C visa - Refer to INIS IO

[swann]

thank you to everyone who helped and answered my questions before, my visa application to join my EU spouse in ireland has been approved. i'm flying to dublin on the 10th, but some things are not so clear to me yet.

being a filipino and without prior 6-months residency with my husband in another EU state, we were only granted the C-Visa-Refer to INIS IO. when i checked the online visa decisions update, i was the only one granted with said kind of visa. a supporting document was attached that said "the applicant should if intending to reside with the EU citizen in Ireland, make an application on the expiry of 90 days after arrival to EUTR Section, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2."

my questions are:
1. should i wait until the EXACT expiration date of my visa before i apply for my residency permit?
2. what are my chances of being granted the residency permit?
3. do you know of anyone who has the same kind of C-Visa-Refer to INIS IO?
4. what could be their possible requirements so i would qualify for the residency permit?

thank you very much for your help! i am scared big time about this visa, what if the immigration officials in the airport question it. whew. please help!

[Ben]

my questions are:
1. should i wait until the EXACT expiration date of my visa before i apply for my residency permit?
2. what are my chances of being granted the residency permit?
3. do you know of anyone who has the same kind of C-Visa-Refer to INIS IO?
4. what could be their possible requirements so i would qualify for the residency permit?

1. You should apply as soon as you arrive. Start the ball rolling.
2. Without prior residency in another Member State, you do not fulfill clause 3(2) of SI 656 of 2006. However, if recent decisions are anything to go by, you'll probably get Stamp 4 granted for 1 year rather than 5 years. The onus is on you to keep renewing it annually. Not the end of the world, but do appeal this, and push for 5 years validity - it's your right, in accordance with Directive 2004/38/EC.
3. Personally, I'm not too familiar with the types of Irish visas. Can't really answer this one.
4. Your marriage to an EU national, who is exercising a Treaty right in Ireland, is enough to qualify under EU law.

[swann]

thank you benifa!

i've read somewhere in the forum that some EU/non-EU couples travel together to some member states as further support of their application, that they've lived together in another EU state, regardless if it's just a short holiday. would that really help?

thanks again!