IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change?
The Irish government has announced that foreign nationals with valid immigration permission that expires between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20 will be granted an automatic one-month extension. This comes after the previous three extensions that were implemented on March 20, May 13 and July 16. Any permission that was renewed by these previous notices and now has a new expiry date between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20 is automatically renewed by this notice for a further one month.

This measure has been introduced as a result of the temporary closures of the Burgh Quay Registration Office (BQRO) and IRP registration offices across Ireland, where foreign nationals would be required to register their immigration permission once in Ireland.

  • Implementation time frame: This change is set to take effect immediately. The Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin is closing temporarily from Aug. 19 in anticipation of revised public health guidance to be issued.
  • Who is affected: All foreign nationals residing in Ireland with valid immigration permission (based on employment, studies, dependant family, tourism, etc.) due to expire between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20 are now provided an automatic one-month extension. Additionally any permission which was renewed by the three previous automatic extensions and as a result expires during the period of Aug. 20 and Sept. 20 is also automatically renewed by this notice for a further one month. IRP appointments scheduled at the BQRO on Aug. 19, 20 and 21 have been cancelled and will be rescheduled in due course.
  • Next steps: Employers should update their employees with upcoming Irish Residence Permit expiries.

Background: In Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an employment permit to work. Certain nationalities must then apply for an entry visa to enter Ireland to commence work. Once in Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an Irish residence permit to register their permission and reside. This Irish Residence Permission is to be renewed in Ireland when appropriate by the non-EEA national.

The first automatic extension of expiring Irish Residence Permit came into effect on March 20. It was confirmed that a foreign national with valid immigration permission due to expire between March 20 and May 20 would be granted an automatic two-month extension. The second automatic extension of expiring Irish Residence Permit came into effect on May 20, confirming that a foreign national with valid immigration permission due to expire between May 20 and July 20 would be granted an automatic two-month extension. The third extension came into effect on July 20, confirming that a foreign national with valid immigration permission due to expire between July 20 and Aug. 20, would be granted an automatic one-month extension.

Analysis & Comments: The fourth automatic extension of immigration permission for a further one month provides additional certainty to employers and employees whose permission was due to expire. This ensures that employees retain their permission under the same conditions during this time. It is important that employers review their upcoming expiries and update the expiry date by a further month.

The Dublin area Registration Office, located in Burgh Quay, will close temporarily to allow for revised public health guidance to be issued. Appointments that have issued for Aug. 19, 20 and 21 will be rescheduled, and a further announcement in relation to the operation of the registration office will issue before the end of this week.

All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only and the system has been available for all applicants since July 20 at https://inisonline.jahs.ie; renewal applications will continue to be accepted.

Individuals living in the Dublin area that are renewing their residence permission may still apply using the online platform during this time.

If you have employees or potential new hires who may be impacted by the above changes, please contact the Deloitte immigration team to assist. We continue to update our FAQ for employers, found here.

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