Online Re-Entry Visa Appointments Indefinitely Suspended

The situation

Effective September 3, 2018, the online re-entry visa appointments service will be suspended indefinitely for standard re-entry visa applications.

A closer look

• Standard applications. Standard re-entry visa applications will only be accepted in hard copy by registered mail.
• Emergency applications. It will still be possible to book emergency re-entry visa applications using the online appointments service.
• Early submissions. The authorities are advising applicants to submit their standard re-entry visa postal applications five to six weeks prior to travel. 

 

Background

Visa nationals who reside in Ireland and intend to travel out of the country must obtain a re-entry visa to re-enter Ireland.

Re-entry visas can only be obtained after in-country Irish Residence Permit (IRP) registration/renewal procedures have been completed (Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB)/IRP card appointment).

GNIB/IRP appointments are very scarce in Dublin.

Impact

• This places an additional hardship on visa nationals, given the scarcity of GNIB/IRP registration appointments in Dublin. Travel plans are likely to be significantly affected as it will take longer to obtain a re-entry visa.
• Visa nationals’ ability to travel will be significantly impacted for the foreseeable future, particularly during the eight weeks after they first enter Ireland.
• The authorities are advising applicants to submit their re-entry visa postal applications five to six weeks prior to travel.

 

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].