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IMPACT — MEDIUM
The Irish government recently announced that certain non-EEA nationals will be allowed to travel on expired Irish Residence Permits during the holidays.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Foreign nationals are reminded that the average processing time to renew an IRP card at the Immigration Services Registration Office is approximately six to eight weeks, and they should expect to wait an additional two weeks to receive the new IRP card after completing the renewal process. Foreign nationals whose IRP card has expired and are unable to renew their card by its expiration date are allowed to stay in the country for eight weeks on the expired card.
BAL Analysis: Qualifying non-EEA nationals will now be able to travel abroad during the holidays on their expired IRP cards. Such individuals should be sure to review Irish authorities’ guidance for traveling abroad on an expired IRP card before planning travel to avoid complications and delays.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Irish government recently provided estimated processing times for employment and Irish Residence permit applications.
Employment Permits:
Irish Residence Permits:
Additional Information: Once the IRP renewal application has been approved, authorities will send an email to the applicant. This email can be used as proof of registration while the applicant waits for their new IRP card.
BAL Analysis: Some foreign nationals will be able to begin work in Ireland earlier than expected because of the shortened adjudication times for Irish employment permits. Employers should take note of the updated processing time estimates and plan timelines and start dates accordingly.
The Irish government recently announced that foreign nationals may be eligible for an Irish Residence Permit card extension due to a processing backlog.
BAL Analysis: Irish authorities allow foreign nationals who have applied to renew their IRP card and have yet to receive a new card to stay in the country for up to eight weeks due to a processing backlog at the Immigration Services Registration Office Burgh Quay Dublin.
The Dutch government announced that it will increase the statutory minimum wage by more than 10% in 2023.
Additional Information: The minimum wage is mostly relevant for those who want to sponsor dependent permits and to workers over the age of 21, including employee cardholders, whose wages cannot be lower than the minimum wage. Foreign workers must be paid above the minimum wage.
BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account when planning their 2023 budgets.
The Irish government has removed Russia and Belarus from its Short-Stay Visa Waiver Program.
Additional Information: Irish authorities will not recognize Russian passports issued in occupied foreign regions, including Ukraine and Georgia, when issuing visas or for those crossing borders. However, individuals holding Russian passports issued in controlled regions can still apply for asylum and remain entitled to Temporary Protected Status.
BAL Analysis: Ireland joins a number of other European countries that have suspended or limited certain visas and permits for Russian and Belarusian nationals. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice. BAL will continue to follow the global response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and will provide information as it becomes available.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
The Irish government has confirmed that it will permanently issue employment permits electronically.
Additional Information: Foreign nationals are reminded that they must fill in the employment permit number with all zeros in online forms. More information regarding the employee permit application process is available here.
BAL Analysis: The Irish government aims to reduce new application and renewal processing times and increase security of the permit by providing the employment permits electronically.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
The Irish government has announced it will publish a new law to modernize its employment permit system.
Additional Information: The employment permits system is managed through lists designating critical skills and ineligible occupations. The lists are reviewed regularly to ensure they meet current worker requirements. A list of occupations ineligible for employment permits is available here. The critical skills list is available here.
BAL Analysis: The new law was developed to attract more highly skilled workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to meet employment demands in the country. BAL will continue to monitor the modernization of Ireland’s employment permit system and will provide more information as it becomes available.
The Irish government has announced that it has temporally suspended visa-free entry for refugees traveling from “safe” European countries for 12 months.
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.
The Irish government has suspended the issuance of re-entry visas for children under the age of 16.
Additional Information: More information regarding traveling to and from Ireland with children is available here.
BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals will no longer need to apply for re-entry visas for children under the age of 16. Such individuals must now carry evidence of their relationship with their child to enter and exit Ireland.
Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
The Irish government recently updated its Critical Skills Occupations List and increased quotas for certain professions.
Additional Information: Current processing times for employment permits can be found here. Ireland reviews and updates the critical skills lists twice a year. Changes to the lists were made based on labor market conditions, submissions from relevant stakeholders and the currently COVID-19 situation.
BAL Analysis: The decision to add occupations to the Critical Skills List and increase quotas for some professions is intended to make it easier for companies to hire more foreign workers and alleviate labor shortages across the country.