De Facto Relationships Ireland

fdoode

How long after you submitted the application did it take form the acknowledgement letter to arrive roughly? Just trying to get a handle on what to expect.

Neil.

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fdoode wrote: »

Hello,

I'll add my bit into the pool of people who are also living in uncertainty due to the poor information on De Facto visa applications on the INIS website.

I'm Irish, my fiancee is a South African/Australasian dual citizen and we applied just last week for de facto status or whatever they want to call it.

We have been going out 4 years and have been living together for 23 months but only have documented evidence covering 21 months. I supplied in excess of 100 photos from throughout this time, multiple text messages from 2014/15/16, Facebook messages from 2012 right through to now, whats app stats showing that my fiancee is overwhelmingly the highest recipient of messages from me, bank statements going back almost the whole time showing money going back and forth between us, Facebook status screen shots over the years, a Facebook summary of all the times I tagged her in a post, multiple flight bookings we were both on together, medical insurance for both of us, her police clearance for both Australia and south Africa, copies of all pages of all 3 passports, copies of the letters confirming the date for our civil wedding ceremony in Ireland and also some brief details of our intended wedding date and venue in Cape Town (I told them a booking confirmation email is to follow when I receive it), our cover letter outlining our application plus finally a couple of letters from family with one from a local councilor and Garda sergeant to follow also.

What are our chances? Its VERY clear from the photos that they are over a fair amount of time, as can be judged by my various beards and her variations in hair style, not to mention the ageing process and variations in my weight! The letters are thin on the ground but they confirm us at 3 different addresses in this 21 months (Between Australia and Ireland). I supplied the 100+ photos across 40 different events/slides, supplied 20 different FB messenger iPhone screen shots, 16 different PC screen grabs of different Facebook status updates of the two of us and 32 text message iPhone screen shots, all the communication contact shown is both down to earth and everyday couple type stuff with lots showing mutual commitment (In my opinion at this stage, it remains to be seen what theirs is but its certainly not frivolous content).

We have supplied everything they requested and are in the process of getting married now too so is our future in this country looking reasonably secure? We do not want to return to Australia nor do we want to be left with no option but to do so. She is not working and obviously cannot work as she is on holiday visas entering and exiting since last February. We are not aware of any other options open to us to permit her to stay on anything longer than 3 month visas, we spoke to a migration agent from Tullamore, avoid him as I was told by a lady in the Dept of Health he's a cowboy, he gave us no advice other than NOT to apply for de facto status and to simply get married, this was rubbished by the guys in passport control in Dublin airport as well as a lady over the phone in GNIB Galway, we have been given directly contradictory information by the guys on passport control in Dublin on her most recent two visits/entries to ireland (Go to GNIB/DON'T go to GNIB) GNIB do not want to hear from us as she does not have a visa to remain here (Same answer on two occasions so i'm confident this is the case). Are there other temp visas she can avail of in order to simply remain, work is less important, no kids and I have enough of a wage.

Finally is sponsorship an option in Ireland at the minute? Her background is in Transfer Agency in the finance sector in Australia and I know things have picked up in the financial sector here but are they sponsoring or are there many jobs being created much. The recruitment websites do not offer much by way of indications that sponsorship is available.

Neil.

You'll probably get the acknowledgment letter pretty quickly - within a week or so.

It sounds from the above that your fiancee is probably here on the short stay visa waiver programme? If that's the case, she won't be eligible for a De Facto Partnership visa and they'll just return the application immediately.

To be honest, you're probably best speaking to an immigration specialist on this one. I know you said you spoke with someone who gave you bad advice, but there are migration lawyers and charities that may be able to help give you clear advice.

fdoode

Lana Millions Mission wrote: »

You'll probably get the acknowledgment letter pretty quickly - within a week or so.

It sounds from the above that your fiancee is probably here on the short stay visa waiver programme? If that's the case, she won't be eligible for a De Facto Partnership visa and they'll just return the application immediately.

To be honest, you're probably best speaking to an immigration specialist on this one. I know you said you spoke with someone who gave you bad advice, but there are migration lawyers and charities that may be able to help give you clear advice.

No, she's an Australian passport holder visiting for less than 90 days, no visa, no permit, just visiting. We have got the proof of receipt back alright I think, it came registered post Friday but we will pick up tomorrow.

GreenGrass1234

Just adding our status here too in the hope of some help, we are just applying now as we are just over the 2 year mark in our relationship. During the course of our relationship (overseas), after some travel together I returned home for a couple of weddings after which I was due to move back with in my partner (overseas) but ended up with a medical issue at home within the first week and required surgery which meant I couldn't leave the country. As soon as I was cleared I went back overseas to my partner and we have lived together since, we currently live in Ireland. We also have evidence of contact every day while we were separated due to the surgery.

Is there anything apart from surgery documents that should be added or is there anything from this that might hold up or go against the visa processing?

My partners visa runs out within 6 months, does anyone know if there is a possibility of getting the visa in a shorter time frame than that at all? How long is it generally taking to process at the moment does anyone know?

Irlandesa1

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone can help us. Beginning to lose hope :-( 
I am an expat with the past 5 years and met my boyfriend in West Africa 3 years ago. Unfortunately my job meant I had to leave him and I now work and live in South America. We have spoken everyday since I left 1.5 years ago and I have visited him a number of times. We know that to apply for a defacto relationship visa means that we need to live together for 2 years beforehand however I can't get work back in West Africa where he is from and he can't get a visa to come and live with me. 
Does anyone out there have any good success stories that involve bringing a partner from off the beaten track home to Ireland? Beginning to lose hope that we can be together even thought we know we are meant to be together :-(

erinice89

Hello all,

me and my irish partner just submitted our De facto application today through the mail. Just wondering how long to we get some sort of a reply from them?

The evidence we submitted were everything that they wanted, lacking the financial joint bank accounts, and proof of staying together as my name was not on the lease in Singapore.

We have lots of photographs at different events, a photo of us together at her sisters wedding in Ireland in 2015 and photos of our emails and chats and calls. we also did mention that we are renting an apartment of our own right now, staying together. we also have wedding invites with our names, cards for christmas and st patrick etc

i would like to know if there is anyone on this forum in the same situation who got approved/rejected and how is the process like?

Jack09

Erinice89 -- Did you send in utility bills in the apartment in Singapore? Since you weren't on the lease, were you on the bills?
Also did you send in your separate bank statements?

Irlandesa1 - would you consider marriage?

erinice89

Hey Jack,

no.We dont have any financial evidence the bank transfer that we did to each other has to be dug out and printed in the singapore bank. It is not common for couples to be staying together before marriage as well, given that Singapore is still quite conservative

my partner moved back to Ireland in September 2015 as she secured a job. I recently came here to apply for the de facto partnership.

I want to know what are my chances given that we dont have cohabitation proof, but everything else, travelling together etc. and that we are actually renting our own small apartment

Jack09

erinice89 wrote: »

Hey Jack,

no.We dont have any financial evidence the bank transfer that we did to each other has to be dug out and printed in the singapore bank. It is not common for couples to be staying together before marriage as well, given that Singapore is still quite conservative

my partner moved back to Ireland in September 2015 as she secured a job. I recently came here to apply for the de facto partnership.

I want to know what are my chances given that we dont have cohabitation proof, but everything else, travelling together etc. and that we are actually renting our own small apartment

Even if you don't have a joint account you are still required to send your individual bank statements for your separate accounts.

I think, by not 100% sure, if you haven't been living together/cohabiting for the last 24 months you'll need to show humanitarian reasons for you in Signapore and her in Ireland.

Here is the info on INIS: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/De%20Facto%20Relationships%20with%20an%20Irish%20National%20or%20Irish%20Resident%20-%20Guidelines%20for%20applicants
INIS "Partners who are not living together at the time of the Application will be required to give compelling reasons for this. It may be the case that there are compelling humanitarian reasons for this for example if the Applicant is, for a short time, caring for a sick relative in another country and the Sponsor is not in a position to travel due to work commitments these facts may be taken into consideration. Please note it will still be necessary to show cohabitation for a full two year period but humanitarian situations will be considered."

erinice89

well we didnt send in our individual bank accounts but if they want to we can, as we are more than financially able to look after ourselves.

"Partners who are not living together at the time of the Application will be required to give compelling reasons for this."

The thing is now that we filed our application we are living together. in fact we did write in saying we got an apartment solely for staying together.

Yes I know that alot of people have got rejected without those evidences despite having a long standing relationship.

Still, would you know how long they would take to give me an official reply?

Jack09

erinice89 wrote: »

well we didnt send in our individual bank accounts but if they want to we can, as we are more than financially able to look after ourselves.

"Partners who are not living together at the time of the Application will be required to give compelling reasons for this."

The thing is now that we filed our application we are living together. in fact we did write in saying we got an apartment solely for staying together.

Yes I know that alot of people have got rejected without those evidences despite having a long standing relationship.

Still, would you know how long they would take to give me an official reply?

Generally they will send receipt of the application in a week/two after it's received. About 5 months later we got a letter looking for updated info. Then 2 weeks later got the decision letter. So is was 6 months for us to get a decision.

Hopefully they will be okay with your situation, the only thing you'll need to address is there sentences:
1. Please note it will still be necessary to show cohabitation for a full two year period but humanitarian situations will be considered.
2. the couple must be able to show that they have been living together for at least two full years immediately prior to the date of application


Fingers crossed
Once you have received the first letter you will be given an ID personal number which you can use to send updated info or emails

erinice89

Yea this is the BIGGEST problem so far!

1. In Asia it is not common for unmarried couples to be staying together as its considered taboo.
2. during my relationship my family broke up, my dad cheated on my mum and we caught him

I had to make sure my mum was ok (it was a marriage of over 30 years) so it was impossible to stay together fully. the best I did was to stay alternating days at my parents home and at my partners place.

I am writing a letter to highlight of this special circumstances, attached with my Mother's Private Inestigator report to show that im not pulling a fast one on them. I do hope they consider this as "humanitarian situations"

has anyone heard of anybody who had a 'humanitarian situation'?

Skiyass

850731galway wrote: »

I lodged an application with my partner in May and the acknowledgement letter we received stated that they were still going through cases received in November 2015! Don't give up

After how long you get your confirmation letter from INIS? I just put mine and i can remain here only 1 month((

ElChe32

Guys we've been asked to show private medical insurance for my girlfriend, does travel insurance cover her?

Skiyass

ElChe32 wrote: »

Guys we've been asked to show private medical insurance for my girlfriend, does travel insurance cover her?

For application i put my travel insurance and I've been asked too, so had to do private insurance for year.

ElChe32

Well today has been a good day and it's only 9.30!

Less than two weeks after being asked for updated proofs and the med insurance we got our de facto acceptance letter in the post this morning.

Delighted!

Hang in there all of you who are still waiting for yours!

LJ25

ElChe32 wrote: »

Well today has been a good day and it's only 9.30!

Less than two weeks after being asked for updated proofs and the med insurance we got our de facto acceptance letter in the post this morning.

Delighted!

Hang in there all of you who are still waiting for yours!

We have sent our application today, fingers crossed and let's wait for a few months.

treehanson

Skiyass wrote: »

For application i put my travel insurance and I've been asked too, so had to do private insurance for year.

I'm the de facto applicant, currently in Ireland with travel insurance. Will I need to obtain private insurance, or just my (Irish) sponsor?

ElChe32

treehanson wrote: »

I'm the de facto applicant, currently in Ireland with travel insurance. Will I need to obtain private insurance, or just my (Irish) sponsor?

You will need private medical (travel) insurance, not your Irish partner. My gf got hers for about 400$ which was accepted by INIS.

Sabina1

markiemark2005 wrote: »

Dont think there is a limit, but after 5 years your partner will be able to apply for a permanent residency visa.

Hi there I want to go put my de facto case any one knows actually what strong avoidance we need it
I've already many prove but just for more good information before submitting my case..
My girlfriend from Poland and she working in hospital last 5 years we are living together and I've one years WhatsApp all history screenshots we have joint account here in Ireland I've bills on my name and have a lots of pictures I've traveling tickets hotel booking our names

ElChe32

Sabina1 wrote: »

Hi there I want to go put my de facto case any one knows actually what strong avoidance we need it
I've already many prove but just for more good information before submitting my case..
My girlfriend from Poland and she working in hospital last 5 years we are living together and I've one years WhatsApp all history screenshots we have joint account here in Ireland I've bills on my name and have a lots of pictures I've traveling tickets hotel booking our names

Pretty confusing post Sabina1. I'm guessing you are non-EU while your girlfriend is Polish? There are many proofs that are accepted by INIS - bills with both names, bankstatements, rent book etc. You need to fill out the new De Facto Relationship form which you find on the INIS website ( I sent my application in a few days before the form was released).

mrtncrrll

Hi All,

Myself (Irish) and my partner have submitted the De-facto application for a visa. We met almost all the requirements listed on the website as we lived together over 2 years with both names on the tenancy agreement and had joint bank account etc.. the issue we had is that we applied after her study permission expired and was only present as a visitor (90days non-visa required) and she now is no longer in the country.

Does anyone know if its possible to get the permission while the applicant is no longer in Ireland and then enter to get the stamp if successful, or has anyone had a similar circumstances ? Any advice appreciated..

marksyno

ElChe32 wrote: »

Hey guys, quick question. Myself and my gf are going to apply for the de facto relationship visa, she's currently here in Ireland and her current student visa is up in September. We want to get the de facto application in in the next few weeks and I know the process can take some months. Will my gf be able to return home (US Citizen) while we wait for an answer then return here if we are successful? She can't afford not to be working after september.

Any help would be great,

Hi,

I am currently in the same situation and wondering how things worked out for you ?

catclark123

marksyno wrote: »

Hi,

I am currently in the same situation and wondering how things worked out for you ?

Hi- I am in the exact same situation. How did you resolve it? Any and all guidance is appreciated!!

leesacrow

erinice89 wrote: »

Hey Jack,

no.We dont have any financial evidence the bank transfer that we did to each other has to be dug out and printed in the singapore bank. It is not common for couples to be staying together before marriage as well, given that Singapore is still quite conservative

my partner moved back to Ireland in September 2015 as she secured a job. I recently came here to apply for the de facto partnership.

I want to know what are my chances given that we dont have cohabitation proof, but everything else, travelling together etc. and that we are actually renting our own small apartment

Hi. i'm in a similar situation to you in relation to inability too prove living together. Just wondering how it worked out for you?

ElChe32

marksyno wrote: »

Hi,

I am currently in the same situation and wondering how things worked out for you ?

catclark123 wrote: »

Hi- I am in the exact same situation. How did you resolve it? Any and all guidance is appreciated!!

Hey both,

We got the application in and she was able to remain in Ireland until it was processed. I think in all it took 6 months or so (it's over 3 years since we applied). Thankfully we were granted the De Facto and have renewed on a number of occasions. It was due for renewal in April of 2020 but with Covid19 the visa has been extended on two separate occasions. I think the application process has changed since we applied so there could be someone in a better position to clear up any questions now.

Craig_David

Has anyone went through the process in the past year?
How long did it all take after submitting the application?

thanks

Rachel W1

Craig_David wrote: »

Has anyone went through the process in the past year?
How long did it all take after submitting the application?

thanks

Hi,

Me and my partner just went through this process, my partner is Canadian I’m Irish. We submitted our application in December 2020, we heard nothing until start of May 2021 asking for more documents such as updated bank statements as they had now been out of the 6 month scope needed to apply. Soon after that we received our letter granting us the visa. Still need to register for stamp 4 but i believe the hard part is now over. My partner was here on the Working Holiday Visa initially. If you have any questions I’m happy to help

Mer12

Hi, me (Non-eu) and my partner (Irish) applied for DeFacto visa around 2 weeks ago. My student visa expires in 2 months. Did anyone have the same problem and still got the visa? Or there's any chance to get stamp 3 in between this period to be able to go abroad and come back.

Thanks

Craig_David

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117399168#Comment_117399168

Thanks for the info

Did you require a solicitor to assist with the process?

Mer12

Hi, just to update everyone here, I recently got my DeFacto visa. I prepared documents myself and just got the solicitor to sign it before submitting as it's required. A few weeks later I got a letter showing my app reference number and the date it was received. The waiting process after that took 5 and a half months, then we received a letter to submit updated bank statements and bills. It also took around 2 weeks to get the last letter that was saying I was granted to the visa. Then later booked an online appointment from the immigration office in Dublin and went there with my partner. Just after a week I received the residence permit card.

Hope everyone's application will go smoothly :)

Craig_David

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118497216#Comment_118497216

Cheers for the update.

We submitted our application early February and received the acknowledgement a few weeks after that. Guess we wont hear anything further for a few months.,

Miladoll

my advise is to really be patient which was the hardest as the uncertainty makes you listless. Once you have submitted the documents and have the application signed by a solicitor and received your app #, some receive within 2weeks but the truth is , it honestly takes 5-6months nothing you can do, say , email nothing can change that. My advise will be spend time together and if your partner wishes to keep busy doing volunteering community or arts refurbishing or meeting groups - try the meet up app, or hobbies gym swimming because those 5-6 months will drive you nuts it is a true test of both of you and it can make ye stronger hang in there. You can celebrate in August cheers . The system is overloaded and understandably so covid and war just messy

gavmcg92

Hi all,

In the process of printing documents for our application at the moment. Have all of the main documents done and are now onto the more personal information (birthday/valentine's/anniversary cards, Airbnb receipts from trips away, photos etc). We also have an export of our WhatsApp chat. Do I need to print it all off? Its like 700 pages long! Surely that's not necessary?

Thanks,

G

Miladoll

Hallo

My case was quite complex and long process but I am happy to share I was granted.

This process will challenge you and I know what it feel like , so I am happy to answer questions as best as I can jiunelson@gmail.com .

user020892

Hi All,

Has anyone recently changed their existing residency permission to defacto partner permission of a CSEP holder? How long did the process take? I am changing my existing Stamp 1G permission to a defacto visa as my partner is a CSEP holder. And I can see that the processing time mentioned on the INIS website is 6-12 months, but the local immigration officer said, these types of applications are unique and would not take long. Has anyone gone through the process here recently? How long did it take?

gavmcg92

Just as a way of an update. Myself and my partner are still waiting to hear back from immigration on our defacto application. We sent it in at the start of August 22 and their recent correspondence to us says the are currently dealing with applications from May 2022.

So looks like 9 months plus is now a safer estimate for everyone instead of the 6 to 9 months on the website. Disappointing is an understatement. Surely this department needs more resources...

gavmcg92

Got a letter in from dept of justice today which says that "as an exceptional measure" they are granting a 12 month stamp 4 under defacto for my partner and I. Guess they're trying to clear the backlog with these "exceptional" 12 month visas. So we're coming on 9 months from when we first sent in our pack and based on the replies to the emails we were sending them looking for updates, the current time frame is about 12 months for your case to be reviewed.

They didn't ask us for any additional information over and above our first pack so not even sure if they looked at it in any great detail.

Happy to get this out of the way though. Has been an incredibly stressful process. Give yourselves 12 months plus for this process!

Girl Geraldine

Why don't ye just get married and ye would avoid all this bullshít.

Now I must be clear, I am saying "get married" not "have a wedding". Getting married takes 30 minutes in a registry office and does not cost anything.

user020892

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120518393#Comment_120518393

Congrats to both of you!...and thank you for replying. I recently heard about this exceptional circumstances through an immigration officer. They said if the defacto sponsor is inching closer to Stamp 4, Naturalisation, or is already on Stamp 4, the defacto partner will get Stamp 4. Is this true in your case?

By the way, I enquired in Feb, they said May 22 to me too. Our local immigration officer advised us not to bother them too much about the status update, because the reviewing officer may get frustrated and push the file back. However, they also said that the defacto unit doesn't have too much load, especially in our type of application (viz. changing Stamp 1G status to defacto), so the process is quick, I am not sure about yours. But getting the same replies on the email as you, I doubt the officer.

Again, hugely appreciate your reply.

gavmcg92

So my partner was on their last 1G visa and it was set to expire at the end of July. That's why there was such urgency on our part. So he has been in the State for 5 years at this point.

We have our appointment with immigration today but as far as I know it is a stamp 4 that he is being moved over to.

We emailed them once a month from month 7 on.

Is the sponsor in your case Irish? As bad as it sounds, I've heard that non Irish, European passport holder sponsors have to have their case resolved in 6 months or less and so are prioritised. Not sure how true this is but I was in touch with an immigrant council and they confirmed as such. Seems a bit unfair that Europeans are given a better, faster service than Irish nationals.

European law for one and local law for the other I guess...

user020892

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120606784#Comment_120606784

I hope the appointment went well.

My partner is on a Stamp 1 which expires first week of August and I am non-European and on Stamp 1 work permit too. He was recently laid off from work, so he was given six months on his permission to find an alternative. So, he will be changing his status from Stamp 1 to a defacto visa, if it gets approved. We applied in Feb as I mentioned (the same time he was laid off), so we are in a bit of rush to get the dafacto sorted out asap. After the advice from the immigration officer, we decided we will email them by June, to get the status. We emailed them 1 or 2 times in Feb, because the officer also said that we will get our defacto visa in a couple of weeks, but we have stopped since then.

user020892

Just an update, we received the decision today and we have been granted the defacto visa. We sent our application on Feb 1, 2023, and received our final decision on 1 Jun 2023.

gavmcg92

Good stuff! 1 year or more?

user020892

Just until the date my card expires which is less than a year.