How one Dublin woman brought her mother from Nigeria to live with her in Ireland
Fatima had been living and working in Dublin for eight years. She'd built a good life here — a stable job, a home, and plans for the future. But she missed her mother terribly. Her mother was retired in Nigeria, living with other family members, but Fatima wanted to bring her over to Ireland to be closer. She knew it was possible under Irish family reunification rules, but when she started looking into it, she felt overwhelmed by the paperwork and the strict income requirements.
The main hurdle was the income threshold. To sponsor a family member, Ireland requires you to earn a certain amount — around €30,000 per year, depending on circumstances — and Fatima's salary was just above this baseline. She worried it wouldn't be enough, especially when she factored in rent and living costs. She wasn't sure how to present her financial situation in the best light, or what evidence would convince the immigration authorities that she could genuinely support her mother. She felt stuck between hope and doubt.
Fatima decided to get legal advice. A solicitor helped her understand exactly what the authorities wanted to see: not just her salary, but a full picture of her finances. Together, they gathered her payslips, bank statements showing consistent savings, and a letter from her employer confirming her role and income stability. The solicitor also explained that she could show assets — Fatima had a small investment and was helping with her mother's healthcare costs already, which demonstrated commitment. With this evidence presented clearly and professionally, her application went forward. Three months later, Fatima got the news: her mother's visa had been approved.
Today, her mother lives with her in Dublin. It wasn't quick or simple, but having the right guidance made all the difference. Fatima's advice to others in the same position is simple: don't assume your income is too low without getting proper legal advice. The law gives you ways to show your full financial picture, and a solicitor can help you present it in the way that matters most to the immigration authorities.
Under Irish immigration law, an Irish citizen or legal resident can sponsor family members — including parents — to come and live in Ireland. You must meet certain financial requirements to show you can support them, typically earning at least €30,000 per year (though this can vary). The authorities will look at your salary, savings, assets, and your ability to provide accommodation and cover living costs. They're not looking for wealth — they're looking for stability and proof that you won't need to rely on state support to look after your relative. A solicitor can help you gather and present this evidence in the strongest possible way, and can advise on any unique aspects of your situation that might affect your application.
There are no formal time limits to bring a family member to Ireland, but applications can take several months to process. However, if your circumstances change — such as a job loss or change in income — it can affect your ability to sponsor someone. It's important to get legal advice as soon as you're considering sponsoring a family member, rather than delaying. Immigration decisions can also be appealed, but appeals must be made within strict timeframes after a refusal decision.
Tell Sarah what happened. She will explain your options and match you with the right solicitor in your county — free.