Ireland: New Document Issued to Facilitate Travel for Non-EU/EEA Residents

• Travel Confirmation Notice. The Notice requests transportation carriers, such as airlines, to allow individuals to travel on their recently expired (up to eight weeks) Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card where the individual has already applied to renew their permission in advance of the expiration date of their IRP card.
• Validity. The Notice is valid from December 6, 2023 to January 31, 2024.
• Documents for travel. Individuals should download and print the travel notice and present this document, their expired IRP card and proof of their renewal application (confirming the date of application) to immigration authorities and airlines, if requested to do so.
• Warning. Typically, those applying to renew their IRP card outside of Dublin will not receive proof of their renewal application, which may present difficulties complying with the terms of this Notice. Further, although the Immigration Service Delivery has advised airlines and foreign missions of these initiatives, it cannot force them to comply. Therefore, some individuals may have their travel disrupted if the airline or country does not agree to accept the Notice, or if they do not have documentary proof of their renewal application.

Non-EU/EEA individuals resident in Ireland who would not be able to travel outside of the country due to their expired IRP card over the holidays will now be able to re-enter Ireland with the Notice, provided they can comply with its conditions.

There are significant processing backlogs for individuals seeking to renew their permissions to reside in Ireland. Further, after processing, it can take up to two weeks to receive an IRP card via mail.

After January 31, 2024, these individuals will need to have a valid IRP card again in order to re-enter Ireland after foreign travel.