Relationship with Non-EU Citizen who is not residing in EU.

broken sink

I am just wondering if there any place you can go for immigration advice if you start a relationship with a Non-EU Citizen who is currently not residing in the EU. I am thinking about a Solicitor or Immigration Specialist / Agency. If a strong relationship developed then I would be hoping they could move here as I live in Ireland. There is information online but I would still have questions. For a partner to get legal residency here seems like a difficult process especially for the scenario that I have outlined.

Caranica

I wouldn't waste my money on advice, the information is freely available. The "easiest" way is the de facto partnership visa but you have to have a heavily documented relationship over at least 2 years.

If they have a "critical skill" they may qualify for a work permit and therefore permission to reside, leading ultimately to a stamp 4 visa. The list of critical skills is on the DBEI website.

Plenty of websites out there with information on moving to Ireland too.

broken sink

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117781927#Comment_117781927

Thanks for the reply. In the long run I think it could be money well spent. There is so much information out there I doubt I would interpret it all correctly. For a de facto partnership you need documentary evidence of living together for 2 years. In my case that is not possible unless  the person is allowed to live in Ireland for 2 years.

Dublinandy3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117784005#Comment_117784005

If you intend to get married then that's usually the easiest option. Get married abroad, bring them back with you (if they need a short term visit visa, get one) then when you get to immigration you tell the officer your intention for them to stay with you. THey will give you a 90 day stamp in your visa, in which time you have to go register and get a longer-term visa from the INIS.

This option can seem like a ball ache but it's not. I would recommend, like has been mentioned, that you don't waste your money to get legal advice, but do contact the inis, they are quite helpful and will guide you through everything. It only seems complicated if you don't know, but just speak to them, they'll tell you how to do the above in detail, and for free.

Caranica

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117784005#Comment_117784005

Unless they have a critical skill or you get married they're simply not going to be allowed to live here for 2 years. Tourism visas don't count for residence. A student visa might be a way to test the waters but that has financial implications.

Donald Trump

OP, not a legal aspect, but there was a Guard on the radio this morning warning about fraud - especially romance scams. Yours may be a totally different situation. Just mentioning it in case

broken sink

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117784115#Comment_117784115

Thanks. This is the kind of Information I would be hoping to get and much more. What you say about marriage is interesting because would immigration in Ireland accept a marriage cert from any country I wonder. I assume the cert would would need to be in English. The person in question is working in a third country and their Visa is linked to their employment so if marriage was being considered I might need to find someplace that allows it without too much difficulty.

Readers of my post might get the idea that I am in a long distance relationship. That is not really the case at the moment.  At the moment we are only talking and I don't want to get involved if the timeframe is years and there are many too hurdles to overcome. That is why I would consider paying for advice to help us make an informed decision.

@Caranica. At the moment I don't think her work would come under the critical skills list and her English is good too.

@Donad Trump. I know that would cross peoples mind but not in this case.

All, I appreciate the replies.

Dublinandy3

I was in a long distance relationship, slightly different though it not long distance when we met but then I came to Ireland and we did the above. It doesn't matter where you get married as long as it's legit certificate. Documents not in English need to be officially translated and certified, the inis will explain.

However, if you're at the beginning just let it grow first. You're going to have to meet her and see if it clicks, for you and for her. If it was someone down the road from you you'd get to know her, see if you're compatible before thinking long term, do that first. Nothing wrong with doing your research and getting your knowledge in while that's happening.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117784005#Comment_117784005

you could go and live with them for 2 years and that would satisfy the requirement

condra

As someone married to a non-EU citizen, I regret to tell you, you have a very long road ahead. Be prepared for your partner (and yourself) to be treated with suspicion and contempt by the Irish civil service/government/gardai. The media likes to bang on about discrimination/racism in Irish life, but the public have been mostly wonderful to my wife. The ill treatment has all come from the process of getting married, applying for residency etc. She literally just wants to work, drive and live here with her husband, and the hoop jumping and buck passing we've been through and witnessed is astonishing. Let alone the snide comments about language, etc.

broken sink

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117792517#Comment_117792517

Condra, What you have described is what I would be fearful of and I think our situation might be more complicated than yours. That is why we are trying to look before we jump.

beachhead

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058205022/relationship-with-non-eu-citizen-who-is-not-residing-in-eu

For information look 1) on the Dept of Foreign Affairs website go to the INIS section;2) go the embassy website of your partners country and look at the requirement for exiting that country to come here,also there will be info on what documents he or she requires to marry a foreign national.I would advise that you get married in his or her country in which case the INIS section will advise what you need to do.You do not need professional advice unless you have a lot of money to spend.I would not advise bringing him or her here and telling immigration what you intend to do.Instead let the person come here on an ordinary visitor's visa(max 3 mths duration).Then both of you go to civil marriage registration office and state your intention to marry.You will be given a date of your choice for the ceremony.Your partner must make a return visit for the future ceremony-you cannot marry during that first visit.Do not forget that after marrying during the 2nd visit that your partner is a visitor and the ceremony does not confer residency rights.That is a long process as you say.He/she will have to leave within 3 mths and start the residence request from their home country.Finally,I would advise that you spend time in the other person' country to get to know them and their customs,family etc

broken sink

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117802468#Comment_117802468

Thanks for the detailed reply. This is the kind of information I am looking for. In your reply could you clarify one thing. You advise that it would be best to get married in her country but also talk about getting married in a registry office In Ireland on the second visit. Are you saying we have 2 options but getting married in her country is the best option ?

I have 2 questions maybe you or somebody else can answer.

If you get married in your partners country can she join you when you are returning to Ireland or does she have to apply for residency from her home country first ?

Some places make it easier for couples to get married like Denmark, Gibraltar or Cyprus. If say you got married in Gibraltar would your wife then need to return to her home country and then apply for residency in Ireland ?

Citrus_8

Wonderful advices from everyone. Just want to add:

1. Register (or some are walk-in without a registration) for a free legal advice. As long as you're a resident in Ireland and advice isn't related to business, you're entitled for a free legal advice with FLAC. Check their website. Some locations are specifically categorised for immigration advices, some are general. I think North Strand Road in Dublin close to Cineworld is one of them for immigration. They only provide around 15-20mins consultation. Best to stick with 2-3 short questions at most. If you have more, there's no limit - you an come back us many times as you want. But they cannot extend the time limit as they want accommodate and help others too. Don't trust their advices 100% as they also make mistakes. But they are normally very good. They not always can give a direct answer - sometimes refer to websites and helps to specify the info etc. It's a great support as they know more than a regular person👍

2. If you decide to get married in another country, best it to be in Europe. If not, check with the Citizen Information Centre or Inis, if they recognise marriage certificate from that particular country. Certificate should be translated to English by a qualified person and most likely approved by a solicitor or some sort of a legal person. I really strongly recommend not to cheap out and ask to put on an apostille stamp on the translated and the original certificates. Apostille. Apostille. Apostille. Simplify things as it's internationaly recognised. Keep in mind, not all countries do apostilles - only the ones which have signed a Hague Convention 1961. You can google the list of countries of which apostille is recognised by Ireland. You can also google what's an apostille and why it's so important but often forgotten by some.

Thoie

A friend of mine married an American a few years back. In terms of "documentation" one thing that the immigration officials were quite keen on was proof that the relationship was "normal" - e.g. meeting each others friends/families, hanging out together, going on holidays. Photographs of both of you with other people at "events" over the years will be helpful, so don't shy away from the cameras. Being able to say "here we are with the family at Granny's 80th birthday in 2021", and "this is us with all our friends at someone else's wedding in 2023" all add to the picture. Get some nice couple photos by all means, but get some in groups as well to show that both of you are integrated into each other's lives over a period of time.