Ireland – COVID-19: Temporary Arrangements for Irish Residence Permit Registrations
Ireland–Temporary Arrangements for IRP Registrations
In light of the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 and the difficulties some people can encounter as a result of not having an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, the authorities have introduced certain temporary measures for between now and 20 July 2020. Certain individuals in Ireland awaiting their first IRP registration, can apply to the Burgh Quay Registration Office to request a letter confirming their permission to remain in Ireland.
As previously reported (see GMS Flash Alert 2020-235 (15 May 2020)), the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin and all local Registration offices are currently closed. The reopening of the offices will be kept under review as the situation develops. In light of the uncertainties caused by COVID-19 and the difficulties some people can encounter as a result of not having an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, the authorities have introduced certain temporary measures for between now and 20 July 2020.1 Certain individuals in Ireland awaiting their first IRP registration, can apply to the Burgh Quay Registration Office to request a letter confirming their permission to remain in Ireland.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Employers should note that individuals who have recently entered Ireland and have been unable to register and obtain an IRP card will be eligible, in certain circumstances, to obtain a letter which will confirm their legal status in Ireland. This should help alleviate any concerns about what to do for non-European Economic Area (EEA) employees with only entry stamps as evidence of their legal right to be in Ireland.
Temporary Arrangements for Individuals Awaiting First-Time Registration for Irish Residence Permits
The Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin and all local Registration offices remain closed and will only reopen when it is safe to do so. To address the uncertainties regarding COVID-19 and the difficulties of not having a valid IRP card, the Immigration Service Delivery Function has implemented a temporary measure for between now and 20 July 2020.
Non-EEA individuals currently in Ireland awaiting their first-time registration for certain categories of stamps (as listed below) and who hold a valid permission to remain, i.e., a valid entry stamp, can apply to the Burgh Quay Registration Office to request a letter confirming their permission to remain in Ireland and the conditions attaching to their permission.
Stamp 1 |
Employment Permit Stamp 1 (General and Critical Skills) |
Hosting Agreements |
|
Stamp 1A |
Trainee Accountant |
Stamp 1G |
Spouse/Partner of Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder |
Stamp 2 |
Student |
Stamp 4 |
Spouse of an Irish National |
Family Reunification Beneficiaries |
The application and all required documentation must be submitted electronically to the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin. There will be no changes to eligibility for permissions; all usual criteria will continue to apply.
Should permission be granted, individuals will still be required to register their permission in the normal manner once the registration offices reopen. When the registration offices do reopen, priority will be given to those seeking to register for the first time. Individuals who were registering for the first time and had their appointments cancelled as a result of the registration office closures will have their appointments rescheduled automatically. Other appointments will be made available exclusively for other first-time applicants.
Entry to Ireland and Visa-Required Nationals
Additionally, for those individuals whose permissions have been extended, this does not include entry to Ireland for visa-required nationals. Accordingly, non-EEA visa-required nationals who leave Ireland after the expiry of their permission will need to apply for an entry visa to be able to return to Ireland. However, due to the temporary suspension of the entry visa system as a result of COVID-19, an individual is currently only able to apply for an emergency/priority visa in limited circumstances.
KPMG NOTE
Clients should be aware of these changes as they can now confirm the status of non-EEA employees who are seeking to register their residence permissions in Ireland for the first time.
For advice on this changing situation, please contact your local qualified immigration counsel or the Corporate Immigration and Employment Law Team with KPMG in Ireland.
FOOTNOTE
1 For additional information and the announcement on this policy, see: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/COVID-19-updates-and-announcements.
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* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Ireland.
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