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 Thurs, 24 September 2020.
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 January 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 will re-open Monday 20 July for applications and renewals that cannot be completed online (such as first-time registrations). People with appointments that were cancelled due to Covid-19 will be contacted by the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) team to reschedule their appointments.
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.
Offices outside of Dublin will re-open at different dates in July and August. For a list of offices 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 burghquayregoffice@justice.ie and explain your situation. Multiple emails are recommended in order to get a response.
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 burghquayregoffice@justice.ie and explain your situation. Multiple emails are recommended in order to get a response.
Yes, you can continue to work.
Until 1 October 2020 you can work up to 40 weeks a week. As of 1 October, you can only work 20 hours (which was the standard allowance before the pandemic).
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.
Please note that citizenship ceremonies have been postponed during Covid-19.
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.