UK Citizen applying for C visa for Ireland for Chinese wife

[Adam T]

Hello all

I'm a British citizen who has been living in China for 2 years with his Chinese wife (married in China last Jan). Looking to move to Ireland and bring my wife using Directive 2004/38/EC.

EU1 permit once we arrive seems pretty straightforward, but I have a question regarding the C Visa application (applying in China).

According to the inis website I need:

proof that you will be accompanying or joining that citizen who is exercising free movement rights in Ireland or provide a declaration or statement of confirmation that the citizen will be exercising those rights at the time of your arrival in Ireland.

If anyone can clarify what this actually means I would be grateful. As far as I understand it I basically need to write a cover letter stating that we plan on moving to Ireland for me to seek work on XXX date. But I've also read that some people take it to mean booking flights in advance together (though for all the other visas they say never to book flights before you apply). So if anyone with any experience can let me know which one/if both are required that would be great.

Also if anyone can confirm that I am correct in thinking that for my wife's C visa all we need are:

1. Both passports
2. Marriage papers (and translations)
3. The statement I asked about above
4. To plaster all over the application form that its using the directive
5. That for a wife I don't need to worry about that whole 'proof of dependency' (though we do live together)

Big thank you to anyone who can answer these questions or tell me about their experiences in similar situations and sorry if these questions are a little easy/obvious.

[noajthan]

There are some example template letters if you search in forum (use 'advanced search' feature).

Be aware members reporting delays in Eire processing of such entry visas, (although it may depend where you apply from).

Good luck.

[Adam T]

Thanks for the reply.

I did have a look using the advanced search function (oddly enough I had to use a different web-browser and not be logged in to find). The only 1 I could find was near the bottom of this thread, however that one mentions having fights booked before applying so i'm still not sure if I need to do that or not.

If anyone can point me towards a better template and/or let me know if I actually need to book flights first or not that would be great.