Foreign residents advised to apply early for re-entry visas

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service is advising that demand for re-entry visas is expected to be high in the coming weeks leading up to the holiday season.

What does the change mean? The INIS office recommends that foreign residents planning to travel during the holiday season apply well in advance and by post (rather than booking an online appointment for an in-person visit) for their re-entry visas.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Re-entry visas.
• Who is affected: Foreign nationals applying for re-entry visas at the Burgh Quay INIS office.
• Impact on processing times: Applicants should allow for processing times of 15 working days.
• Business impact: Employers and foreign nationals should apply as early as possible for re-entry visas.
• Next steps: Foreign nationals residing in Ireland who plan to travel during the holiday season are advised to apply via registered mail for their re-entry visas well ahead of their departure.

Background: This time of year typically brings a high demand for re-entry visas by foreign residents planning to travel abroad for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The INIS reminds applicants that there is no need to schedule an online appointment and the fastest way to apply is by post.

BAL Analysis: Expatriate residents and their families in Ireland who plan to depart for the holidays should not leave it to the last minute to apply and obtain their re-entry visas, and should mail their applications via registered post along with original documents, including their passports, to the INIS office. Although a small number of emergency appointments are available, they will only be given in cases of serious illness or a death in the family and the applicant must have plans to travel within the following two days.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@bal.com.

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