Non EU Join Family Visa (Irish Spouse)

[Nehshaen]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to figure out realistic information/advice for Join Family visa applications processed through the Abu Dhabi office (I hold Egyptian passport and submitted my documents with my Husband in Egypt Embassy). I submitted my application on August 26th, 2025 and I know it's early and everyone is saying up to 2 years.

My main frustrations:

North Africa countries and middleeast are all processed in Abu Dhabi which states "up to 12 months" processing time but gives ZERO transparency about which dates they're currently processing.

Questions for anyone with Abu Dhabi experience as the feedback on Google about them is brutely bad on how they are slow and rude.

All I can see, is my application have in Irish Immigration Portal is Document Accepted but yet there is InProgress Status and then Decision Status so far I have not been in InProgress since August when they accepted my paper without asking for any additional needed documents.

We believe the application is strong but could be wrong (high income, permanent job, homeowner) but apparently that doesn't matter, everyone waits the same timeline regardless of application strength.
The relationship we even submitted printed photos of trips together and we hope it is enough for them since proof of relationship seem to be hard.

My questions are since ZERO transparency:

Are they really processing chronologically or completely random?
Has anyone successfully gotten transparency from them about current processing dates?
How come does this processing end up bad by every year as people say? What have changed?

Thanks

[Ibeeby]

I don’t have any experience of this particular stream but what I would say is that an internet search on delay times is likely to lead to a pessimistic result. For example, naturalisation is said (if you google it) to take an average of 19 months but this figure pre-dates the new on-line process which is bedding in and getting down to below 12 months already. So don’t be pessimistic - just follow the process as directed would be my suggestion.

If you look on this forum you’ll find people’s timelines (which I believe are genuinely helpful) but be sure to look at the dates also because I believe that resources have been stepped up recently to match demand so times are beginning to come down in many cases so more recent posts are more likely to reflect current reality.

[Nehshaen]

Thank you! I hope it's getting better... It is just frustration as they hold onto my passport for too long so I cannot really travel elsewhere and indeed will not ask them to return it as this will cause or stop the application process.

It's fine to wait x number of months and indeed I know there is queue and process but at least transparency on where people at rather than nothing.

[learner__]

1. You can request the return of your passport while your application is processed. Email the embassy and explain that you need to travel. Ask them to confirm that they will return it without affecting your application. My wife asked for her passport to be returned in her application letter, and she got it back a week later. Her application was granted.

2. The only way to find out real timelines at the moment is through freedom of information. I've had success with this - though the news it gave me was only bad. Email foi@justice.ie with something like the below and you'll have a better idea.

If you do submit an FOI, it'll take 4-5 weeks for the response to come through. I submitted a similar request to the above (only about the Dublin visa office) and it was granted in full.

Dear FOI Officer,

I wish to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.

I am seeking statistical data relating to Join Family visa applications only where the sponsor is an Irish citizen, and the visa application is sent to the Abu Dhabi Visa Office for processing. Specifically, I request:

For applications sent to the Abu Dhabi Visa Office for processing, the number of Join Family visa applications (sponsor = Irish citizen) which received a first instance decision within 12 months of application.

For the same cohort, the number of such applications which did not receive a first instance decision within 12 months.

For the same cohort, the average processing time to first instance decision, as recorded by the Department. If average processing times are not held, I request any existing statistical records showing processing times to first instance decision for this cohort.

Please provide this data, where possible:

for each consecutive three-month period covering the past 18 months

for the most recent complete three-month period available

I would prefer to receive the information in electronic format (Excel, CSV, or PDF table).

If any aspect of this request requires clarification, I would be grateful if you could contact me to discuss rather than refuse the request under section 12(1)(b).

[Nehshaen]

I didn't know about FOI - interesting though. I will use this but I guess I will have to wait since the processing time up to 12months.

For passport to be returned, I guess I still will have to hand it back to them to stamp visa on right?

FOI sound a good way to know more information I will wait until Feb 2026 to have at least 6 months pass then will send an email.

Thank you so much for this information

I've emailed the Immigration Portal and got response that the processing office is in UAE and shall contact them for information and sadly as people shared their stories and feedback on Google, they are very bad and barely communicate anyway.

[learner__]

No problem, happy to help. We've just been through the process. My wife's visa took 12 months.

My other advice would be that they're primarily looking at two things: 1) is the relationship genuine, 2) is the Irish spouse financially stable/able to support.

We submitted additional documents directly to the visa office a few months after the initial application for more evidence in these areas.

For relationship proof, we submitted letters from friends and family attesting to the genuine nature of the relationship, and a very detailed outline of our relationship history.

For finances, I got a letter from my employer stating the full details of my employment, and a letter from the Dept of Social Protection stating that I'd never drawn any social welfare payments (you can get this online).

[Nehshaen]

Thank you and great point! we also decided to not bother until it's at least 8 months so as you mentioned and probably everyone 12 months is the minimum waiting time.

Relationship is genuine indeed, we provided wedding photos, honeymoon photos, and letter with brief on our relationship start from few years ago until marriage - I know letter is just words for them and they want proofs, I don't know if photos are enough but I guess printed photos pretty much enough as well as 2 stamps a year on Irish Passport visiting the country in past years so if this is not enough I would doubt the skills in their officers. In terms of finance yes it's stable and for years no issues at all.

I was never asked to provide a proof for social welfare however I have printed for them full details of emloyments for past years so no gaps so it's easy to see.

One question though, if they need anything extra, shouldn't they just email us easier and we send it online or to the Dubai office rather than whole route to embassy?

[learner__]

Yes, they should contact you if they need anything, but it's much easier to provide everything they might ask for in advance to make their decision easier.

I know of someone who got asked for additional documents at 20 months post application. It's only my guess - but I'd imagine the fact that it was incomplete led to the delay e.g. multiple people reviewing before they got asked for the extra documents.

[Nehshaen]

That's a good point to consider. When we submitted the application, the embassy didn't ask for anything in fact the lady even did check all papers then took off some and said no need for that and rest are good so nothing was missing.

But I like your idea of giving them more of a proof about the relationship and if I want to do so at this stage, how do I know which address I send the extra document to if I decided to do that? to Emirate processing office address? as I strongly believe if it goes to the embassy, they will tell us, deal with the processing office directly as they mentioned for any updates email them on (provided us an email address) so I guess I can just email them those document rather send a post right?

[Ahlexn]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to figure out realistic information/advice for Join Family visa applications processed through the Abu Dhabi office (I hold Egyptian passport and submitted my documents with my Husband in Egypt Embassy). I submitted my application on August 26th, 2025 and I know it's early and everyone is saying up to 2 years.

My main frustrations:

North Africa countries and middleeast are all processed in Abu Dhabi which states "up to 12 months" processing time but gives ZERO transparency about which dates they're currently processing.

Questions for anyone with Abu Dhabi experience as the feedback on Google about them is brutely bad on how they are slow and rude.

All I can see, is my application have in Irish Immigration Portal is Document Accepted but yet there is InProgress Status and then Decision Status so far I have not been in InProgress since August when they accepted my paper without asking for any additional needed documents.

We believe the application is strong but could be wrong (high income, permanent job, homeowner) but apparently that doesn't matter, everyone waits the same timeline regardless of application strength.
The relationship we even submitted printed photos of trips together and we hope it is enough for them since proof of relationship seem to be hard.

My questions are since ZERO transparency:

Are they really processing chronologically or completely random?
Has anyone successfully gotten transparency from them about current processing dates?
How come does this processing end up bad by every year as people say? What have changed?

Thanks

Hello everyone,
I am preparing supporting documents for an Irish spouse (Join Family) visa application and I would like advice from those who have already applied or been approved.
Regarding relationship evidence, especially chat/WhatsApp screenshots, how many screenshots did you include in your application?
Did you submit a few selected screenshots covering different periods, or a larger number showing ongoing communication?
Also, did you combine them into one PDF with dates visible, or submit them as separate pages?
I am trying to understand what is considered reasonable and sufficient, as the official guidance does not specify numbers.
Thank you in advance for sharing your experience.

[Nehshaen]

I submitted some images (printed some photos), screenshots of Instagram, and Facebook calls to show duration of the video/audio calls. Yet it's difficult to show on the messenger revealing both names, it does not matter the language, but the proof is mostly to focus on it being legit and showing you have been in the relationship for a while. Just submit a few screenshots, like 3 to 5, is enough. I printed them without putting them in a PDF, though if you feel you want it organized, go for it.

The whole thing is, waiting times are bad and annoying, yet God knows if anyone will care about what is submitted and/or hopefully they don't lose a document here or there, then back to you to provide something which delays even further.

I am planning in 6 months to try a solicitor if they can help me with anything. Otherwise, if no answer at the 12-month mark, I will go to court with escalation.

The stupid part is we apply for Irish spouse visa, which is the longest in the process , yet anything else is fast so where is prioritization? (In other European countries it's faster if you're the country passport holder vs other visa type.)

[TryllZ]

Hi All,

Can anyone confirm if internet printer bank statements are submitted or bank certified ?, for De-Facto its clarified as bank certified but for Non-EEA Spouse the guidance just says detailed bank statements..

I'm preparing for everything from Ireland and will only travel back home to submit, so if its Bank Certified then I need to take them with me from Ireland.

Hoping to hear back..

Thank You

[Ibeeby]

Unless the instructions expressly require certified copies then you should be ok with those your bank sends you as I understand it.

The requirement for certified copies does seem to vary across the range of documents (for instance a photocopy of a PPS card is fine but a driving licence needs to be certified by a member of An Garda Síochána). Follow the guidance.

[TryllZ]

The problem is the guidance is not clear in bank statements requirements on what needs to be submitted..

Can anyone who submitted and has acquired spouse visa clarify what was submitted..

Thanks..

[TryllZ]

Immigration support has replied with the below concerning Bank Statements for Join Family visa..

In relation to your query, all bank statements have to be certified by the bank when applying for a join family visa application.

[Ahlexn]

Hello everyone,I am a Tunisian citizen preparing my "Join Family" visa application to join my Irish citizen wife in Ireland. I am gathering all the required documents and have some urgent questions about the "original documents" rule, especially since most documents in Ireland are now digital.My wife is in Ireland and is sending me her documents. I want to make sure we do this correctly to avoid a refusal.Here are my specific questions:
1.Bank Statements: My wife's bank statements are online. If she prints them, is that enough? Or does she absolutely need to go to her bank branch and get every single page stamped by a bank official to be considered "original"?
2.Payslips: Her company issues payslips through an online HR portal. If she prints these, are they acceptable? Or should she get her HR department to stamp and sign them? Would a letter from her employer confirming the electronic payslips be a good idea?
P60s (Employment Detail Summary): These are downloaded directly from the Irish Revenue's myAccount service. Is a standard printout of the official PDF from this government website considered the "original," or does this also need a stamp (and from whom)?
4.Lease Agreement: Our tenancy agreement was signed electronically. Is a printout of this e-signed document enough? Or do we need to get a separate, physically signed letter from the landlord confirming the tenancy is active and valid?
5.General Rule: Has anyone been successful submitting high-quality printouts of digital documents without getting them stamped by the bank or HR? Or is getting everything officially stamped the only safe way to proceed?We are trying to be extremely careful with the application. Any advice from those who have successfully gone through this process, especially regarding how to handle digital Irish documents, would be incredibly helpful.Thank you so much for your time and help!

[Nehshaen]

1- Any document issued, translated or come from Ireland does not need any verification or stamp because it's already coming from their "trust" sources also easily to be checked by Ireland. When it comes to any document that need translation, I do it in Ireland and accepted 100% without need for any embassy to stamp.

2- Yes just print also tell her to go to Revenue.ie and print her Employment Detail Summary (EDS) as well as Employer letter (HR will do it in 5 mins and send her PDF to print). All of that easily no need for any stamps.

3- Tenancy agreement where names and main details such as address dates etc are visible and Landlord signed is enough beside proof of address (any Electricity/Gas bill will do)

General rule and do not overthink it, any document from Tunisia has to be Government verified (if not in English after verification, do the translate in Ireland because any translate not from Ireland you will need to verify in your country. Most of needed docs is Irish spouse related which vast majority easy to print and not a single document needed a stamp and all was accepted.

All I can tell you try to send them well printed photos with your wife where you were together send at least 5 and other proof of relationship like calls/whatsapp messages etc. Then sit back and be pissed like all of us because the most terrible visa process that I have ever seen. They do not have any order it's so random, it's like they see Irish Family (Spouse visa), it's thrown somewhere whenever the officer have the mood to work on while any other visa is processed including if you are EU & None EU family

[TryllZ]

1- Any document issued, translated or come from Ireland does not need any verification or stamp because it's already coming from their "trust" sources also easily to be checked by Ireland. When it comes to any document that need translation, I do it in Ireland and accepted 100% without need for any embassy to stamp.

3- Tenancy agreement where names and main details such as address dates etc are visible and Landlord signed is enough beside proof of address (any Electricity/Gas bill will do)

Can point 1 be considered even for internet printed bank statements ?, because immigration supports said otherwise..

As for point 2, I do not have tenancy agreement, will screenshots suffice, I have been livining here 3 years now..

[Ahlexn]

1- Any document issued, translated or come from Ireland does not need any verification or stamp because it's already coming from their "trust" sources also easily to be checked by Ireland. When it comes to any document that need translation, I do it in Ireland and accepted 100% without need for any embassy to stamp.

2- Yes just print also tell her to go to Revenue.ie and print her Employment Detail Summary (EDS) as well as Employer letter (HR will do it in 5 mins and send her PDF to print). All of that easily no need for any stamps.

3- Tenancy agreement where names and main details such as address dates etc are visible and Landlord signed is enough beside proof of address (any Electricity/Gas bill will do)

General rule and do not overthink it, any document from Tunisia has to be Government verified (if not in English after verification, do the translate in Ireland because any translate not from Ireland you will need to verify in your country. Most of needed docs is Irish spouse related which vast majority easy to print and not a single document needed a stamp and all was accepted.

All I can tell you try to send them well printed photos with your wife where you were together send at least 5 and other proof of relationship like calls/whatsapp messages etc. Then sit back and be pissed like all of us because the most terrible visa process that I have ever seen. They do not have any order it's so random, it's like they see Irish Family (Spouse visa), it's thrown somewhere whenever the officer have the mood to work on while any other visa is processed including if you are EU & None EU family

Thank you a lot for the infos, I'm submitting all what I've to be on the safe side tbh .. the only matter is my wife got promoted in the same company and they're after sending her a new contract so idk if the old bank statements will do the job like and as for the new contact should I send a copy is it enough