General Work Permit – Family Reunification
Family members of General Employment Permit holders, who are also non-EEA European Economic Area nationals and wish to come to Ireland, can apply for family reunification.
If you have any questions, we will be happy to help.

There is a time frame conditional element, however, which is 12 months.
A ‘sponsor’ is the holder of the General Employment Permit.
The holder of a General Employment Permit falls into Category B of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification rules, which means that the sponsor is eligible to sponsor an application for family reunification after 12 months.
The sponsored person can sponsor their close family members such as a spouse or children up to age 18 or 23 if in education.
Financial Resources of Sponsor
Financial guidelines apply to family reunification applications concerning the immediate family.
The figures set out are guidelines it is important to note. Gross income of €40k over a three year period is required where the sponsor is an Irish citizen.
Category B sponsors should have a gross income of €30,000 in the previous 2 years per year if no children.
Families with children then require :
- 1 child – €511 per week
- 2 children – €612 per week
- 3 children – €713 per week
- 4 children – €834 per week
- 5 children – €960 per week
Join Family Visa
If the sponsor has the Employment Permit, the Non-EEA family member can apply for a visa.
If the family member wishes to come to Ireland for longer than 3 months, are from a visa-required country, they must apply for a long stay join family visa.
The application is completed online.
Register with Immigration
If the family member seeking to come to Ireland has obtained the Join Family Visa, upon arrival in Ireland, it is necessary to register with your local immigration office.
The sponsor and family member should attend the appointment with the immigration officer and have the necessary documents to include, in a marriage, for example, marriage certificate, original passport, critical skills employment permit, evidence of address etc.
You can then seek the necessary Irish Residence Card.
Immigration Lawyer
If you have questions about work permits, you can speak with an immigration lawyer on (01) 546 1121 or (052) 612 1999.
Disclaimer
Please be advised that the above-mentioned material is intended as an overview and as a broad outline of the topic discussed. It should not be considered as complete and comprehensive legal advice, nor act as an appropriate substitute.
Due care has been taken in the publication of this article and we do not accept legal liability as a result of reliance on any material covered in the above article.