Deadline set for Christmas travel re-entry visa applications

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has published a cutoff date of Nov. 9 for foreign nationals in Ireland to apply for re-entry visas if they plan to travel for the Christmas holidays.

What does the change mean? Those applying by post must apply by Nov. 9 to obtain a re-entry visa in time to travel on or before the Christmas holidays.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing until Nov. 9.
• Visas/permits affected: Re-entry visas.
• Who is affected: Foreign nationals in Ireland whose current re-entry visa will expire before the holidays or foreign nationals who have recently entered Ireland and wish to travel during the Christmas period. Only citizens of visa-required countries must apply for re-entry visas.
• Impact on processing times: INIS posts re-entry visa processing times on its website. Applicants are reminded that processing times are longer ahead of peak holiday travel seasons.
• Business impact: Employers should remind foreign employees and families traveling for the Christmas holiday of the deadline.

Background: A re-entry visa is a multiple-entry visa that may be obtained by foreign nationals after they have moved to Ireland and secured an Irish Residence Permit, or IRP card. Before foreign nationals may apply for a re-entry visa, they must register to obtain their IRP permission.

Analysis & Comments: Foreign residents in Ireland planning to travel abroad for Christmas should not wait until the last minute to apply for re-entry visas, and those applying by mail must apply by Nov. 9.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.