Last Updated on February 23, 2023
Key Points
- The government is extending immigration permissions through April 20, 2021 due to COVID-19
- Immigration permissions with an expiration between January 21, 2021 and April 19, 2021 are eligible for the extension
- Employment Permits are excluded from the extension
- First-time registrants in Dublin require an in-person appointment
- An in-person appointment is required for all applicants outside of Dublin
Overview
In response to closures and processing delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Irish government is automatically renewing immigration permissions with an expiration date between January 21, 2021 and April 19, 2021 through April 20, 2021.
What are the Changes?
The Government of Ireland is granting a sixth blanket extension due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The latest extension, which is the sixth extension since March 2020, allows foreign nationals to avoid a lapse in status caused by closures and processing delays resulting from the pandemic.
Who is Affected?
The change applies to all immigration permissions, including passport stamps, Irish Residence Permit Cards, and other previously extended permissions. The automatic extension does not apply to Employment Permits. Employment Permit holders should proceed with the regular renewal process.
Workers whose immigration permissions were extended under previous blanket extensions from March through September will have their permissions automatically extended again if their expiration date ranges from January 21, 2020 through April 19, 2021.
What Should Employers and Applicants Know?
Dublin residents should use the government’s online system, implemented on July 20, 2020, to renew their IRP cards. Individuals registering for the first time must schedule an in-person appointment. The extension should give new applicants sufficient time to have their IRP cards processed and avoid a lapse in status.
Applicants outside of Dublin should schedule in-person appointments at their local registration office. The requirement applies to new and renewal applications. Applicants outside of Dublin are not eligible to use the online renewal process.
Looking Ahead
The latest extension is designed to alleviate backlogs for residency card renewals. The extension may be prolonged based on epidemiological conditions.
Content in this publication is not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an Envoy-affiliated attorney or another qualified professional.
