Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
910. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will address the difficulties raised in correspondence regarding a de facto partner visa (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12352/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that people who are undertaking a Working Holiday Authorisation (WHA) must leave the State on or before the expiry of their WHA and may not apply to change to a different type of immigration permission; this is clearly set out as part of the application process for a WHA..
I can further advise that my Department does not accept applications for a de-facto partner immigration permission from those who are currently resident in the State on a WHA.
If a non-EEA national is outside the State, and wishes to move to Ireland as a de facto partner, they must apply for preclearance or a ‘Join Family’ D visa, and can do so here: [www.visas.inis.gov.ie/AVATS/OnlineHome.aspx]
Further information on the requirements and application process is available at the following link: [www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/de-facto-partner-of-an-irish-or-non-eea-national/#who].
Should an individual who has left the State upon the expiry of their WHA and who wishes to re-enter for any other immigration purpose, then they will need to follow one of the legal pathways available to migrate to Ireland. Further information is available on my Departments Immigration Service website: [www.irishimmigration.ie/]
As an Oireachtas member, the Deputy can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
