IMPACT – MEDIUM

Employment permit applicants are facing lengthy processing delays of several weeks due to a high volume of applications.

Key points:

  • Standard applications are being processed in 13 weeks; Trusted Partner applications are being processed in six weeks.
  • In addition to the delays for new employment permits, existing employees are experiencing delays in renewals and should apply for a temporary stamp from the Garda National Immigration Bureau to avoid any gaps in their residency permission. GNIB wait times for booking an appointment are also experiencing delays.
  • The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has said that it is working to reduce the delays. However, the delays are likely to continue for several more weeks as authorities work through the backlog of applications.

Additional information: Processing delays are common during the summer vacation period, but the delays have grown worse this year. According to Jane Pilkington, a partner with Mason Hayes & Curran in Dublin, any employer who can qualify for Trusted Partner status should consider that option, because even though processing is slower than usual, the Trusted Partner queue is faster than standard processing.

BAL Analysis: Irish employers and foreign nationals should be aware of the delays and may need to adjust work start dates and travel schedules for new employees. Existing employees in Ireland who need a temporary stamp to prevent a lapse in residence permission should plan to book their GNIB appointment as far in advance as possible.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network partner Mason Hayes & Curran in Ireland. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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