Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1422. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she will amend regulations to extend visa-free travel to persons who would be entitled to the residence card of a family member of a European Union citizen were it not for the fact that they already hold residence on another more settled basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43206/22]
View answerNon-EU/EEA nationals who are family members of a European Union citizen and have a document called “Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen” (as referred to in Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004), do not need an Irish visa to travel to Ireland. Permission to enter Ireland is required, and is given or refused on arrival at the port of entry by an Immigration Officer.
There is no standard wording of residence cards issued under the terms of the Directive and it is for the issuing authority of each Member State to determine if their document falls under the terms of the Directive. Any person that is unsure if the document they have comes within the definition of the Directive, as implemented by that particular Member State, should contact the authority who issued the document for advice.
If a person is entitled to a “Residence card as a family member of a Union citizen”, they should contact the relevant authority in the Member State concerned to apply for one.
Other non-EU/EEA nationals may require an Irish entry visa to travel to the State. Any person that is unsure as to whether they require a visa or pre-clearance to enter Ireland can check the requirements for their nationality on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Immigration-Service-Delivery-Visa-and-Non-Visa-Required-Countries.pdf
Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at: www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx
