Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) announces initiative to facilitate individuals travelling at Christmas

What is the change?

To facilitate Non-EU/EEA nationals legally resident in the State who wish to travel internationally during the festive period with an expired IRP card, the Minister for Justice is issuing a Travel Confirmation Notice.

The notice requests that carriers allow individuals to travel on their recently expired IRP card where an application to renew their permission was submitted to the ISD in advance of the expiration date.

Key points:

• Implementation time frame: The travel confirmation notice covers individuals traveling internationally between 6 December 2023 through 31 January 2024 inclusive.

• Who is affected: Non-EU/EEA nationals who are currently legally resident in Ireland and where they are pending the renewal of their current immigration permission. This allowance only applies where an application to renew an expiring immigration permission was submitted in advance of the expiry date of their IRP card.

Next Steps:

• Travellers should contact their airlines in advance of flights to confirm that the Travel Confirmation Notice will be accepted.

• Prior to travelling, the individual should ensure that a copy of the Travel Confirmation Notice is available together with a copy of their expired IRP card and proof of their renewal.

• If you must travel through a third country to return to Ireland, it is a matter for that jurisdiction to require you to meet their immigration requirements including visa etc

Analysis & Comments:

Deloitte welcomes the recent announcement by Department of Justice and trusts this will provide some comfort to individuals looking to travel over the festive period.

Employers and employees should be aware that the announced Travel Confirmation Notice only applies to those who submitted their renewal application prior to the expiry of their current immigration permission.