Skip to main content

British and South African dependants (summary version)

eu and South African passports
All The Info

Joining your UK national family member in Ireland from 1st Jan 2021

Summary: Joining Your UK National Family Member in Ireland (Post-1 January 2021)

From 31 December 2020, non-EEA family members of UK nationals must apply for preclearance visa before travelling to Ireland to join their UK family member.

Even though South African passport holders usually do not require a visa to enter Ireland, they must now obtain preclearance if joining a UK citizen under this scheme.

UK passport holders themselves can enter freely under the Common Travel Area (CTA), but non-EEA family members cannot enter without approval.

Key Points:

  • This scheme applies only if the UK national moved to live in Ireland after 31 December 2020.

  • Do not apply if your stay will be less than 3 months.

  • Family reunification is not automatic — UK nationals may sponsor applications, but each case is individually assessed.

  • Proof of relationship and eligibility must be strong and clearly documented, as recent declines have highlighted the need for high-quality evidence.

Applicants should allow around 12 months for processing. This application is a “Monster” and does take alot of time and effort to get it right! Do not under-estimate this application! We highly recommend a coaching session to ensure you get this one correct!

Coaching Session

Who can a UK passport holder sponsor?

Summary: Am I Eligible to Apply Under This Scheme?

You may apply if you meet all the following criteria:

  • You are a non-EEA, non-Swiss national.

  • You are being sponsored by a UK national.

  • You are ordinarily resident outside of Ireland.

  • You are of good character and standing, with a police clearance certificate (or equivalent) less than 6 months old from each country you have lived in over the past five years.

  • You can provide documentary evidence of your relationship to the UK national.

  • You intend to live permanently with your UK family member in Ireland.

  • You have private medical insurance from a provider authorised by the Health Insurance Authority of Ireland.

You must also fall into one of these categories:

Category 1:

  • Spouse

  • Civil partner

  • De facto partner (aged 18 or older)

Category 2:

  • Dependent child of the sponsor, spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner.

Category 3:

  • Dependent parent (aged 66 or older) of the sponsor, spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner.

Important:
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee that your application will be approved. You must be formally invited by an eligible UK sponsor to apply.

An eligible UK sponsor must:

Summary: Requirements for a UK National Sponsor

To sponsor a family member under this scheme, a UK national must meet the following conditions:

  • Be a UK national.

  • Intend to reside in Ireland or already be living in the State.

  • Be financially self-sufficient, meaning not reliant on social welfare and able to fully support the applicant(s) without access to public funds.

  • Not have sponsored another person within the 7 years prior to this application (for spouse, civil partner, or de facto partner sponsorships).

  • Not have been predominantly or fully reliant on social welfare benefits for two years or more immediately before the application.

Income Requirements:

  • The sponsor must have earned a gross income above the Working Family Payment (WFP) thresholds for each of the previous 3 years.

  • If there are no children, the minimum gross income required is €20,000 per year (exclusive of any State benefits).

  • If multiple family members or dependent parents are involved, a higher income threshold will apply (details based on WFP rates).

Do I need a visa and what is this preclearance?

Summary: Preclearance and Visa Requirements for Joining a UK National in Ireland

To apply under this scheme, you must secure a Preclearance Approval Letter and a D-Join Family UK National Visa before travelling to Ireland.

Key Points:

  • Applications must be made before entering Ireland.

  • You must apply from your home country or a country where you are legally resident. Proof of legal residence may be requested.

  • Applicants must remain outside Ireland while their application is processed.

  • Processing times can take around 12 months, so plan accordingly.

  • Entry is not guaranteed: Even with a preclearance letter and visa, an Immigration Officer at the border may refuse entry.