Reminder - Re-Entry Visa Applications for Christmas and New Year Periods Due November 9

The situation

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has published a reminder for visa nationals travelling over the Christmas and New Year period to submit their re-entry visa applications by November 9.

Background

Visa nationals who reside in Ireland and intend to travel out of the country must obtain a re-entry visa by following the below steps:

• Ensure in-country residence permit process is complete. Foreign nationals cannot obtain a re-entry visa until they complete their in-country Irish Residence Permit (IRP) registration/renewal procedures with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Visa nationals who do not yet have their IRP card should not travel outside Ireland until they have acquired one.
• Submit application by registered mail. Following the suspension of the online re-entry visa application system, re-entry visa applications can only be submitted by registered mail unless there is a genuine emergency due to death or illness.

Impact

Visa nationals who intend to travel over the holiday period who do not file a re-entry visa application by the deadline and therefore depart Ireland without a valid re-entry visa will likely be denied re-entry to Ireland when they return.

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 Ireland@fragomen.com.