U-turn on residency impacts returning migrants

Returning Irish migrants whose partner is not a native of the EU could be adversely affected by the reversal of a recent ruling on cohabitation requirements.

In April, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) said it would change its cohabitation requirements, under which unmarried couples in a long-term relationship, and already living together, could apply for the non-European partner to remain in Ireland.

Until earlier this year, any couple applying had to prove they had lived together for two years, but, last April, INIS said that proof of cohabitation for one year would suffice.