Ireland: Residence Permit Application Process Changes for Residents of Certain Counties

• First-time applicants. First time IRP applicants from these counties must now apply in person at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin.
• Renewal applicants. IRP renewal applicants from these counties must now apply online, using the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) Online portal.
• Previous situation. Previously, such applicants – both first time and renewal applicants – had to apply in person at their local Garda National Immigration Bureau office (located in local police stations).

The application process for first-time applicants from these three counties is now more difficult, as affected applicants must now travel to Dublin; whereas previously they may have been able to apply at locations closer to where they live.

Conversely, the renewal application process for individuals from these three countries is now less difficult, given in-person applications are no longer necessary.

This policy change is part of broader digitization and centralization efforts, 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 a number of regional offices continue to exceed 15-20 weeks.

While this is in line with the broader digitisation strategy, and it is expected that other counties will transition to the online system, timelines for this have not been made available. We will report on related developments.