A guide to bringing your family to Ireland — dependent visas, your spouse's right to work, family reunification rules, and what to sort out when you arrive together.
2 guides in this topic
How to bring your spouse, partner, or children to Ireland — dependent visas, immigration stamps, and work rights for family members.
6 min read
Can your spouse or partner work in Ireland? It depends on your own immigration status. Here's a clear breakdown of who gets what rights.
4 min read
Moving to Ireland as a family involves additional planning — your partner and children may need their own visas or permissions, and the rights they have in Ireland (including work rights) depend on your own immigration status. Planning well in advance avoids delays and ensures everyone can settle in smoothly.
If you're an EU/EEA citizen, your family members — including non-EU spouses, children, and dependent parents — have the right to join you in Ireland under EU free movement rules. Non-EU family members may need to apply for a Residence Card from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS). This is different from a work visa and should be applied for promptly on arrival.
If you hold a Critical Skills Employment Permit, your spouse/partner is entitled to a Stamp 1G permission — this allows them to work for any employer in Ireland without a separate work permit. This is a significant benefit and a key reason why the Critical Skills permit is more attractive than the General Employment Permit.
Holders of a General Employment Permit can bring dependent family members, but spouses receive a Stamp 3, which does not permit work. To work, they would need their own separate work permit.
Children of non-EU nationals living in Ireland are generally granted the same stamp/permission as their parents. Children born in Ireland to non-EU parents do not automatically receive Irish citizenship (this changed in 2004). Irish citizenship by birth applies only if at least one parent is an Irish or EU citizen, or if a parent has been lawfully resident in Ireland for 3 of the 4 years preceding the birth.
Non-EU nationals who are legally resident in Ireland can apply to have family members join them under the International Protection Act or through the general family reunification policy. Requirements vary depending on your immigration status and the relationship. Applications go through INIS and processing times vary.
When arriving as a family, prioritise: PPS numbers for all family members (including children who will attend school), school enrolment (start early — popular schools fill up), GP registration for the whole family, and registering all family members with immigration if required.
How to bring your spouse, partner, or children to Ireland — dependent visas, immigration stamps, and work rights for family members.
Can your spouse or partner work in Ireland? It depends on your own immigration status. Here's a clear breakdown of who gets what rights.