Foreign registration appointments taking longer to book

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? High seasonal demand coinciding with the recent launch of an online appointment-booking system is causing foreign nationals to wait longer for appointments to complete registration requirements in Dublin.

What does the change mean? The Burgh Quay office of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has confirmed that individuals seeking to register should expect to book eight weeks in advance for an available appointment.

• Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Foreign registration.
• Who is affected: Foreign nationals scheduling appointments to register in Dublin.
• Impact on processing times: The wait for an available appointment slot has extended to eight weeks.
• Business impact: Employers and foreign nationals should take into account the current appointment delays when completing foreign registration procedures.

Background: A highly anticipated online appointment booking system launched last month to relieve chronic queues at the Burgh Quay office for foreign registration, which is required of all non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals staying in Ireland longer than 90 days.

BAL Analysis: Foreigners who need to register should anticipate delays in the online appointment system. Emergency appointments can be obtained in exceptional circumstances, but these appointments are at the discretion of the Burgh Quay INIS office. BAL is working with that office to obtain emergency appointments for clients on a case-by-case basis.

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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