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Travel with an expired IRP card during the Christmas period 09 December 2022 to 31 January 2023

Updated: Jun 2, 2023

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.


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.


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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.







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