Family Reunification
Family reunification allows eligible refugees and people with subsidiary protection in Ireland to bring certain family members to live with them. It helps families rebuild their lives together after being separated by conflict, persecution, or displacement.
Under the 2026 Act, applicants will have to wait 2 years (from the date of receiving the Ministerial Letter) before making an application for family reunification
When assessing the application, the applicant's income and claiming of social welfare/housing assistance will also be considered. Unfortunately, we do not have more details on this yet.
In addition to spouse and minor children, eligible family members will also include:
- adult children who are dependant on the applicant or living with a serious mental or physical disability
- parents who are dependant on the applicant or living with a serious mental or physical disability
Certain non-EEA nationals (e.g., those on employment permits, Stamp 4) may apply for their family members to join them in Ireland.
Please visit the Immigration official website for more information.
Applications can be made for:
• Nuclear family: spouse, civil partner, de facto partner, and unmarried children under 18
• Dependent parents
• Dependent adult children (only if they need care due to a serious health condition)
• Other relatives only in exceptional circumstances.
- A sponsor must not have relied mainly on State supports for a continuous 2 years prior to application.
- Sponsors must demonstrate they can support their family members without relying on state supports. This involves meeting minimum income thresholds which depend on the category of permit held (e.g., General or Critical Skills Employment Permits) and the number of family members.
- Some non-EEA residents must wait before applying - for example, holders of General Employment Permits typically must be resident for a period (often 12 months) before applying for family reunification.
- In general, applications for visa-required family members must be submitted before the family member travels to Ireland. For non-visa required family members, they must inform immigration officers on entry that they intend to apply for family reunification.
Category A Sponsors: Irish nationals and refugees/subsidiary protection beneficiaries
- Must have earned a gross income of at least €40,000 (above any State benefits) cumulatively over the 3 years before applying.
Category B Sponsors: Critical Skills, investors, researchers, etc.
- No minimum income threshold. Family reunification can take place even before earnings are accrued; family members may accompany the sponsor on entry provided requirements are met.
Category C Sponsors: General Employment Permit, Reactivation Permit, eligible Stamp 4 holders
- Must have a gross income in excess of €30,000 in the year prior to the application for a spouse/partner (with no children) and the expectation that this income level continues.
- For minor children (under 18): Must have a net income (previous year) above the Working Family Payment assessment level. Higher income thresholds apply (e.g., around €44,300 gross per year for one child), and the required income increases with more children.
Other conditions:
- Only the income of one sponsor is considered for these thresholds.
- Savings may be taken into account if income thresholds aren’t fully met.
- A sponsor must not have relied mainly on State supports for a continuous 2 years prior to application.
- Sponsors must maintain required income levels throughout the family’s residence in Ireland and provide evidence at renewals.
Sponsors and family members must provide evidence of:
- Family relationship and dependents’ status
- Sponsor’s identity and permission to be in Ireland
- Financial ability (income records, accommodation evidence)
- Any other documents required by the immigration authorities.
If an application is refused, the decision letter will explain why. There is a right to appeal within the policy framework, although the appeals process has limits such as restrictions if the refusal was due to fraud or misrepresentation.
