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].
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ana Bessa Santos outlines Switzerland’s 2026 immigration quotas and what employers should expect across non-EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA and UK permit categories.
Blog post
Manager Ruaida Hussein outlines the UAE’s updated residency rules introducing a one-year residence permit for eligible individuals following divorce or the death of a spouse
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni outlines USCIS’ decision to reduce EB-5 filing fees following a federal court ruling that invalidates the agency’s 2024 fee increases.
Media mentions
Manager Clara Gautrais and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce highlight how the UK government’s consultation on expanding right to work checks could affect construction employers.
Awards
China Managing Partner Becky Xia is named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025” by Forbes China for her leadership in immigration law and contributions to global mobility.
Awards
Fragomen is featured on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms list in the category of immigration.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Patricia Rezmives explains the 2025 process for claiming Irish citizenship through ancestry and key considerations for foreign birth registration.
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ana Bessa Santos outlines Switzerland’s 2026 immigration quotas and what employers should expect across non-EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA and UK permit categories.
Blog post
Manager Ruaida Hussein outlines the UAE’s updated residency rules introducing a one-year residence permit for eligible individuals following divorce or the death of a spouse
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni outlines USCIS’ decision to reduce EB-5 filing fees following a federal court ruling that invalidates the agency’s 2024 fee increases.
Media mentions
Manager Clara Gautrais and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce highlight how the UK government’s consultation on expanding right to work checks could affect construction employers.
Awards
China Managing Partner Becky Xia is named among the “Top 100 Most Influential Chinese Elites for 2025” by Forbes China for her leadership in immigration law and contributions to global mobility.
Awards
Fragomen is featured on The Times’ 2026 Best Law Firms list in the category of immigration.
Blog post
Senior Immigration Consultant Patricia Rezmives explains the 2025 process for claiming Irish citizenship through ancestry and key considerations for foreign birth registration.