EU1 and Visa Expiration

[madakaczka]

Hello all,

My wife got her single journey visa approved until July 21st but as we all know, the current situation with covid-19 has imposed flight restrictions on many countries in Europe.

If she comes in July (Say July 15th when we hope the flight restrictions will be lifted), is she still eligible to apply for the residence card and stay in Ireland even though her Visa expires two weeks after her arrival? What about the letter of acknowledgment and permision to stay?

Thanks,
Kacper

[littlerr]

The visa serves as a purpose of entry permission. It has no impact on the residence permission.

So if your spouse’s visa is valid from 21 April to 21 July, that means your wife can enter Ireland within this period.

On her arrival, the immigration control officer at the airport will determine how long she can stay in Ireland in accordance to the law. In this case they will allow her to stay in Ireland for 3 months.

She will then apply for EU1, get a temporary permission letter first and eventually a final decision letter. These letters give her the permission to actually reside in Ireland within the period specified in them.

[madakaczka]

@littlerr, thank you so much for your detailed answer, it helps a lot!

Mind me also asking, what is the difference between registering with GNIB and EU1? We seem to be very confused about it because they seem to be the same things? Would you mind explaining it please? Do we register with Garda first before applying for EU1 form?

Thank you,
Kacper

[littlerr]

1. Arrive in Ireland. In the airport, tell the immigration officer that you would like to exercise EU treaty rights. The officer will give her the temporary 90-day stamp.

2. Within 90 days, complete your EU1 form and gather your proofs of residence. The application form will tell you what documents you need to send.

3. Send the application to the correct EU treaty department in INIS.

4. INIS will send her a temporary permission letter in a few weeks. The letter will normally say that she can live here for around 6 months.

5. Bring this letter to GNIB (or local Garda station if outside Dublin). The officer will give her a residence stamp and she will receive an IRP card in the post in a few days. This card is her proof of registration. By law she should carry that at all times (although nobody does that) as proof of legal residence.

6. In around 6 months' time, she will receive a final decision letter from INIS. That letter (if approved) will say she can live here for 5 years.

7. Bring this new letter to GNIB/local Garda station. The officer will give her a new stamp and she will receive a new IRP card.

8. At the end of 5 years, she can apply for EU3 (permanent residence) or naturalisation.

[madakaczka]

Thank you so much littlerr. You have blown away all our issues and confusions. Many thanks again.