What is the change?

Re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 have been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.

Children under 16 who wish to re-enter the State must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has a legal permission to reside in the State. The adult accompanying the child must also provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the legal parent or guardian of the child in question.

Key points:

• Implementation time frame: Effective immediately and until further notice.
  
•  Who is affected: All applicants with visa-required dependant children under the age of 16.
• Next Steps: Should your child/ren be affected by this and you have upcoming travel plans, then you should ensure to carry the following appropriate document when travelling back to Ireland:
  • A birth or adoption certificate, or guardianship papers showing your relationship with the child
  • A marriage/divorce certificate if you are the child’s parent but have a different surname
  • A death certificate in the case of a deceased parent

These should be carried in addition to valid passports and any other appropriate immigration permission.

If you have filed a multi re-entry visa for your child/ren, then you should expect to receive all of your documents back in due course. The application will not be processed and your child/ren will not receive the visa sticker.

Analysis & Comments:

Deloitte welcomes this positive change, which allows children to travel in out of Ireland without the need for a multi re-entry visa. This reduces the delays for families who are hoping to travel in the near future.