Travel with an expired IRP card during the Christmas period 09 December 2022 to 31 January 2023
Updated: Jun 2
The Immigration Services Delivery (ISD) Office in Burgh Quay Dublin is currently experiencing a very large volume of applications. The current processing time to renew an IRP is about 8 weeks.
To facilitate Non-EEA Nationals legally resident in the State who need to renew IRP cards and who wish to travel internationally during the Christmas period, the Minister is issuing a Travel Confirmation Notice. This document will allow the individuals to travel on their recently expired IRP card. When travelling you should present the following documents to immigration authorities and airlines if requested to do so:
Your Passport
Your recently expired IRP Card.
Confirmation of your IRP Card renewal submitted in advance of the expiry date (email confirmation which details the date of application and OREG number).
Download and print the Travel Confirmation Notice issued by the Department of Justice below.
Travel-Confirmation-Notice-Attachment_From Future Direct Immigration
.pdf
Download PDF • 80KB
This will enable you to travel in confidence from 9 December 2022 to 31 January 2023, provided an application to renew your registration permission was submitted in advance of the expiry date of your IRP Card. This Travel Confirmation Notice is valid from 09 December 2022 to 31 January 2023 only. The Department will continue to process applications for online renewals.
Future Direct specializes in Irish Employment Permits and immigration. We are one of the leading immigration consultancy firms providing immigration services to corporates and individual clients in Ireland. Feel free to contact us if you have queries on Irish visas, employment permits, visa extensions and etc.
You can reach us at +353 872400433 or email info@futuredirect.ie. We are happy to answer your questions.
Frequent Asked Questions
Travel Arrangement from 09 December 2022 to 31 January 2023
Q1. What happens if I want to remain abroad after the 31 January 2023?
Answer: If you wish to remain abroad after 31 January 2023 you will need to renew
your IRP card before you travel. If you are a visa-required national and have
been unable to renew your IRP card before your travel date, then, on an
exceptional basis, you can apply for a visa to re-enter the State at your local Irish
Embassy or Consular Office.
This application should be made online on AVATS when at your destination and
you will then be instructed to submit the application to the local mission or visa
office, who will do their best to expedite your case.
The contact details for the Mission to which you send your application will be on
the AVATS summary sheet. If you are a visa-required national, you can apply for
a visa here.
Q2. What happens if I want to travel after 31 January 2023?
Answer: Non-nationals who wish to travel outside Ireland after 31 January 2023 must be
in possession of a valid in date IRP card and/or an appropriate visa if they intend
to re-enter the State.
Q3. What happens if I am waiting for a letter of permission before applying for an IRP
card?
Answer. If you are in possession of or waiting for a letter of permission from ISD, and
you wish to travel during this period, you should contact the section dealing with
your application directly at one of the contact points here.
Q4. I have applied for EU Treaty Rights but still do not have a letter of temporary
permission to allow me to apply for an IRP card. What can I do?
Answer: Applicants who consider they may have an entitlement to temporary
permission and are planning to travel should email eutreatyrights@justice.ie as
soon as possible and provide documentary evidence of their Christmas travel
plans.
The ISD will make every effort to prioritize the request. If you are traveling
with children please provide their names, dates of birth, and document numbers
so ISD can include them.
Q5. I have been in Ireland for a number of weeks but have been unable to get an
appointment in Dublin to register my permission. What can I do?
Answer. The ISD is working hard to give every applicant an appointment as soon as
possible. If you have urgent travel plans please contact immmigrationsupport@justice.ie with a copy of your airline ticket and your flight details, including outward and return journey details, and using the subject line ‘Flights booked for travel’ so ISD can assist you if possible. Please note that details of return flights must be provided or your request to have your application expedited will be refused.
If you are a visa-required national and you entered the State on a multi-entry
visa in recent months, that visa may still be valid for re-entry. You should check
the validity dates on the visa sticker. However, if you were issued a single
entry visa and have not registered, you will need to apply for a re-entry visa
from an overseas visa office before you return.
On an exceptional basis, you can apply for a visa to re-enter the State at your
local Irish Embassy or Consular Office. This application should be made on-line
on AVATS when at your destination and you will then be instructed to submit
the application to the local mission or visa office, who will do their best to
expedite your case. The contact details for the Mission to which you send your
application will be on the AVATS summary sheet. If you are a visa-required
National, you can apply for a visa here
It is best to apply for a multi-entry visa, which will be valid for a further six
months from the date of issue.
Q6. What happens if I am unable to return by this deadline because of COVID-19
restrictions or flight problems?
Answer. In that case and if you are visa-required, you can apply for a visa online and submit the application at your local overseas mission and the mission will do its best to expedite your case. The contact details for the mission to which you submit your
the application will be on your online AVATS summary sheet.
Q7. I have applied online for a new IRP card. If it arrives at my Irish address while I am traveling, can I use a soft copy to return to Ireland after 31 January 2023?
Answer. A soft copy of your IRP card is not acceptable for travel. If you stay abroad after
the 31 January 2023 and you do not have a new, physical IRP card, and if you are
a visa required national, you can apply for a visa here .
When selecting the reason for travel on the online visa form you should select ‘other’ and Long Stay (D) should be selected for visa type.
Q8. What if I have to travel through a third country to return to Ireland?
Answer. Immigration Services (ISD) will communicate with the airlines and immigration
authorities to inform them of the changes in place until 31 January 2023.
However, where you require immigration permission for that third country it is a
matter for that jurisdiction to determine if you meet their immigration requirements including visa etc.
Q9. I am a diplomat who wishes to remain outside Ireland beyond 31 January 2023. What should I do?
Answer. Diplomats with valid credentials from the Department of Foreign Affairs may
enter the country using those credentials in place of a re-entry visa. Please direct
all queries to the Protocol Office, Department of Foreign Affairs. Click here for
contact details.