Employment and Family Visa Processing Resumes Amid COVID-19-Related Processing Suspension
May 20, 2021
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At a Glance
- Irish authorities have resumed long-stay visa processing for eligible Employment Permit holders, family members and de facto partners.
- Suspension of short-term visas and hotel quarantine for some travelers remain in place.
- Employers and foreign nationals will benefit from being able to travel to Ireland once again, once visas are obtained.
The situation
The Irish government announced that visa processing for a number of key entry visa types has resumed effective immediately.
A closer look
Processing of the following key Priority/Emergency visas has resumed:
- Long-stay visas for Employment Permit holders;
- Long-stay ‘Join Family’ visa applications for all permit types, including for family of Employment Permit holders; and
- Pre-clearance applications by de facto partners of Employment Permit holders, Irish nationals and non-European Economic Area family members of UK nationals.
Impact
Previously, these travelers required an essential travel reason to ensure visa processing. The new requirement is easier to satisfy. As a result, travel options will reopen for a significant group of key travelers.
The general suspension of visa processing, including for short-term visas; the suspension of visa-free travel for a number of nationalities; and hotel quarantine for a significant number of travelers; remains in place.
Background
This comes amid the gradual re-opening of Irish services as COVID-19 restrictions are reduced. The previous requirement for an essential travel reason also placed an additional burden on businesses to demonstrate the need for key staff, regardless of whether they had an Employment Permit. Visa-required family members have also been unable to travel for some time, with Irish consular posts worldwide adopting different approaches to visa issuance.
Looking ahead
For up-to-date information on COVID-19-related travel bans, restrictions and concessions, among other information, check Fragomen’s dedicated website.
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]
