Ireland: Online Residence Permit Renewal Application Process Expanded to All Renewals

• Renewal applicants. IRP renewal applicants from these counties can already apply on the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) online portal, and the online process will be mandatory for them starting November 4, 2024.
• Previous application method. Previously, first-time and renewal IRP applicants had to apply in person at their local Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) office (located in local police stations).
• First-time applicants. First-time IRP applicants still require local, in-person appointments.

The renewal application process for individuals from these counties is now more streamlined, given in-person applications are no longer necessary. Additionally, the process is more predictable since the ISD regularly publishes IRP processing times for online applications, whereas GNIB does not.

Lastly, appointment availability may improve for first-time applicants (who must still apply at the GNIB in person), since the demand for in-person appointments at local GNIB offices will decrease due to the move to online processing for renewal applicants.

This policy change is part of broader digitization and centralization efforts in Ireland, with registration functions being shifted away from police in local GNIB offices and moved towards the ISD. Transition to the online system will be welcome as waiting times for appointments in several regional offices continue to exceed 15-20 weeks.

Responsibility for first-time IRP appointments is expected to transition from GNIB to ISD, though the government has not announced when.  When that happens, first-time IRP applicants will likely need to visit the Dublin Burgh Quay office instead of the local police station. We will report on related developments.