Global Alerts

Ireland– Abolition of Re-entry Visa System Announced

Effective May 13, 2019, visa-required nationals holding a valid Irish Resident Permit (IRP) card or GNIB card will no longer require a re-entry visa to leave and return to Ireland. An IRP or GNIB card and passport will be sufficient to prove a right to travel to Ireland.

Exceptions

• Visa-required nationals under the age of 16 years are not issued with an IRP/GNIB card. Their parents or guardians will be able to apply for a re-entry visa for them, to ensure that they can travel in and out of Ireland while living there.

• Visa-required nationals intending to travel in and out of Ireland during the first months of their planned stay, before their IRP card is issued, should apply for a multiple entry visa before entry.

Interim Arrangements

Interim arrangements have been established, including the following:

• Those who have already submitted an application for a re-entry visa to INIS for re-entry on or after May 13, 2019 will have their application returned unprocessed, and their postal order refunded.

• Those who have already submitted an application for a re-entry visa to INIS for re-entry before May 13, 2019 must make an appointment online to visit the INIS re-entry visa office in Burgh Quay, Dublin, to make an application in person. There will be no fee for the issuance of this re-entry visa.

• Those who have not yet submitted an application but wish to travel and return before May 13, 2019 will have to make an appointment online to visit the INIS re-entry visa office in Burgh Quay, Dublin, to make an application in person.

Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact their immigration specialist for case-specific advice.