New visa to allow UK citizens to bring non-EEA families to the state



[ad_1]

A new pre-authorization / visa scheme is being introduced to ensure that non-EEA family members of UK citizens who wish to move to the Republic next year can join them.

In announcing the new scheme, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said that after the Brexit transition period ends on December 31, UK citizens who wish to move to the state and bring their non-EEA family members They will no longer be eligible under the freedom of the European Union. motion directive.

“To ensure that there is an alternative route immediately after the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the pre-authorization scheme will be open for applications from 1 January 2021,” he said.

The European Economic Area, abbreviated as EEA, is made up of EU member states and three countries of the European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

A statement from the Department of Justice said that UK citizens would continue to enjoy existing arrangements in the Common Travel Area, including freedom to live and work in the State after the end of the transition period after leaving the Kingdom. Kingdom of the EU later this month.

Under the new arrangements, UK citizens will be able to sponsor their eligible non-EEA family members to join them in Ireland.

Applications are only required from those who plan to stay in the state for more than three months. The scheme applies to both non-EEA citizens who require a visa and those who do not.

Eligible non-EEA citizens can apply for a permit to live in the State before traveling to Ireland and, once insured, will be able to travel and live in the Republic with their UK national relative.

Only the spouse, domestic partner or “domestic partner” of UK citizens and the couple’s dependent children or dependent parents will be eligible to apply. Someone will be considered a domestic partner if they have “cohabited in a marriage-like relationship for a minimum period of two years” prior to their application.

Eligibility

Providing more details on the new arrangements, Ms McEntee said: “This scheme only applies when the UK citizen has come to live in Ireland after 31 December 2020 or, if he lives in Ireland before 31 December 2020. December 2020, it is not a beneficiary of the provisions on citizens’ rights under the withdrawal agreement between the UK and the European Union.

“If they live in Ireland on or before that date, they and their eligible non-EEA family members living with them will in most cases be beneficiaries under the withdrawal agreement. Non-EEA family members can simply replace their current residence permit granted under EU law with a national permit under the terms of the withdrawal agreement. “

The policy document released by the department said that the initial permit for the selected applicants would be granted for a period of 12 months. “Permits to reside are considered temporary, but can be renewed after the first year, based on Stamp 4D, for an additional two years and every three years thereafter,” he said.

the policy document establishes the eligibility criteria for the program and how to apply. Applications can be done online from January 1.

[ad_2]