On Friday, March 26, Ireland’s government announced a further temporary extension of immigration permissions for the following:
- Permissions due to expire between April 21, 2021, and September 20, 2021
- Individuals with permission extended under previous notices
- Permissions registered by the Immigration Service and An Garda Síochána
From Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, “As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, I want to reassure people whose immigration permissions are due to expire shortly that your legal status in the country will continue to be maintained. To do this, I am introducing a further automatic extension to 20 September 2021 for anyone already holding a valid permission.”
“This extension will benefit those who cannot get an appointment to register or renew an existing permission. However, I encourage anyone who can renew, particularly Dublin-based customers who can use the online system, to do so and not to wait until September.”
“It is intended this will be the final temporary extension of immigration permission, however we will continue to keep the situation under review as part of our national response to the pandemic.”
What It Means
This temporary extension allows that individuals who held valid permission to be in Ireland in March 2020 are legally permitted to remain until September 20, 2021, even if their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are waiting for a new one. Renewal is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions will continue to apply.
Tens of thousands of people will benefit from this measure.
Next Steps
The Registration Office in Burgh Quay remains closed because of the COVID-19 restrictions announced in December. First-time registrants who were issued appointments will be contacted directly by the Immigration Service and they will be prioritized for appointments once the Public Office reopens.