Visa-free entry for most refugees suspended

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Irish government has announced that it has temporally suspended visa-free entry for refugees traveling from “safe” European countries for 12 months.

Key Points:

• As of July 18, refugees who hold Convention Travel Documents must apply for a visa to travel to Ireland for less than 90 days.
• Visa-free travel remains available to Ukrainian nationals.
• Individuals who have been granted refugee status in other counties can still apply for a visa to travel to Ireland.

Additional Information: The visa exemption still applies to refugees who hold Convention Travel Documents issued by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland More information regarding the decision to spend visa-free entry for many refugees is available here.

BAL Analysis: Irish authorities suspended visa-free entry for refugees who hold Convention Travel Documents because of reported abuses of the system. Such refugees will no longer be able to travel to Ireland without a visa for at least the next 12 months.

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

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