COVID-19: Visa processing resumes for essential family reunification, certain business, employment purposes

IMPACT – HIGH

The Irish government has announced officials will resume processing visa applications for essential family reunification and for certain business and employment purposes for applicants who have been granted an employment permit.

The following applicants are now eligible to have their visas processed:

1. Long-stay Join Family Members visa applicants, including:
   • All Long Stay D Visa join family applicants, including third country national family members of Irish nationals and individuals exercising free movement under the EU Directive.
   • Preclearance applicants for: De Facto Partner of an Irish National; De Facto Partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder, or of a non EEA Researcher on a Hosting Agreement and Non EEA Family members looking to join a U.K. National in Ireland.
2. Individuals traveling for business or employment purposes who have been granted an employment permit by Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to meet an enterprise’s key business.

Additional Information: The Irish government continues not to process the majority of short-stay applications except for cases that fall under the Emergency and Priority criteria. Other visa processing suspensions will be reviewed in the coming weeks.

Anyone traveling to Ireland must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, test negative on a COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival and quarantine at home or in a designated facility, depending on their travel history.

Analysis & Comments: The change is welcome news that will allow a significant number of people to obtain their visas to travel to Ireland. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States, which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.