Spouse / Civil Partner of an Irish National – In
Ireland

Spouses and civil partners of Irish citizens who are already in Ireland may be able to get Stamp 4 permission without leaving the country. Stamp 4 lets them work or run a business without an employment permit, and spouses of Irish citizens don't pay the €300 registration fee. There are two routes, depending on current status. People who hold a current Stamp 1, 2, 3 or 4, or who entered on a join family visa, renew or register their permission as the spouse of an Irish citizen. People with no current permission, who entered on a short stay 'C' visa or whose registration was refused apply to ISD's Spouse of Irish National Unit, using a dedicated form submitted through the Customer Service Portal. In both cases, the couple must be 18 or over, married or in a civil partnership recognised under Irish law, and living together; the applicant must be of good character; and the Irish spouse must have had sufficient income over the last 3 years, not counting State benefits. The stakes differ by route: people who hold a permission can request a review within 2 months if refused, but for someone with no permission, a refusal may come with a notice of intention to deport. Civil partnerships registered abroad after 16 May 2016 aren't recognised as civil partnerships in Ireland.

Stamp 4, which lets you work or run a business without an employment permit.

If you hold a permission, you can request a review within 2 months. If you have no permission, a refusal may come with a notice of intention to deport, so careful preparation is essential.

Marriages carried out lawfully abroad are usually recognised under Irish law. We'll check your certificate.

That depends on your current permission. We'll tell you exactly what you can and can't do while you wait.

Yes. You must live together as a family unit and intend to continue living together in Ireland.