 5: Biometrics

Depending on your country of residence, you may be required to visit a Visa Application Center to provide your fingerprints and a digital photo.

Item	Cost
Single-Entry Visa Fee	€60
Multi-Entry Visa Fee	€100
VFS Service Fee (if applicable)	Varies by location (approx. €30–€50)

Total Estimate: Approximately €60–€150 per person. Note: This does not include costs for document translation, Apostille stamps, DNA testing (if requested), or the €300 fee for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card once you arrive in Ireland.

Processing times are calculated from the date the Visa Office receives your physical documents. They vary based on your sponsor's status:

• Category B (CSEP Holders): 6 to 12 weeks.
• Category A (Irish Citizens): Approximately 6 months.
• Category C (General Permit Holders): 12 months or longer due to high volume.
• Appeals: If your visa is refused, an appeal typically takes 3 to 6 months.

Document Validity: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended date of arrival in Ireland. Financial documents and letters of invitation should be no older than 4 weeks at the time of submission.