Working Holiday + Defacto Visa

[JW_]

Hi all,

I'm an Australian national and my Irish partner is currently living with me here in Australia. We are looking at moving to Ireland sometime in mid 2018 and I have begun exploring my options.

Obviously the Defacto Visa is our best bet, however I have read that the application process can take up to six months and I would be unable to work in that time.

So, I am wondering if it is possible to apply (and hopefully obtain) a working holiday visa and then apply for a defacto visa on arrival (as per the normal process)? This would therefore give me the ability to work while the defacto application is processed.

I've had a look on the INIS website for information but have had no luck

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[dr_robin]

From my understanding you can't switch from the Working Holiday visa to any other visa from within Ireland (including a visitor, marriage or work visa). You could always move to Northern Ireland or any other EU country after 1 year. If you won't be married then, you just need to make sure you have documents proving a defacto relationship for 2 years and then you can go an exercise your EEA freedom of movement rights and live/work in another EU country. If you fancied living in New Zealand, it's possible to switch from a working holiday visa to a work visa while still in New Zealand. Best of luck to you.