In light of the uncertainties caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19, the following Notice applies to all persons with a current valid permission due to expire from 20/3/2020 to 20/5/2020, whether pursuant to domestic law or powers of the Minister, or Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive).
All such permissions that are due to expire from 20/3/2020 to 20/5/2020 are automatically renewed by the Minister for a period of 2 months. The renewal of permission is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions attach. In relation to persons with existing permission under Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive), the automatic renewal is subject to the requirement that the person is complying with the requirements of the Directive.
If you have any questions, please consult the FAQs below.
Will I still get a written decision in response to my renewal application?
Yes, when everything returns to normal, you will receive a written decision in respect of your renewal application. If your application is successful, the 2 months related to the automatic renewal will be included in your permission. If your application is unsuccessful, the 2 months will still be considered time spent with lawful permission in the State.
Are my children’s permissions extended along with mine?
If your permission is extended as a result of this public notice then the permissions of your children are also extended. This only applies if your children already have a permission based on your permission and are residing with you in the State.
Yes. Your current permission will be automatically renewed under the terms outlined in the notice.
I have been granted refugee status or Subsidiary Protection by the
Minister. Does this notice cover me?
I have been granted permission to remain by the Minister under Section 49 of
the International Protection Act, 2015. Does this notice cover me?
Yes. Your current permission will be automatically renewed under the terms outlined in the notice.
No. If you have applied for international protection, are cooperating with the process, and you are still waiting for a final decision from the Minister, you will automatically have a new card sent to you by the International Protection Office (IPO) to your place of residence. There is no need to come to the International Protection Office to have your TRC renewed.
Labour Market Access for International Protection Applicants
My permission to access the labour market soon expires or has recently expired and I have not received a new permission from the Labour Market Access Unit (LMAU). Does this notice apply to me?Yes. Your permission will be extended as per the notice. This applies as long as you have not yet received a final decision on your international protection claim. You should refer your employer or potential employer to this website notice as evidence of your extended permission. Further details on the operation of this scheme can be accessed here: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/labour-market-access
I have a labour market access permission, and have since received a final decision on my international protection application. Does this notice apply to me?No. As stated on your permission, your permission to access the labour market is no longer valid once you receive a final decision on your international protection claim.
I am an international protection applicant and have never held a permission to access the labour market. Does this notice mean I can work without a permission?No. The notice only applies to permissions already held and which are being extended. You still need to apply to the LMAU (see web link above) to receive a first permission before you are entitled to work.
My previous permissions were for periods of 6 months. Does this notice mean that my permission is extended for another 6 months.No. The permission is extended only to the time indicated in this notice.
I am an asylum seeker or an applicant for subsidiary protection awaiting a final decisiononmyapplicationforinternationalprotection. Mytemporaryresidence certificate (“TRC” also known as the “blue” card) is due to expire during the
period covered by the notice. Am I covered by this notice too?
I hold a student permission due to expire between 20/3/2020 and 20/5/2020. Does
this notice apply to me?
Yes. Your current student permission will be automatically renewed under the terms outlined in the notice.
I do not hold a current permission to be in the State, does this notice apply to
me?
No. The notice applies to those with a current permission. It does not apply to persons who have no valid permission to be in the State.
You can present evidence of your last permission, in the form of a formal decision letter or an IRP, or both, together with a copy of this Notice, as evidence of your ongoing permission to remain in the State. This will also show that, owing to circumstances entirely outside of your own control, your permission to remain renewal application could not be processed in the usual way at the material time.
Yes. The Residence Permission issued to you by this Department on foot of the Working Holiday Authorisation is covered by this notice.
‘Stamp 0’ cases
My visitor’s permission expires shortly and I have made an application for a longer term permission as an elderly dependent and have not yet received a decision. Is my visitor’s permission extended as per the notice?Yes
My visitor’s permission expires shortly, and I have made an application for a longer term permission as a person of independent means and have not received a decision. Is my visitor’s permission extended as per the notice?Yes
My visitor’s permission expires shortly, and I made an application for permission as a visiting academic/researcher and have not received a decision. Is my visitor’s permission extended as per the notice?Yes
In the absence of an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) and a formal decision letter, what can I show my employer/prospective employer as evidence of my
continuing permission to remain in the State?
I acquired my permission as per the Working Holiday Authorisation Programme.
Does this notice apply to me?
Will this renewal of permission be counted as reckonable residence
for citizenship purposes?
The 2 months related to the automatic renewal of permission will count as reckonable residence for citizenship purposes only in circumstances where the person in question already held a nature of permission which counted as reckonable residence.
No, Burgh Quay and all local registration offices are currently closed. The requirement to register this permission will not arise until Burgh Quay (and other registration offices) re-open or alternative arrangements are put in place.
As Burgh Quay is now closed, all existing appointments will be cancelled. Please do not turn up to the office.
No, there is no need to register the renewal referred to in the notice.
No, as there is no requirement to register the renewal referred to in the notice. When registrations resume, the normal fees for registrations will apply.
In the event that normal business has resumed by then, your permission to remain renewal application will be processed in the usual way and you will be issued with a written response. If, however, normal business has not resumed by the end of that period, a further extension of permission may have to be facilitated. This website will be updated as necessary to reflect the latest positions.
I’ve recently arrived in the State and was told I had to register at
Burgh Quay or my local Registration office, can I still do this?
I have a registration appointment booked for Burgh Quay, what
should I do?
Do I need to register the renewal referred to in this notice with my
local immigration officer?
Will I be required to pay a registration fee in the context of this two
month extension of permission?
What will happen at the end of this two month period regarding
renewal of permissions?
I do not reside in Ireland but I am currently lawfully in the State having received a short-stay permission upon arrival (e.g., permission as a tourist), which is due to expire between 20/3/2020
and 20/05/2020 – does this notice also apply to me?
Yes. While the notice is specifically intended to cover people with permission to reside in Ireland, if you have permission to be in the State, and this is due to expire between the dates mentioned above, your permission is considered renewed for a further 2 months on the same conditions given to you upon arrival.
No. The Department will deal with applications for renewals of permissions expired before 20/3/2020 on a case by case basis.
My permission expired before 20/3/2020 – does this notice also
apply to me?
The Notice says “In relation to persons with existing permission under Directive 2004/38/EC (Free Movement Directive), the automatic renewal is subject to the requirement that the person is complying with the requirements of the Directive”. Am I supposed to provide evidence I am complying with the requirement of the
Directive?
No. You are not requested to provide any evidence until further notice.
Further information related to Atypical Working Schemes (AWS)
only
Does the announced permission extension incur a registration requirement (and fee)?
No registration requirement will apply for rollover of AWS applicants.
No fee for the first 2 months rollover
How will cooling off periods be affected by this extension?
This extension will not affect the date from which a cooling off period is reckoned.
The commencement date of a cooling off period will be reckoned as the date of expiry of the
originally granted permission, had any extension not been granted.
An earlier date of commencement will be reckoned if the applicant can demonstrate that they left prior to the expiry of their normal 90 day permission.
I am not in a position to travel before the date of expiry of my letter of approval under the Scheme.
The situation regarding travel and immigration difficulties arising from COVID-19 will be dealt with in a pragmatic manner by the Atypical Working Scheme Unit, provided that we are notified of such difficulties in a timely manner.
In instances where a permission holder is not permitted to travel during the validity period of their decision letter, the currently valid letter of approval for the applicant should be returned to this office as a matter of urgency and an amended letter of approval will issue when this office has been notified of revised travel plans.
In the cases of nurses and seafarers, amended contracts to reflect these new dates must be provided (and RCSI/Adaptation dates for nurses)
When the above criteria is meet - No new application, or payment of application fee, will be required in such cases.
In instances where travel dates are amended but remain within the validity period of a previously issued decision letter, no action is required and the travel can occur in line with the new dates.
I had to leave early due to travel restrictions or work shut down but will need to return when restrictions are lifted.
The situation regarding travel and immigration difficulties arising from COVID-19 will be dealt with in a pragmatic manner by the Atypical Working Scheme Unit, provided that we are notified of such difficulties in a timely manner.
In instances where a permission holder was required to depart the State prior to completion of the contract on the basis of which permission under the Scheme was granted, the currently valid letter of approval for the applicant should be returned to this office as a matter of urgency and an amended letter of approval will issue when this office has been notified of revised travel plans, and provided with confirmation from the Irish-based host body regarding the cessation of operations, and evidence of date of departure.
When the above criteria is meet no new application, or payment of application fee, will be required.
If you need further assistance please email: [email protected]