Bringing the Significant Other Overseas (Help!)

[awaring1]

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So I have been recently accepted to UC Dublin (Yay!) and wait-listed at my top pick in the US. I recently interviewed for Glasgow and still have to hear from two US schools (but my hopes aren't high). So basically the chances of me studying internationally are quite high. This is incredibly exciting for me but it also brings up some major problems...

I have been with my SO for many years and they always planned on moving with me to wherever I was accepted. They would then find a full-time job and help support me so I could focus on school. This would have been easily done in the US but overseas it will raise some huge issues.

-How will they even be allowed to live in the country? I will easily get a student visa but that will only cover me. The SO will be fresh out of undergrad and isn't looking for higher education so is there even a type of visa for that?

-How will they get a job? I know Ireland's economy is not great right now so it is pretty much impossible to find any type of job if you aren't Irish. There are work visas but you need to already have a job set up and it needs to pay over $60,000/year.

I don't expect people to have true answers for this question but any advice would be wonderful. I have tried looking into a lot of it but the government sites are incredibly complex. I am hoping that there may be some people out there who have had similar situations and found a solution. I feel like I am about to be torn in half. Being accepted is one of the happiest moment of my life but I know if the SO can't come it would be the end of the relationship. I applied internationally because I always wanted to live abroad and I figured I would cross this bridge once I came to it. I should have done my research before I applied so I would have known how hard it is. I am now paying the price...

I refuse to give up on my dream but I don't want to give up on my SO either...

🙁

 

[drforwhiskers]

I'm not sure, since I never been out of the country, but I just wanted to say I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all of us for ISU

 

[awaring1]

I'm not sure, since I never been out of the country, but I just wanted to say I'm keeping my fingers crossed for all of us for ISU

I am too. I was so excited to go there and my SO was pumped to start a new life there...

Let's hope for good news!!

 

[Robdude]

So I have been recently accepted to UC Dublin (Yay!) and wait-listed at my top pick in the US. I recently interviewed for Glasgow and still have to hear from two US schools (but my hopes aren't high). So basically the chances of me studying internationally are quite high. This is incredibly exciting for me but it also brings up some major problems...

I have been with my SO for many years and they always planned on moving with me to wherever I was accepted. They would then find a full-time job and help support me so I could focus on school. This would have been easily done in the US but overseas it will raise some huge issues.

-How will they even be allowed to live in the country? I will easily get a student visa but that will only cover me. The SO will be fresh out of undergrad and isn't looking for higher education so is there even a type of visa for that?

-How will they get a job? I know Ireland's economy is not great right now so it is pretty much impossible to find any type of job if you aren't Irish. There are work visas but you need to already have a job set up and it needs to pay over $60,000/year.

I don't expect people to have true answers for this question but any advice would be wonderful. I have tried looking into a lot of it but the government sites are incredibly complex. I am hoping that there may be some people out there who have had similar situations and found a solution. I feel like I am about to be torn in half. Being accepted is one of the happiest moment of my life but I know if the SO can't come it would be the end of the relationship. I applied internationally because I always wanted to live abroad and I figured I would cross this bridge once I came to it. I should have done my research before I applied so I would have known how hard it is. I am now paying the price...

I refuse to give up on my dream but I don't want to give up on my SO either...

🙁

Are you and your SO a same-sex couple (no disrespect, just wasn't sure from how you worded it)?

If you aren't; you two can fill out some papers at a court house, get married, and both go to Ireland on your student visa.

 

[Tonkamoo]

Hey Awaring,
I'm in a similar boat to you, and have been doing a little bit of research. From what I can tell Ireland is one of the harder places to move with an SO. I've also been accepted to Dublin, but I'm still waiting to hear from RVC, and some US schools.
I learned that if we move to the UK (and are married, which we will be) then he will be given a work visa, because I got a student visa. And then it shouldn't be a problem for him to find a job. Since Scotland is part of the UK, if you were married, I think he'd be able to get a visa as well.
However from what I've heard in Ireland that is not the case, and your SO would need to get a job first and get sponsored, as you said. Otherwise he'd just get a 3 month tourist visa, and not be allowed to work. And right now the economy there is hurting, and they prefer hiring locals...
So we're currently still researching this, but if I get into RVC, that is one of the reasons I might choose it over Dublin.
Let me know if you find out any information that helps!

 

[awaring1]

Are you and your SO a same-sex couple (no disrespect, just wasn't sure from how you worded it)?

If you aren't; you two can fill out some papers at a court house, get married, and both go to Ireland on your student visa.

Nope, it's a dude.
And if that would actually work we would so do that.
I am going to research that right now. I feel like I have looked into it but it was more of how marriage would effect a work visa for him.

 

[Robdude]

Nope, it's a dude.
And if that would actually work we would so do that.
I am going to research that right now. I feel like I have looked into it but it was more of how marriage would effect a work visa for him.

My understanding of it is that he'd be able to stay in the country with you, if you two were married. But, getting a work visa would still be hard. Not *as* hard, since he could apply/look for jobs without worrying about the 3/6 month limit.

EDIT: I think I'm wrong. Nevermind. I swear, I looked into this months ago (for the same reason as you) but maybe I'm confusing Ireland with Grenada (SGU). Sorry

 

[awaring1]

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/e...d/visa_requirements_for_entering_ireland.html


This claims he does not need a visa to land in Ireland, but it doesn't say how long he will be able to stay. I am assuming 3 months? After that period he will need a work or student visa to stay, correct?

 

[awaring1]

From an offical website FAQ

Q – If I get a Study Visa can my spouse/children join me in Ireland?
A – It is not the general policy of this Department toallowfamily members of study visa holders, permission to join them in Ireland




Boo.

 

[teatime]

Just a question - why are you assuming it's the end of the relationship?

I know it might be hard (I too have a very good chance of moving across the country from my SO) but if your relationship is rock solid you can make it work long distance.

 

[awaring1]

Just a question - why are you assuming it's the end of the relationship?

I know it might be hard (I too have a very good chance of moving across the country from my SO) but if your relationship is rock solid you can make it work long distance.

We both decided a long time ago that a long distance relationship over 5 years with an ocean in-between us would just be too much. He also has a fear of flying so visiting back and forth would be nearly impossible. (Him getting over there is going to be a one time thing with drugs involved.) We are currently in a LDR (we met at home and go to different schools) and we have made it last for four years hoping there was a light at the end of the tunnel. A 9-10 year LDR is an unpleasant idea.

 

[cowgirla]

Can't help with the overseas thing, but I can tell you that Iowa traditionally goes quite deep into their waitlist, and relatively quickly at that. I was in the 50s and got a call not long after April 15th. A friend was in the 90s and also got a call relatively early (I think beginning of May?) She declined, so I'm sure it went even higher than that! So keeping my fingers crossed you get a decent number!

 

[awaring1]

Can't help with the overseas thing, but I can tell you that Iowa traditionally goes quite deep into their waitlist, and relatively quickly at that. I was in the 50s and got a call not long after April 15th. A friend was in the 90s and also got a call relatively early (I think beginning of May?) She declined, so I'm sure it went even higher than that! So keeping my fingers crossed you get a decent number!

Thanks so much for the well wishes! It makes me very very happy that ISU may still be an option. The only thing that sucks is that if I end up with only UCD as an option by April 15th their deposit is almost $3,000. It would be money lost, but well worth it.

 

[cowgirla]

Thanks so much for the well wishes! It makes me very very happy that ISU may still be an option. The only thing that sucks is that if I end up with only UCD as an option by April 15th their deposit is almost $3,000. It would be money lost, but well worth it.

Oh, ouch, that's a big deposit. Hopefully it wont come to that!

 

[teatime]

We both decided a long time ago that a long distance relationship over 5 years with an ocean in-between us would just be too much. He also has a fear of flying so visiting back and forth would be nearly impossible. (Him getting over there is going to be a one time thing with drugs involved.) We are currently in a LDR (we met at home and go to different schools) and we have made it last for four years hoping there was a light at the end of the tunnel. A 9-10 year LDR is an unpleasant idea.

Ah, I see.. that is a very difficult situation. I hope your decision will become easier with an acceptance in-country (haha, I was gonna write in-state, but that didn't make sense). Having to choose career over love totally sucks. I wish you the best of luck.

 

[shortnsweet]

If you have the marriage license and come to Glasgow, your SO will be fine to come over. A one year masters is also an option for him. He will also be fine if he can find a job through the US over here. There are many avenues you can take, especially in Scotland. You both just need to be willing to compromise a bit.

 

[awaring1]

If you have the marriage license and come to Glasgow, your SO will be fine to come over. A one year masters is also an option for him. He will also be fine if he can find a job through the US over here. There are many avenues you can take, especially in Scotland. You both just need to be willing to compromise a bit.

Hence why UK>Ireland.

It's not UCD's fault that their country has such crazy rules, but it does put another tally in the favor of Glasgow.

 

[Packen]

Awaring, sorry I don't have any advice, but I did want to let you know that I feel for you. Unfortunately my husband will not be able to come over to the UK (Edinburgh) with me and it does make "a dream come true" seem a little bitter sweet. I will keep my fingers crossed that a US school works out for you!

 

[shortnsweet]

Hence why UK>Ireland.

It's not UCD's fault that their country has such crazy rules, but it does put another tally in the favor of Glasgow.

👍

I had to choose between those two schools two years ago too...not an easy choice, but I definitely made the right one for me!!!

 

[FinleyMonkey]

My understanding about visa's in the UK: A dependent can be an addition to your student visa and be able to work. Dependent includes your husband, wife, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18.

Note: you don't have to get married in the U.K., you just have to have lived together for over 2 years for it to be considered a civil partner.

 

[lareinesoleil]

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/e...d/visa_requirements_for_entering_ireland.html


This claims he does not need a visa to land in Ireland, but it doesn't say how long he will be able to stay. I am assuming 3 months? After that period he will need a work or student visa to stay, correct?

That's normally how it works, I don't know about Ireland exactly but for most countries you can stay 3 months without a Visa, then you have to leave the country for a certain amount of time before you can come back for another 3 months. (To prevent people from just leaving then turning right around and coming back.)

Hope it all works out for you!

 

[awaring1]

My understanding about visa's in the UK: A dependent can be an addition to your student visa and be able to work. Dependent includes your husband, wife, civil partner or eligible partner and children under 18.

Note: you don't have to get married in the U.K., you just have to have lived together for over 2 years for it to be considered a civil partner.

Thanks for the help, but unfortunetly Dublin =/= UK.
🙁

But what is an "eligible partner" ?

 

[Robdude]

Well, I'm officially in the same boat as you. I've been accepted at Dublin and would like to take my significant other.

The most complete source of information I've found is here:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Guid.../Guidelines for Degree Programme Students.pdf

Page 13 is specifically what we're interested in.

It says

Can I bring my husband, wife, civil partner or children with me?
No. In general students will continue to have no rights to Family Reunification. Some exceptions to this rule are set out below.

But, if you look at the exceptions....

"The student is pursuing a course at PhD level (NFQ 10). In these cases the
student will be required to progress academically (verified by letter from
academic supervisor) and to complete their doctorate within 4 years"

I'm pretty sure vet school is NFQ 10 (see page 4)

 

[awaring1]

But, if you look at the exceptions....

"The student is pursuing a course at PhD level (NFQ 10). In these cases the
student will be required to progress academically (verified by letter from
academic supervisor) and to complete their doctorate within 4 years"

I'm pretty sure vet school is NFQ 10 (see page 4)

Best news I have heard. In a while.
It may be tricky since vet school in Ireland is technically undergraduate. Since we are doing the graduate entry program it may be different. And hopefully the people at UCD would be willing to help us out.


Double date in Dublin? 😀

 

[Tonkamoo]

That sounds promising! How did you determine that the veterinary program is NFQ Level 10 though? Looking at this page about graduate entry into UCD it says NFQ level 8 (https://myucd.ucd.ie/program.do?programID=53). And I thought their regular program was considered undergraduate?

That would be awesome if you're right though, let us know if you find out anymore information!

I have done some research and found that some of the big tech companies are still hiring foreigners even though the Irish economy is hurting. So if you're lucky enough to have a Techy SO, they may be able to get a job/visa on their own.

 

[Robdude]

That sounds promising! How did you determine that the veterinary program is NFQ Level 10 though? Looking at this page about graduate entry into UCD it says NFQ level 8 (https://myucd.ucd.ie/program.do?programID=53). And I thought their regular program was considered undergraduate?

That would be awesome if you're right though, let us know if you find out anymore information!

I have done some research and found that some of the big tech companies are still hiring foreigners even though the Irish economy is hurting. So if you're lucky enough to have a Techy SO, they may be able to get a job/visa on their own.

Oh no! I think you are right; I was just 'assuming' that vet school would be NFQ level 10. I mean, it certainly seems like it's higher than a Master's degree to me.

Crap 🙁

Sorry everyone!

 

[Robdude]

Best news I have heard. In a while.
It may be tricky since vet school in Ireland is technically undergraduate. Since we are doing the graduate entry program it may be different. And hopefully the people at UCD would be willing to help us out.


Double date in Dublin? 😀

Doh! I think you are right; it's not a level 10 program. I just wish this all were a little more straight forward.

Well, if we do find a way, that double date sounds like fun, lol

 

[Tonkamoo]

sorry I had to be the bad news bearer. I would also have assumed that a Veterinary degree should be a doctorate (in the US you get a Doctor of VM..) But of course Ireland has to be different!

Hopefully we can find ways to make it work...

Do you know how long one has to leave the country after saying for 3 months on the tourist visa?

 

[Robdude]

sorry I had to be the bad news bearer. I would also have assumed that a Veterinary degree should be a doctorate (in the US you get a Doctor of VM..) But of course Ireland has to be different!

Hopefully we can find ways to make it work...

Do you know how long one has to leave the country after saying for 3 months on the tourist visa?

I don't know how correct or official this is - but they sound like they know what they are talking about:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071018190334AAUZkhi

They are basically saying there is no time limit; you just need to return to your country of origin. So, if I am understanding this correctly, after three months; if they haven't gotten a visa, they could literally book a round-trip ticket back to whichever country they are from, and return to Ireland immediately.

 

[awaring1]

So I have been doing some more research with little results so I decided to ask for help on reddit.com/r/Ireland.

redd.it/fzwin


While there is nothing groundbreaking on it, some of the comments have some useful ideas and personal experiences. Some more websites are linked regarding the issue. I thought a few of you who are in a similar situation as myself may be interested.

Also, if you want a lol you can scroll to the bottom and see my exchange with a troll that claims to be the main singer from the Corrs.

 

[Chinola]

So I have been doing some more research with little results so I decided to ask for help on reddit.com/r/Ireland.

redd.it/fzwin


While there is nothing groundbreaking on it, some of the comments have some useful ideas and personal experiences. Some more websites are linked regarding the issue. I thought a few of you who are in a similar situation as myself may be interested.

Also, if you want a lol you can scroll to the bottom and see my exchange with a troll that claims to be the main singer from the Corrs.

Damn girl! You're feisty! Glad I've never seen SDN get like that!

 

[Mistoffeles]

my 2p: read the rules very very carefully. if the irish home office is *anything* like the UK home office, then they will turn down your application for a visa at the slightest whiff of inconsistency, improper paperwork, etc., etc. same for trying to game the system. not to be a downer . . . 🙁

but, FWIW, it is possible. i've been with my SO for 9 years, getting married next month, but i'm at RVC, she's in NYC, and we're still going to be in an LDR for the next 3.5 years (longer if i don't get an internship in NYC). but that's certainly not for everyone, and if the OP and her SO have decided that an LDR isn't the way to go, then that's their decision.

just to round out the surfeit of abbreviations . . .
YMMV.
😛

 

[Robdude]

Yeah - after all the research I've done, I've basically came to the conclusion that we're screwed 🙁

 

[cowdocsoon]

I haven't done any research on this at all, but I was curious if anyone knows anything about SO's/spouses in Australian schools?