Stamp 4 vs Stamp 4 EUFAM - Which is the best suited for me?

[ITGuru]

I am currently Stamp 4. My wife has acquired Irish Citizenship by Naturalisation. My kids have Irish Citizenship too. I am planning to go back to my country (Non-EU) for a while for around 4-5 years.

Which is the best in my case - Stamp 4 or Stamp 4 EUFAM? I dont want to face any troubles with GNIB when (if at all) I come back to Ireland.

[Ben]

Stamp 4 EUFam is for family members of EEA nationals. From what you have said, you don't appear to qualify for this.

[ITGuru]

I certainly qualify since my spouse is Irish Citizen.

[agniukas]

Stamp 4EUFAM is for spouses of EU nationals who are OTHER THAN IRISH. spouses of irish nationals are entitled to stamp 4 only.

[Ben]

I certainly qualify since my spouse is Irish Citizen.

Has your spouse, as an Irish citizen, ever pursued economic activity in an EEA state other than Ireland?

[El shaddai]

You are definitely not Qualify. If your wife is from any other EU Member States and Exercising her Treaty Right in Ireland then you are Qualify 100%.

[ca.funke]

Hi ITGuru,

you only qualify for Stamp4EUFam if your wife "pursued an economic activity" in another EU-country. It seems that´s out the window.

Problem #2: You say you plan to leave Ireland, and want to secure a status for a possible return to Ireland. That´s also out the window, since a possible 4EUFam only retains validity for 6 months, should you decide to leave Eire.

If you really want to leave now and "maybe" come back later, you´ll have to deal with all of this again, when you want to return...

Sorry, I didn´t make the rules, only the messenger here.

Rgds,
Christian

[ITGuru]

Ok, I now got it. I wont qualify for Stamp 4 EUFAM.

Now few more doubts.

1. How long would I get a Stamp 4 based on my wife's Irish Citizenship - 3 Year / 5 Year?. I am now stamp 4 based on my Child's Irish Citizenship.

2. How long could I stay out of Ireland if I am Stamp 4? I plan to go back to my country for a period of 4 Years. Would I face any troubles with GNIB?

Appreciate any help in this regard.

[Ben]

1. How long would I get a Stamp 4 based on my wife's Irish Citizenship - 3 Year / 5 Year?. I am now stamp 4 based on my Child's Irish Citizenship.

That seems entirely dependant on the GNIB officer who issues your Stamp 4 card. Some issue it for 5 years, some for 1. Apparently it's down to who he is and how he's feeling on the day. This is Ireland.

2. How long could I stay out of Ireland if I am Stamp 4? I plan to go back to my country for a period of 4 Years. Would I face any troubles with GNIB?

If you return to Ireland while your Stamp 4 card is still valid, you'll just be able to get on the plane and away you go. If you're a visa required national, don't forget to get a re-entry visa from INIS before you leave Ireland though, with sufficient validity.

However, if you return to Ireland after your Stamp 4 card / re-entry visa (if applicable) has expired, you'll need to apply for a spouse visa from your country, and be subject to all the usual application procedure associated with that.

[ITGuru]

I still have 2 more years validity on current Stamp 4. Would they issue a new Stamp 4 based on my wife's Irish citizenship?

What docs are required for getting stamp 4 based on Spouses's Irish Citizenship. Spouses Passport, My passport,My GNIB card, Address Proof - Any thing else?

[Ben]

Are you expecting the GNIB to replace your current Stamp 4 card with a new one? They won't. The cards themselves are the same, regardless of the reason for their issuance. In any case, some GNIB officers only give 1 year Stamp 4 for spouse of Irish national.

If you're planning on leaving Ireland for four years you need get used to the fact that you're going to have to apply for a spouse visa at the local Irish embassy in your country when you're ready to come back.

[ITGuru]

Would I be able to get a new GNIB card via Irish Embassy in my country after the current one's expiry?

[ca.funke]

Would I be able to get a new GNIB card via Irish Embassy in my country after the current one's expiry?

Nope - a GNIB card represents the fact that you legally reside in Ireland.

Thus, if you live outside the Republic, no such card will be issued.

Furthermore, as I mentioned before, any possible current card loses its validity after 6 consecutive months of absence in the Republic. (I have no idea how they want to check this, however theoretically that´s the way it is!)