IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? The Irish government has announced that foreign nationals with valid immigration permission that expires between May 20 and July 20 will be granted an additional automatic two-month extension. This follows the previous two-month extension that came into effect on March 20, meaning that some permissions may be extended for a total of four months.

This measure is in response to the temporary closure of the Irish immigration registration offices where foreign nationals are required to register their immigration permission once in Ireland.

  • Implementation time frame: May 20.
  • Who is affected: All foreign nationals residing in Ireland with valid immigration permission (based on employment, studies, dependent family, tourism, etc.) that is due to expire between May 20 and July 20. Any permission that was renewed by the March 20 notice and therefore has a new expiry date between May 20 and July 20 is automatically renewed for an additional two months.
  • Next steps: Employers are encouraged to review their upcoming expirations and update the expiry date by a further two months.

Background: All non-EEA nationals must apply for an employment permit to work. Certain nationalities must then apply for an entry visa to enter Ireland to commence work. Once in Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an Irish residence permit to register their permission. Non-EEA nationals must renew this Irish residence permission when appropriate.

The first automatic extension of expiring Irish residence permits came into effect March 20 and confirmed that foreign nationals with valid immigration permission due to expire between March 20 and May 20 would be granted an automatic two-month extension.

Analysis & Comments: The second automatic extension of immigration permission is a welcome announcement as it provides certainty to employers and employees whose permission was due to expire. This ensures that employees retain their permission under the same conditions during this time.

While registration offices have been closed, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has implemented several COVID-19 responses to mitigate the impact of the closures. They have permitted non-EEA nationals who are eligible to change their permission to apply electronically via email, rather than at an in-person appointment. They have further permitted non-EEA students who are eligible to apply to the Third Level Graduate Programme to apply electronically.

The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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