View our frequently asked questions below relating to immigration and permission issues during the Covid-19 pandemic.
If your question is not answered, you can get in touch with our Helpline by calling 01 6740200 or emailing info@immigrantcouncil.ie.
FAQs last updated Tuesday, 4 May 2021.
Our telephone helpline is available on 01 674-0200 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am-1pm, and 7pm-9pm on Tuesday evenings. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic we are getting more calls than usual.
If you aren’t able to get through, you can email your questions to info@immigrantcouncil.ie.
The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service have automatically extended the immigration permissions of anyone whose Immigration Residency Permissions (IRP) card expired between 20 March 2020 and 20 September 2021.
Dublin-based non-Irish nationals can use INIS's online renewal system to renew their permissions by visiting https://inisonline.jahs.ie. Through the online renewal system you can upload the required documents, pay the renewal fee and then send your passport and expired/expiring IRP card through registered post.
At this time the online renewal system is only available for Dublin-based non-nationals.
Renewals outside of Dublin must be done in person at your local GNIB office. For a list of offices and when they will be re-opening, visit the INIS website.
In Dublin, the INIS registration office at Burgh Quay remains closed in line with public health advice. People with appointments that were cancelled due to Covid-19 will be contacted by the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) team to reschedule their appointments when the Burgh Quay office re-opens.
Upon opening, non-nationals living in Dublin who did not have an appointment but need to register should visit https://burghquayregistrationoffice.inis.gov.ie to book an appointment.
For a list of offices outside Dublin and when they will be re-opening, visit the INIS website.
For people based in Dublin who are renewing their immigration permissions using the INIS online renewal system, the average processing time is between 5-6 weeks from the point of submitting your application online and sending in your personal documents by registered post.
Our Helpline is continuing to receive calls from concerned people who are waiting for their documents to be returned from INIS. We understand how stressful it is being without your passport and other documents but the immigration department is working through a backlog of tens of thousands of renewals.
If you need your documents back for emergency situations such as needing to travel for a sick relative, etc., we recommend you email INIS at immigrationsupport@justice.ie and explain your situation. Multiple emails are recommended in order to get a response.
If you have submitted your passport to renew your permissions but need to travel for an emergency, please contact INIS directly at immigrationsupport@justice.ie or call (01) 616-7700. You should write ‘URGENT – PASSPORT REQUIRED – EMERGENCY’ in the subject line of your email.
Please note you will need to email or phone more than once to get a response. We recommend calling or emailing every day until you reach someone.
We know this is a frustrating time but keep trying – we are hearing from people who are able to get through and sort out getting their passports back so they can travel for emergencies.
We are hearing from many people about passports taking a long time to be sent back by INIS, passports being sent to the wrong people, and An Post tracking numbers provided by INIS not working.
It is taking on average 6 weeks or longer for passports to be sent back after confirmation of renewal.
We strongly advise you to contact INIS if your passport has not arrived after 6-8 weeks or if your An Post tracking number doesn’t work or if you have not received your IRP card. You can contact INIS at immigrationsupport@justice.ie or call (01) 616-7700. As you will likely only receive an automated response, you may also wish to copy INIScustomercomplaints@justice.ie, as this may assist you to receive a response more quickly.
If, following reasonable enquiries with INIS, your passport is still not located and returned to you, you should report it as lost to An Garda Síochána (your local police station) and contact your own Embassy.
Please note: If your passport is lost in the post, you may be entitled to compensation based on Irish data protection laws. Visit the Data Protection Commission to learn more and report your issue.
Yes, you can continue to work the standard 20 hours per week.
Please note that if your course is due to expire during the pandemic you are required to register for another course before it expires to keep your permission valid.
Yes – applications for citizenship can still be sent as normal, but this includes the requirement for the statutory declaration witnessed by Notary Public, a Commissioner for Oaths or a Solicitor which may not be possible because of Covid. For anyone applying for citizenship, the Department has advised longer turnaround times in returning documents such as passports.
The Department of Justice has announced that citizenship ceremonies will be suspended for the duration of the pandemic and anyone applying for citizenship will be required to submit a signed affidavit of loyalty to the State instead of attending ceremonies in person. You can read more on the Department of Justice website.
Yes, as long as the original permission that was automatically renewed counted as reckonable residence.
Yes, as a temporary measure. Applications can be submitted to Unit 5 Domestic Residence and Permissions Division, Immigration Service Delivery, PO Box 12595, Dublin 2 or via email to INISdefacto@justice.ie.
Yes. Visa appeals can be submitted electronically through email with scans of your original documents. Turnaround times for appeals will be longer due to COVID.
Some individuals with a valid, current permission to remain can apply to the Registration Office by email to request a letter confirming your permission to remain in the State that can be shown to employers.
Visit the noticeboard on the INIS website to see if your permission qualifies for this condition.
The Department of Justice has a dedicated Customer Service Department to address complaints about immigration service delivery. If you have experienced poor treatment or other issues we encourage you to lodge a complaint using the contact information below:
If the issue was related to the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) you can email INIScustomercomplaints@justice.ie or send your complaint by post to
INIS Quality Customer Service Officer
Department of Justice and Equality
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2
If the issue was related to your local Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) office, you can email customerservices@justice.ie or send your complaint by post to
Quality Customer Service Officer
Department of Justice and Equality
51 St. Stephen's Green
Dublin 2
Additionally, if your residence entitlements in Ireland are governed by EU law and you feel your rights under EU law have been breached, you can submit a complaint to the European Commission by email or by post. Further information and the online complaint form is available here.