Extension of Immigration Permissions and Temporary Re-Closure of Registration Offices

The situation

Due to issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Justice announced that the Dublin Burgh Quay Registration Office and Registration Offices outside of Dublin will temporarily close again, effective immediately. Additionally, the government is automatically renewing all immigration permissions (including Irish Residence Permit cards, passport stamps and previously extended permissions) due to expire between August 20 and September 20 for an additional month on the same basis as the existing permission.

A closer look

Further details on the closure of Registration Offices and the extension of immigration permissions include:

• Previously extended immigration permissions. Employees whose immigration permissions were previously extended under blanket extensions in March, May and July are covered by the new extension if their expiry date falls between August 20 and September 20, 2020.
• 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.
• Rescheduled appointments. Appointments scheduled at Registration Offices for August 19, 20 and 21 will be rescheduled. The Registration Offices are expected to issue further guidance on this shortly.
• IRP card renewals. Residents of Dublin can continue to renew their IRP cards through the new online system which was implemented on July 20, 2020; the one-month blanket extension will allow additional time for these residents to have their IRP renewal cards processed so that they do not have a lapse in status.
• IRP card renewals outside of Dublin. The online 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 while they are unable to submit renewal applications, receive their renewed IRP cards or attend a first-time registration appointment.

Background

Immigration permissions were automatically extended three times since March due to the closure of Registration Offices. However, in July 2020, Registration Offices outside of Dublin re-opened, allowing foreign nationals to submit renewal applications up until the current re-closures.

Looking ahead

It is not clear at this time when Registration Offices are expected to reopen or if an online system will be implemented for those residents outside of Dublin to renew their IRP cards.

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].