Ireland Warns IRP Holders of Six-to-Nine-Week Renewal Delays Ahead of Holiday Travel
Dublin: Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has advised non-European Economic Area (EEA) residents planning to travel abroad during the holiday season to apply early for the renewal of their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards.
The warning comes amid a sharp increase in renewal applications, with processing currently taking between six and nine weeks. Applicants may also have to wait a further two weeks for their renewed IRP card to arrive by post after the application has been processed.
A valid IRP card may be required for travel and re-entry to Ireland. The authorities have therefore urged residents whose permits are due to expire before their departure or while they are abroad to submit their renewal applications online as soon as they become eligible.
The advice applies to non-EEA nationals living in Ireland who need to renew their residence permits ahead of international travel. Applications must be submitted through the ISD’s online renewal portal.
Applications close to travel dates are not guaranteed
The Registration Office has clarified that it cannot guarantee the completion of applications or delivery of IRP cards before an applicant’s planned departure if the application is submitted shortly before travel.
Although officials will make every effort to process applications as quickly as possible, residents have been advised not to leave renewal until the last minute in the expectation that their new cards will arrive in time.
Re-entry visas limited to urgent circumstances
The ISD has also cautioned residents against assuming that they can obtain a re-entry visa if their renewed IRP card has not arrived before their return journey.
Subject to appointment availability, re-entry visas may be considered for applicants who are awaiting delivery of their renewed IRP cards and can demonstrate a genuine and urgent need to travel.
However, pre-planned official trips and holidays are not considered qualifying urgent circumstances.
Applications can be submitted 12 weeks before expiry
IRP renewal applications can be submitted up to 12 weeks, or 84 days, before the existing permit expires. Applications submitted earlier than this period will be rejected, the ISD has said.
The authorities have also clarified that applying early will not reduce the validity period of a renewed residence permit.
The duration of the new permit will be calculated from the expiry date of the existing IRP card, rather than the date on which the renewal application is submitted or processed.
This means eligible residents can apply as early as permitted without losing any of the remaining validity of their current residence permission.
Irish Samachar English News