Online re-entry visa appointment system launching soon

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? Ireland is planning to launch an online appointment system for re-entry visa applications soon.

What does the change mean? The online visa system will provide a more orderly scheme, especially during peak travel seasons, by relieving employees from having to queue at the INIS office without appointments.

• Implementation timeframe: The online system is expected to be implemented this summer.
• Visas/permits affected: In-countryapplications for re-entry visas.
• Who is affected: Visa-required nationals resident in Ireland.
• Business impact: The online appointment system will save applicants time by doing away with the current walk-in system and allowing them to schedule appointments several weeks in advance.
• Next steps: The INIS is now devoting staff resources to develop the system, which it expects will be operational this summer. Meanwhile,employees applying for re-entry visas should continue to do so by post or in-person and plan ahead for the busy summer travel season.

Background: Originally proposed to take effect in April, the online system will allow visa applicants to book an appointment up to two months in advance. The applicant must print out a confirmation to bring to the appointment and show it, along with an ID, before their application can be processed. For family applicants, one adult may appear but must show proof of the relationship with the family applicants.

The online system is intended to relieve long queues. Currently, applicants who do not apply for their re-entry visas by post must queue up at the INIS office in Dublin during limited office hours and are given a ticket for service on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum of 150 applicants processed per day.

BAL Analysis: The online system should significantly improve the speed and ease of obtaining a re-entry visa. BAL is following these developments and will update clients as the rollout date nears.

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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