Blanket Extension of Immigration Permissions Until September 20, 2021
March 26, 2021
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At a Glance
- Due to processing delays and closures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to ensure that foreign nationals do not have a lapse in status, the Irish government is automatically renewing immigration permissions (including Irish Residence Permit cards, passport stamps and previously extended permissions).
- Foreign nationals whose permission is due to expire between April 21, 2021 and September 20, 2021, will now have their permission extended until September 20, 2021.
The situation
The Irish government is again automatically renewing immigration permissions (including Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards, passport stamps and previously extended permissions). Foreign nationals whose permission is due to expire between April 21, 2021 and September 20, 2021, will now have their permission extended until September 20, 2021.
A closer look
- Previously extended immigration permissions. Employees whose immigration permissions were previously extended under blanket extensions in March, May, July, August, September and December are covered by the new extension.
- Employment Permits excluded. As before, the blanket extension does not apply to the validity of Employment Permits; Employment Permit holders (Critical Skills Employment Permit, General Employment Permit, Intra-Company Transfer, among others) should continue with their regular renewal processes.
- Dublin residents. Residents of Dublin should renew their IRP cards through the new online system. First-time registrations will still require an in-person appointment, but these are not currently available. This further blanket extension should allow additional time for these residents to have their IRP cards processed so that they do not have a lapse in status.
- Residents outside Dublin. Residents outside Dublin should continue to try to secure in-person appointments with their local registration office, both for first-time registrations and renewals. This blanket extension should allow additional time for these residents to have their IRP renewal cards processed so that they do not have a lapse in status. The online renewal process is still not available for non-Dublin residents.
Impact
Foreign nationals with expiring immigration permissions will be able to continue to legally stay in Ireland until September 20, 2021 while they are unable to submit renewal applications, receive their renewed IRP cards or attend a first-time registration appointment.
Background
This is the seventh blanket extension granted by the Irish authorities since March 2020 in order to ensure that foreign nationals do not have a lapse in status due to processing delays and closures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead
It is hoped that this extension will provide reassurance to those who are affected by backlogs in the residency card renewal process. Additionally, it will provide additional time to those whose registration appointments have been cancelled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, or who have been unable to make an appointment.
Access Fragomen’s dedicated COVID-19 website for the latest updates on this rapidly developing situation.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
