Government Offices Closed - Employment Permit Processing Delayed, Appointments Unaffected
February 28, 2018

The situation
Employment permit processing is delayed as the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) is closed due to adverse weather. Irish Residence Permit (IRP, formerly GNIB card) appointments in Dublin still stand.
A closer look
- DBEI closed. The DBEI is closed today, February 28, 2018. Employment permit processing is suspended until the DBEI reopens.
- Offices open. The Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service office in Dublin (Burgh Quay) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in Dublin are open. IRP appointments in Dublin still stand.
- Regional offices. No general information is available on regional registration offices. Foreign nationals are advised to contact the relevant regional office before travel to confirm whether appointments continue.
Impact on foreign nationals
Foreign nationals who cannot reach their appointments are invited to contact their registration office to reschedule their appointment over the coming days.
Looking ahead
More severe weather is expected overnight and tomorrow, March 1, 2018. Disruptions are expected to continue up to and including Friday.
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].
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