Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 510: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that non-visa required nationals who enter the State as the spouse of an Irish citizen are usually given only a 90 day stamp, rather than the year long D visa which is often given to visa required nationals who enter the State on the same basis, and that this may result in them being directed by the official at the local registration office to formally apply to INIS for residency; if he will review the procedures to ensure that non-visa required nationals are not being disadvantaged relative to visa required nationals in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29634/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Non-visa required nationals who enter the State to reside with an Irish spouse are required to attend their local Registration Office within 90 days and request permission to be registered as resident in the State on the basis of marriage to an Irish national. In some cases, the local registration office will refer the matter to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service for further investigation.

Visa required nationals are subject to pre-entry clearance before travelling to the State. If such persons wish to reside in the State with an Irish spouse, they must apply for a visa on the basis of marriage to an Irish national. This application process involves an investigation into the status of the marriage in question. At that time if the Visa Officer is satisfied as to the bona fides of the marriage, a D-visa may issue.