Ireland will provide a Travel Confirmation Note, enabling individuals to travel internationally despite their recently expired permit card during the holiday season, the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) have announced.
However, the individuals must submit in advance an application to renew their Irish Residence Permit (IRP card) to ISD officials.
The Travel Confirmation Note will be valid starting from December 6, 2023, until January 31 next year. This implies that individuals who possess an IRP card that has expired within the eight weeks, and apply for a renewal can travel abroad and re-enter the country with such a document within this period.
According to the Irish authorities, such a measure was taken in an effort to facilitate lawfully residing non-EU/EEA nationals who need to renew their present license and want to travel abroad during the Christmas and New Year season.
However, where a current permission of residence in Ireland had expired prior to submitting an application for renewal, those persons are considered to be out of permission. The entitlement to use an expired IRP card for re-entry to the State will not apply to those persons.
Furthermore, they claim that the process of renewing applications will continue as quickly as possible.
Before travelling, individuals should present to immigration authorities and airlines (if applicable) a printed copy of the travel notice, along with their expired permit card and proof of their renewal application, such as email confirmation.
ISD says that it will advise all airlines and foreign missions about this measure, but it cannot compel them to participate.
Whereas for individuals who want to travel through a third country to go back to Ireland, it becomes the responsibility of that particular jurisdiction to mandate compliance with its immigration prerequisites.
Individuals who wish to stay abroad after January 31, 2024, must renew their IRP in advance.
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.
On the other hand, non-citizens who want to leave Ireland after January 31, 2024, will need to have a current IRP card and/or the proper visa if they want to enter the country again.
Earlier this year, Irish authorities suggested legally residing foreigners in Ireland check their permits before the holiday period and, if needed, to submit a renewal application by October 31 this year.
