EU Family Visa (Joining or Accompanying an EU/EEA/Swiss
Citizen)

An EU family visa is the visa used by non-EEA family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who are travelling with them to Ireland or joining them here. It's based on EU free movement law, the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC), which gives these families special rights: visas are free for qualifying family members and are processed on an accelerated basis. There are two groups. Qualifying family members are spouses and civil partners, children under 21, dependent older children, and dependent parents and grandparents, including the spouse's. Permitted family members, such as de facto partners and dependent or household relatives, are assessed at the Minister's discretion; they pay the €60 fee, which is refunded if the visa is approved. The EU citizen must be exercising their free movement rights in Ireland, by working, studying or being self-sufficient, or be about to do so. The visa allows entry for up to 3 months, after which the family member applies for a residence card. Unlike other short stay visas, EU family visa refusals can still be appealed. Family members of Irish citizens usually use the separate join family route.

Yes. Unlike other short stay visas, refusals for family members of EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can still be appealed, within 2 months of the refusal letter.

No. You can travel together, or join them, as long as they'll exercise their EU rights in Ireland.

Usually not, unless the Irish citizen has lived and worked in another EU country. Most spouses of Irish citizens use the join family visa route instead.

Once you hold the residence card (Stamp 4 EUFam), you can work without a permit. We'll guide you through applying for it.