IMPACT – HIGH

The Irish government has announced that Irish Residence Permit (IRP) holders in Dublin may now renew their residence permit online rather than having to attend an in-person appointment. Additionally the Burgh Quay (Dublin) Registration Office will re-open for first-time registration appointments July 20.

Key points:

  • From July 7, the online IRP renewal system is available for non-EEA nationals whose residence permit has expired, or expires in the next month and who have an urgent need to travel.
  • From July 20, the online system will be open to all individuals whose IRP/GNIB cards have expired, or are due to expire in the next month.
  • From July 20, non-EEA nationals seeking to complete their first time registration in Ireland may visit the Burgh Quay Registration Office.
  • This development will affect all holders of an IRP card who are resident in Dublin. All stamp types are eligible for renewal. Non-EEA nationals can use the online renewal platform if their IRP card expires within a month from the online submission date.
  • Employers should notify all employees who hold an IRP card and are resident in Dublin. Those whose IRP cards have expired, or expire in the next four weeks, and who have an urgent need to travel, should apply for their renewal online here and will be required to create an online account. To complete the renewal application online, they must upload the relevant documents to the online platform. Employees should be aware that they may not be able to travel until they receive their passport and renewed IRP card.

Analysis & Comments: Deloitte welcomes this permanent change to the IRP renewal process, as it will allow the resumption of IRP renewals, without the need for an in-person appointment. It also removes the challenge of booking an IRP appointment at the Burgh Quay Registration Office and should make more appointments available for first time registrants. It further allows non-EEA nationals more flexibility in renewing their permission. The resumption of IRP renewals will also allow visa-required nationals to obtain permission to travel and re-enter Ireland.

We expect a high volume of applications because of office closures; therefore, non-EEA nationals should anticipate a potential delay in receiving their renewed IRP cards and passports. As this is the first time this system will have such a significant number of applicants, it is possible that further updates may be issued regarding the process and documents required.

This change will not affect non-EEA nationals who have not yet registered and received their first IRP card in Ireland, and these individuals will still need to book and attend an in-person appointment.

Immigration Service Delivery (which manages the process) deals with registrations for those resident in Dublin. The Garda Naturalisation and Immigration Bureau (GNIB) deals with applications outside of Dublin through the Garda Station network. GNIB is currently considering how it can reopen registration offices countrywide while adhering to public health guidelines, and applicants should contact their local office to confirm when they will reopen.

If you have employees or potential new hires who may be affected by the above changes, please contact the Deloitte immigration team. We have created a guidebook for non-EEA nationals that explains how to set themselves up in the system and how we will support them through this new process. We continue to update our FAQ for employers, available here.

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