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Join spouse visa approved

Forum to discuss all things Blarney | Ireland immigration

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Kenyacroatianireland
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Spouse visa

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Tue Jun 19, 2018 9:42 am

Hello everyone.im new here and I have a question that I'd like all all of you to help me with. I'm a Kenyan getting marrying a croatian guy who has been living and working in Ireland for One year six months. We've known each other for 9months.after marriage I want to join him in Ireland where we plan to stay together.he has come to Kenya twice already. So which visa should we apply for:as in short stay or long stay? And what documents should I include during the application? And do I need a medical insurance, if yes for how long?. Thanks in advance

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Zoot7
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Re: Spouse visa

Post by Zoot7 » Thu Jun 21, 2018 8:05 pm

This is the one you want to apply for, the supporting documents required are included there.

http://inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Family ... 20citizens

It's actually a Short Stay visa, but if it's granted you use the 90 days you get to stay to apply under the EU1 form.

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/EU+Treaty+Rights

Read up those.

Kenyacroatianireland
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All WhatsApp messages required

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:14 am

Hello guys. So being a Kenyan(non eu) married to EU in Ireland. During my visa application to join my eu spouse in Ireland i was requested to bring print out all our WhatsApp conversations. My question is isn't that invasion of privacy?Because we are married and I had marriage certificate, photos taken in Kenya, flights, hotel bookings, entry visas, bus and train tickets etc. Is this how it normally done?and how long does it take before the visa is out, its been 6 weeks already since my application yet there is no response. I applied for short stay join eu spouse

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Re: All WhatsApp messages required

Post by littlerr » Wed Sep 19, 2018 9:58 am

Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:14 am
Hello guys. So being a Kenyan(non eu) married to EU in Ireland. During my visa application to join my eu spouse in Ireland i was requested to bring print out all our WhatsApp conversations. My question is isn't that invasion of privacy?Because we are married and I had marriage certificate, photos taken in Kenya, flights, hotel bookings, entry visas, bus and train tickets etc. Is this how it normally done?and how long does it take before the visa is out, its been 6 weeks already since my application yet there is no response. I applied for short stay join eu spouse
They can't be specifically ask you to print out whatsapp message. Especially the complete message. It's most likely that the visa officer is simply not convinced enough by the evidences that you presented and wants to see more evidences. Unfortunately this does happen to citizens of a few countries where sham marriage is a norm.

The sole purpose is to establish that the marriage is genuine. I don't even use whatsapp with my fiancee. When my fiancee applied for De Facto back then, we provided proofs that we have a joint bank account, printed out about 20 Facebook statuses for birthday/anniversary/holidays that have the other one in it (we don't even post photos on Facebook), and for those holidays we provided hotel/flight bookings (about 5 of them), and finally a few screenshots that shows we have regular phone calls / text messages. For text messages, we only selected a few where it doesn't expose anything personal. It's more of those "where are we going for dinner tonight" or "let's go for a rubbish tomorrow?"

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Re: All WhatsApp messages required

Post by Jordans » Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:05 am

Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Wed Sep 19, 2018 7:14 am
Hello guys. So being a Kenyan(non eu) married to EU in Ireland. During my visa application to join my eu spouse in Ireland i was requested to bring print out all our WhatsApp conversations. My question is isn't that invasion of privacy?Because we are married and I had marriage certificate, photos taken in Kenya, flights, hotel bookings, entry visas, bus and train tickets etc. Is this how it normally done?and how long does it take before the visa is out, its been 6 weeks already since my application yet there is no response. I applied for short stay join eu spouse
You can screenshot only those messages that do not contain information you are unwilling to share, alternatively just edit the screenshot and black out this information. Scroll to the very beginning as it is important to show when you began communicating. Do not leave out emojis, pictures, happy birthdays or goodnights. Put them all in one file if sending by email and yes, do send them these screenshots.

Kenyacroatianireland
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Re: All WhatsApp messages required

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:12 am

At first I did submit the screenshots but the lady at the counter refused to take them and sent me back to export the WhatsApp messages to my email then print them all out. After I did that I booked for another appointment. Luckily they took my documents. Now it's been 6weeks but no response regarding my visa status

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Re: All WhatsApp messages required

Post by littlerr » Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:17 am

Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:12 am
At first I did submit the screenshots but the lady at the counter refused to take them and sent me back to export the WhatsApp messages to my email then print them all out. After I did that I booked for another appointment. Luckily they took my documents. Now it's been 6weeks but no response regarding my visa status
If that's the case, yes that would definitely be an invasion of privacy. A counter staff (who isn't even the visa officer) has no authority to view all of your personal chats. I would encourage you to file an official complaint letter (maybe after you get the visa approval).

Visa processing time is different for each category and in each country, so I don't know what's the normal waiting time. However, as stated on INIS website http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Cu ... sing_Times , "For most visas, you can expect a decision 8 weeks after it was received by the Irish Visa Office, Embassy or Consulate you sent it to. Applications for a Join Family visa take longer."

Kenyacroatianireland
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Re: All WhatsApp messages required

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Wed Sep 19, 2018 12:15 pm

Thank guys

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Re: All WhatsApp messages required

Post by shpirtshqipe » Thu Sep 20, 2018 9:22 am

littlerr wrote:
Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:17 am
Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Wed Sep 19, 2018 10:12 am
At first I did submit the screenshots but the lady at the counter refused to take them and sent me back to export the WhatsApp messages to my email then print them all out. After I did that I booked for another appointment. Luckily they took my documents. Now it's been 6weeks but no response regarding my visa status
If that's the case, yes that would definitely be an invasion of privacy. A counter staff (who isn't even the visa officer) has no authority to view all of your personal chats. I would encourage you to file an official complaint letter (maybe after you get the visa approval).

Visa processing time is different for each category and in each country, so I don't know what's the normal waiting time. However, as stated on INIS website http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Cu ... sing_Times , "For most visas, you can expect a decision 8 weeks after it was received by the Irish Visa Office, Embassy or Consulate you sent it to. Applications for a Join Family visa take longer."
For clarification purposes “the person at the counter” IS in fact an Immigration Officer (asked them myself to confirm their status) acting on behalf of INIS. Theferore they reserve the full powers to request and view documents for appropriateness.

In terms of the OP’s issue of privacy.
After printing all the WhatsApp conversations if the OP blanked out the sensitive and private parts of the conversation, she was within her rights preserving her privacy. Irrespective of how many words the OP blanked out the conversation the INIS Officer would’ve still been able to establish the genuineness of the relationship in the way the conversations flowed, period of time, consistency etc.

Kenyacroatianireland
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SPOUSE VISA REFUSED

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Fri Sep 21, 2018 1:20 pm

It's me again, today I got an email of rejection and I'd like you guys to advise me on whether to appeal or reply also the steps I should take and if its better to get a lawyer. Here are the reasons

"Based on the documents submitted, your family relationship with the EU national
sponsor has not been proven. You have submitted a copy of a marriage certificate as
proof of your relationship to your sponsor xxxx. It is noted that this copy is
of poor quality. It is not attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as would be
expected from a state registered certificate.
You have also submitted a birth certificate as evidence of your identity. Your date of
birth is listed as xxxxx, yet this certificate was not issued until 07/12/2011. No
reason has been provided for the late issuance of your birth certificate. Furthermore, the
date of registration and your father’s name are handwritten on this certificate. Likewise,
it is not attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as would be expected from a state
registered certificate.
The errors and inconsistencies detailed result in a position where the authenticity of any
submitted documentation relating to your family relationship with your EU citizen
sponsor is questionable and the submitted documentation cannot be relied upon as
evidence. It is reasonable to expect that consistent documentary evidence would be
provided to allow for your eligibility for a visa to be ascertained.
In order to prove you are a beneficiary under the Directive, it is essential that you
submit appropriate evidences of the stated relationship. In this case, you have failed to
prove your relationship to the sponsor.
As stated in A.M.Y. v Minister for Justice [2008] IEHC 306, “there is no onus on the
Minister to make inquiries seeking to bolster an applicant’s claim; it is for the applicant
to present the relevant facts.” It is the view of this office that it is incumbent on
applicants to put their best foot forward and to present such relevant facts and evidence
as might be necessary to support their application. Further, this office feels that it cannot
be criticized for the condition of the submitted proofs, because we are not willing to
accept inconsistent documentary evidence regarding your stated relationship with your
sponsor.

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Re: SPOUSE VISA REFUSED

Post by max307 » Fri Sep 21, 2018 1:46 pm

Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Fri Sep 21, 2018 1:20 pm
It's me again, today I got an email of rejection and I'd like you guys to advise me on whether to appeal or reply also the steps I should take and if its better to get a lawyer. Here are the reasons

"Based on the documents submitted, your family relationship with the EU national
sponsor has not been proven. You have submitted a copy of a marriage certificate as
proof of your relationship to your sponsor xxxx. It is noted that this copy is
of poor quality. It is not attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as would be
expected from a state registered certificate.
You have also submitted a birth certificate as evidence of your identity. Your date of
birth is listed as xxxxx, yet this certificate was not issued until 07/12/2011. No
reason has been provided for the late issuance of your birth certificate. Furthermore, the
date of registration and your father’s name are handwritten on this certificate. Likewise,
it is not attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as would be expected from a state
registered certificate.
The errors and inconsistencies detailed result in a position where the authenticity of any
submitted documentation relating to your family relationship with your EU citizen
sponsor is questionable and the submitted documentation cannot be relied upon as
evidence. It is reasonable to expect that consistent documentary evidence would be
provided to allow for your eligibility for a visa to be ascertained.
In order to prove you are a beneficiary under the Directive, it is essential that you
submit appropriate evidences of the stated relationship. In this case, you have failed to
prove your relationship to the sponsor.
As stated in A.M.Y. v Minister for Justice [2008] IEHC 306, “there is no onus on the
Minister to make inquiries seeking to bolster an applicant’s claim; it is for the applicant
to present the relevant facts.” It is the view of this office that it is incumbent on
applicants to put their best foot forward and to present such relevant facts and evidence
as might be necessary to support their application. Further, this office feels that it cannot
be criticized for the condition of the submitted proofs, because we are not willing to
accept inconsistent documentary evidence regarding your stated relationship with your
sponsor.
It sounds like you provided a very poor application with some mistakes, is there any chance you can reapply and correct all the mistakes they noted?

I would suggest to do so before getting a solicitor involved, this should be a straightforward application if you are already legally married to your EU spouse.
I am not a lawyer or immigration counselor, all views expressed are my own, my comments do not constitute legal advice.

Kenyacroatianireland
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Re: SPOUSE VISA REFUSED

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:28 pm

I'll take my documents to the minister of foreign affairs to put the seal. Then apply again. By the way since I'm still in my non eu country how do I submit the documents after puttingthe official seal? Should I send through post or email?

max307
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Re: SPOUSE VISA REFUSED

Post by max307 » Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:58 pm

Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:28 pm
I'll take my documents to the minister of foreign affairs to put the seal. Then apply again. By the way since I'm still in my non eu country how do I submit the documents after puttingthe official seal? Should I send through post or email?
I would assume you will need to lodge a brand new application since your previous one was refused, my recommendation is to submit all documents either in person or by registered post.

If you submit documents by e-mail you will need to scan them first and they already had issues with your the "poor quality" or your copies before so this time try to avoid that.
I am not a lawyer or immigration counselor, all views expressed are my own, my comments do not constitute legal advice.

littlerr
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Re: SPOUSE VISA REFUSED

Post by littlerr » Fri Sep 21, 2018 5:15 pm

max307 wrote:
Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:58 pm
Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:28 pm
I'll take my documents to the minister of foreign affairs to put the seal. Then apply again. By the way since I'm still in my non eu country how do I submit the documents after puttingthe official seal? Should I send through post or email?
I would assume you will need to lodge a brand new application since your previous one was refused, my recommendation is to submit all documents either in person or by registered post.

If you submit documents by e-mail you will need to scan them first and they already had issues with your the "poor quality" or your copies before so this time try to avoid that.
I think he/she mentioned that he submitted the documents in person at the counter and they went there twice. It's a pity that in neither of the cases, the counter staff told them that the quality is not good enough. But again, I wouldn't expect counter staff to be helpful or friendly in any way... The onus is on the applicant to provide a legible copy.

I wouldn't recommend filing an appeal as it is more time consuming than submitting a new application. Just make sure that every refusal reason is addressed properly in the new application.

And you can't ask the minister to put a seal on it. Just make sure that copies are legible. Have it certified by a lawyer if necessary.

Kenyacroatianireland
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Join spouse visa approved

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Thu Mar 14, 2019 4:11 am

Hello,first I'd like the say thank you guys for your support.so just to update you guys.i had cancelled the appeal coz it was taking too long on January and made a fresh application in February and took exactly five weeks before I got an email that my visa is approved.im so happy that finally I'm going to reunite with my husband.

Myself_andI
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Re: Join spouse visa approved

Post by Myself_andI » Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:46 am

Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Thu Mar 14, 2019 4:11 am
Hello,first I'd like the say thank you guys for your support.so just to update you guys.i had cancelled the appeal coz it was taking too long on January and made a fresh application in February and took exactly five weeks before I got an email that my visa is approved.im so happy that finally I'm going to reunite with my husband.
First of all,congrats for your result!

A few other people and I are in a similar situation.so if you don’t mind,I would like to ask a few questions.
1. When did you apply for the second time?
2.Can you please tell me if the second time you have applied you indicated somewhere that it was the second application?
3.in the first application,how long did it take you before you received a request for further proof of marriage?

Thank you

sembe
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Re: Join spouse visa approved

Post by sembe » Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:45 am

Myself_andI wrote:
Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:46 am
Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Thu Mar 14, 2019 4:11 am
Hello,first I'd like the say thank you guys for your support.so just to update you guys.i had cancelled the appeal coz it was taking too long on January and made a fresh application in February and took exactly five weeks before I got an email that my visa is approved.im so happy that finally I'm going to reunite with my husband.
First of all,congrats for your result!

A few other people and I are in a similar situation.so if you don’t mind,I would like to ask a few questions.
1. When did you apply for the second time?
2.Can you please tell me if the second time you have applied you indicated somewhere that it was the second application?
3.in the first application,how long did it take you before you received a request for further proof of marriage?

Thank you

Interesting; she submitted application around 1st week of February because 5 weeks is about the time she reported to have received approval.

So, 5 weeks is the expected time. :D

Myself_andI
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Re: Join spouse visa approved

Post by Myself_andI » Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:05 pm

sembe wrote:
Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:45 am
Myself_andI wrote:
Thu Mar 14, 2019 8:46 am
Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Thu Mar 14, 2019 4:11 am
Hello,first I'd like the say thank you guys for your support.so just to update you guys.i had cancelled the appeal coz it was taking too long on January and made a fresh application in February and took exactly five weeks before I got an email that my visa is approved.im so happy that finally I'm going to reunite with my husband.
First of all,congrats for your result!

A few other people and I are in a similar situation.so if you don’t mind,I would like to ask a few questions.
1. When did you apply for the second time?
2.Can you please tell me if the second time you have applied you indicated somewhere that it was the second application?
3.in the first application,how long did it take you before you received a request for further proof of marriage?

Thank you

Interesting; she submitted application around 1st week of February because 5 weeks is about the time she reported to have received approval.

So, 5 weeks is the expected time. :D
5 weeks from time of application or five weeks or receiving it in Dublin? That is the question!:)

Kenyacroatianireland
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Re: Join spouse visa approved

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Fri Mar 15, 2019 7:06 pm

Hey,sorry for late reply,my second application was made on 5th of February at the Irish embassy of Kenya and sent to Dublin within a week thereafter granted on 13th march.

The first application took exactly 6weeks.

When filling the second application there's a place asking whether you've gave previous rejection.i said yes and that I had made an appeal but it took longer so we decided to withdraw it and make a second application.i also attached the email that was sent to me after I had cancelled the Appeal.

sembe
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Re: Join spouse visa approved

Post by sembe » Tue Mar 19, 2019 9:28 am

Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Fri Mar 15, 2019 7:06 pm
Hey,sorry for late reply,my second application was made on 5th of February at the Irish embassy of Kenya and sent to Dublin within a week thereafter granted on 13th march.

The first application took exactly 6weeks.

When filling the second application there's a place asking whether you've gave previous rejection.i said yes and that I had made an appeal but it took longer so we decided to withdraw it and make a second application.i also attached the email that was sent to me after I had cancelled the Appeal.
Thank you. I will 6 weeks before starting to pull my hair:)

Welcome to Ireland...don't forget to bring an umbrella :D :D

Kenyacroatianireland
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Re: Join spouse visa approved

Post by Kenyacroatianireland » Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:01 am

I will :lol:

Myself_andI
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Re: Join spouse visa approved

Post by Myself_andI » Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:34 am

Kenyacroatianireland wrote:
Wed Mar 20, 2019 9:01 am
I will :lol:
Finally we got approved!!!!!

Once you get your passport,can you travel immidiately? Or is there a waiting period?

knasher
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Re: Join spouse visa approved

Post by knasher » Mon Mar 25, 2019 6:53 am

Myself_andI wrote:
Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:34 am
Once you get your passport,can you travel immidiately? Or is there a waiting period?
You can travel immediately, but on the visa there is a date stated, and you need to have presented yourself at a port of entry by this date.

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