Re-Opening of Registration Offices Outside of Dublin

The situation

Starting July 20, 2020,all non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals and their dependents currently residing outside of Dublin will be required to book an appointment via email with their Local Registration Office to register for an initial or renewed Irish Residence Permit (IRP Card).

A closer look

• Obtaining an IRP card. At the appointment at their local registration office, non-EEA nationals and their dependents will have their permission type stamped in their passport. The physical IRP card will be issued later and can either be mailed to the applicant or collected at the local registration office. It is still unclear how long applicants will need to wait for their physical cards to be issued after the initial appointment; it may take several weeks. The physical IRP card also serves as a re-entry visa for visa nationals.
• Difference from Dublin renewal process. Non-EEA nationals and their dependents must complete the renewal process in person by appointment only, unlike in Dublin, where they can complete the renewal process online.
• IRP office reopenings. Registration offices across Ireland have been closed due to COVID-19. Beginning July 20, 2020, local Registration Offices will begin reopening on a phased basis. Reopening dates can be found on this website; however, not all Registration Offices have announced their opening dates at this time.
• When to apply. Individuals who have not yet registered at their local registration office since arriving in Ireland should email the office to schedule an appointment. When their local registration office has re-opened, foreign nationals who have an IRP card that expired during COVID-19 restrictions should schedule an appointment as soon as possible. The government has not announced how far in advance a foreign national can schedule an appointment if their IRP card is still valid but will expire in the near future.
• Other requirements. All relevant supporting documentation must be valid at the time of submission (e.g., passport, employment permit, proof of address, marriage certificate). Original documents should be readily available for the immigration officer during the appointment. 
• Requests for further information. It remains at the Immigration Officer’s discretion to request further documentation in relation to any application.

 

Impact

• Benefits. The appointment system should reduce wait times for applicants outside of Dublin.

• Restricted travel. Since it is unclear how long applicants will need to wait for their physical cards to be issued after their initial appointments, travel dates may be impacted.

 

Background

Many Local Registration Offices previously accepted walk-in applicants during scheduled hours.

Looking ahead

This new appointment-based system is a further example of the Irish authorities’ continued efforts to streamline immigration processes and enhance user experience. This has been evidenced over the last two years, and in particular, during the COVID-19 crisis, where swift contingency measures were implemented to ensure continuity of the immigration system and minimize disruption. 

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].