(Image: dfa.ie)It's hoped the new process can lead to more emigrants returning home.
A new process is set to make it far easier for partners of Irish citizens who aren't from the EU zone to live and work in Ireland, reports TheJournal.ie.
Under the new process, de facto partners of Irish citizens can apply for permission to reside in the country before they travel to Ireland.
Previously the application process could only happen once the Irish person's partner had arrived in the country.
Justice and Equality Minister Charlie Flanagan said the new process “will provide greater certainty for people considering or planning on moving back home to Ireland (with their partner)”.
Flanagan said he hoped the development would lead to more emigrants returning home.
''In recent times, many of our young and our most highly educated citizens have emigrated. They may have wanted to further their careers, make more money, or simply to experience the wider world.''
''While away, some have met life partners and perhaps even started their own families. We want to show these people that Ireland is ready to welcome them home and that we will provide a clear immigration and labour market pathway for their de facto partners.''
Here is what constitutes a de facto partner:
A person may be considered an individual’s de facto partner if:
- they have a mutual commitment to a shared life akin to a marriage or civil partnership in practice though not in law
- the relationship between them is genuine and continuing
- they live together or do not live separately and apart on a permanent basis
- they are not related by family
This type of immigration permission is conditional on the relationship and if the relationship ends, the permission ends.
