Hello, sorry for a lengthy description here! I’m an American and I lived in Ireland on a working holiday. Towards the end of my WHA I applied for a general employment permit (went in person to GNIB offices and was told I could apply from within the country, turns out I could not). I applied in the three month time frame stated and had no answer. My company contacted a solicitor who advised I could continue living and working as I had proof I submitted the application when I was meant to.
Just over one month after my WHA expired I went on vacation back to the U.S. When returning I explained and was told at passport control I was given the wrong legal advice and I’d been residing illegally. They allowed me one month (standard is 3 for American). I immediately ceased working and left the country to apply again. My permit was refused (salary not high enough) and I returned for my things then went to Belfast. After another trip to America I flew into Dublin but had a flight to go to Manchester. The passport control again allowed me one month and said to get stamps showing I left, which England does not do from Ireland, and neither did the airport in Belfast after that. I went to Spain and got a 6 month stamp when returning to Belfast.
Now the most recent time I went to Belfast I was refused entry and sent back to most recent port (Paris) without even being allowed to collect my things. The reasons stated were basically that they felt I was using Belfast because I “would not be acceptable to return to Ireland due to lack of visa”. I don’t think this is true, but that is what is said in the notice of why I was refused entry. My boyfriend and I have been discussing marriage since my WHA expired, I am just wondering a few things:
1. Will the Irish passport control request a copy of the refusal letter?
2. If so, will it mean I am not allowed to come to Ireland on a spouse visa? We plan to marry about 2 months after the refusal, is it better to wait longer?
Thank you for any help, sorry for the confusing story!
- FAQ
- Login
- Register
- Call Workpermit.com for a paid service +44 (0)344-991-9222