Ireland: Further Blanket Extension of Immigration Permissions until May 31, 2022

• Previously extended immigration permissions. Employees whose immigration permissions were previously extended under blanket extensions in March, May, July and August are covered by the new extension if their expiry date falls between January 15, 2022 and May 31, 2022.
• 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). Such applicants should continue with their regular renewal processes.
• Dublin residents. Residents of Dublin should renew their IRP cards through the online system which was implemented in July 2020; first-time registrations will still require an in-person appointment. This last blanket extension should allow additional time for these residents to have their IRP cards processed so that they do not have a lapse in status.·
• Forthcoming new appointment systems. The authorities are introducing a new ‘Freephone’ telephone booking system in January to ensure that foreign nationals in Dublin requiring an appointment can access one. A new online booking system is also due to launch in early 2022.
• Residents outside Dublin. Residents outside Dublin should continue to try to secure in-person appointments with their local registration office, both for first-time registrations and renewals. This last blanket extension should allow additional time for these residents to have their IRP renewal cards processed so that they do not have a lapse in status. The online renewal process is still not available for non-Dublin residents.

Foreign nationals with expiring immigration permissions will be able to continue to legally stay in Ireland until May 31, 2022 while they are unable to submit renewal applications, receive their renewed IRP cards or attend a first-time registration appointment.

This is the ninth blanket extension granted by the Irish authorities since March 2020 in order to ensure that foreign nationals do not have a lapse in status due to processing delays and closures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is hoped that the backlog of renewal applications will clear by May 31, 2022 and applications for renewals of IRP cards should be filed as early as possible.

Access Fragomen’s dedicated COVID-19 website for the latest updates on this rapidly developing situation.