In This Section

Introduction
Immigration arrangements for civil partners
Definition of a civil partner
Treatment of civil partners in immigration cases
Partners

Introduction

This page deals with certain immigration changes resulting from the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 (No. 24 of 2010).

Immigration arrangements for civil partners

The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 (No.24 of 2010) entered into force on 13 January 2011. The immigration changes resulting from this Act are explained below.

Definition of a civil partner

A civil partner for immigration purposes is defined as either of two persons of the same sex:

  • Who are parties to a civil partnership registration carried out in Ireland in accordance with the Act where the partnership has not been dissolved or is the subject of a decree of nullity

  • Who are parties to a legal relationship of a class specified in an order made under Section 5 of the Act.

To date five Orders have been made:

Treatment of civil partners in immigration cases

A civil partner, as defined above, will be treated as equivalent in immigration matters to a person who is married to another person of the opposite sex where the marital relationship has not been dissolved or is the subject of a decree of nullity.

In summary, the immigration authorities will treat a civil partnership in the same way as marriage. Any references to marriage in the information notices on this site can be read as applicable in the same way to civil partnership.

Partners

There is no change in the manner in which partners who are neither civil partners (as defined above) nor married persons are dealt with. The existing arrangements continue to apply and the gender mix in such partnerships is not relevant to the immigration decision.