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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has opened its second public consultation period of 2020, seeking comments and recommendations on changes to the Critical Skills Occupations List and Ineligible Occupations List.
What does the change mean? The public consultation allows Irish employers, business organizations and other interested parties a chance to help shape policy on high-skilled immigration by providing input on skills and labor shortages in their economic sector. Submissions may be submitted up until the close of business on Dec. 11.
Background: The Critical Skills Occupation List is comprised of high-skilled jobs that are experiencing labor or skills shortages and are critical to the Irish economy. The current Critical Skills Occupations List is available here. The Ineligible Occupations List comprises jobs for which there are sufficient Irish/EEA workers available to fill, and are therefore ineligible to be filled by non-EEA workers. The current Ineligible Occupations List is available here.
Analysis & Comments: The consultation period provides stakeholders the opportunity to offer observations about skills and labor shortages in their economic sector. Those making submissions should include any information that may be relevant to making adjustments to the occupations lists, including data on skills or labor shortages or information on recruitment efforts, retention difficulties, training incentives, business impacts or expansion plans. They may also wish to provide industry surveys or other reports with information about their sector.
Information about the consultation period is available on this website. Information on the Employment Permits Acts and Employment Permits Regulations is available here. Employers who would like to discuss submissions are encouraged to contact the Deloitte immigration team.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – MEDIUM What is the change? In line with recent Irish Government announcements, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has announced that the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin will temporarily close until at least Dec. 2.
What does the change mean? This impacts all non-EEA nationals living in Dublin who need to register their permission in Ireland for the first time and receive their first IRP card. Outside of Dublin, in person appointments are required at the registration offices for all non-EEA nationals that need to register and renew their permission in Ireland. These regional offices currently remain open.
Non-EEA nationals should note that an automatic extension has been announced that covers all foreign nationals with valid immigration permission, and extends that permission until Jan. 20, 2021. This extension applies to all foreign nationals currently in Ireland with a valid IRP card, or dated passport entry stamp. The extension covers permissions to reside in Ireland. It does not allow for travel in and out of Ireland
Additional Information: The Irish government have made this decision as part of their efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
In Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an employment permit to work. Certain nationalities must then apply for an entry visa to enter Ireland to commence work. Once in Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an Irish residence permit to register their permission and reside. This Irish Residence Permission is to be renewed in Ireland when appropriate by the non-EEA national.
Analysis & Comments: The closure of the registration office in Dublin means that non-EEA nationals in Dublin will not be able to register until it re-opens. Regional registration offices (Galway, Limerick, Cork etc.) remain open at this time. We will provide further updates if this changes.
For visa-required nationals, it should be noted that a valid IRP card, or valid Irish entry visa endorsement will need to be held by the individual in order to enter Ireland. Employers and employees should bear this in mind when making plans to travel, particularly as the holiday period approaches.
The automatic extension that was most recently announced will cover residential permission in Ireland; it will not cover visa-required individuals for travel into Ireland. To enter Ireland, valid, in-date permission, must be held.
The closure of the offices should not affect employee’s permission to work in Ireland. However, it is likely to affect some employee’s rights to re-enter Ireland. Employers should check in with any employees who are working abroad and who may wish to re-enter Ireland.
All non-EEA nationals who reside in county Dublin, and need to renew their IRP permission, may continue to do this using the online IRP renewal application portal. You can read more about this here.
All non-EEA nationals who reside in any county outside of Dublin will continue to be able to attend an appointment at their local Garda station/registration office.
If you have employees or potential new hires who may be impacted by the above changes, please contact the Deloitte immigration team to assist. We continue to update our FAQ for employers found here.
What is the change? Ireland will increase its minimum wage from €10.10 per hour to €10.20 per hour on Jan. 1, 2021.
What does the change mean? The change will affect the base salary requirements for several work permission categories, including: Atypical Working Scheme permissions, Internship Employment Permits, Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permits, Contract for Services Permits.
Analysis & Comments: Overall, this is a positive and welcomed change. Employers should identify employees whose salaries require adjustment and make the appropriate increases to meet the new statutory minimum wage. Employers should also consider this when hiring any new employees. If you have employees or potential new hires who are impacted by the above changes, please contact the Deloitte immigration team to assist.
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? The Irish Government has removed all countries from Ireland’s COVID-19 “green list.”
What does the change mean? Anyone entering Ireland must restrict their movement for 14 days. Individuals travelling from Northern Ireland are exempt from the requirement to restrict movements or self-isolate.
Analysis & Comments: The Irish government made this decision as part of its efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The government’s general advice still states that non-essential travel is to be avoided at this time. Employers and employees should be aware that this restriction of movement may affect employment start dates should the employee be required to restrict their movement for 14 days in Ireland. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
What is the change? The Irish government has announced that foreign nationals with valid immigration permission that expires between Sept. 20 and Jan. 20, 2021, will be granted an automatic extension to Jan. 20, 2021.
Additional Information: In Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an employment permit to work. For certain nationalities, individuals must then apply for an entry visa to enter Ireland to commence work. Once in Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an Irish Residence Permit to register their permission and reside. This Irish Residence Permit must be renewed in Ireland when appropriate by the non-EEA national.
The recent extension is part of Ireland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and comes after four previous extensions were granted on March 20, May 13, July 16 and Aug. 20. Any permission that was renewed by the four previous extensions and as a result expires during the period from Sept. 20 to Jan. 20, 2021, has also been automatically renewed.
The most recent measure was introduced to allow foreign nationals additional time to renew their permissions prior to Jan. 20, 2021. This ensures that employees retain their permission under the same conditions during this time. It is important to note that foreign nationals will not receive an updated permission as part of this announcement. Those who wish to travel before renewing their residency permission, are encouraged to contact Deloitte before departing Ireland.
Analysis & Comments: All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only. This system has been available since July 20. We are seeing delays in the processing of these applications currently. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
IMPACT – MEDIUM What is the change? The Atypical Working Scheme Unit of the Department of Justice and Equality has introduced a new online platform where the AWS application must now be completed.
Background: The Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) permission is a type of Irish work permission that allows non-EEA nationals to work in Ireland for a short term period of between 15-90 days. Up until now, the hardcopy AWS application form was filed by way of post and the filing fee was paid via electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Analysis & Comments: The AWS short processing times, along with flexibility, has resulted in the permission being used by many companies for short term work authorization in Ireland. We have seen a recent trend by the Department of Justice and Equality to move immigration applications to this online platform.
Deloitte welcomes this change from a paper to an online application form as it should create a streamlined application process. The risk of sending the application and documents by post will now be eliminated, which will create a more reliable submission process, as well as a more environmentally friendly one. It will also allow for a significantly more efficient payment method. Processing times are not expected to change.
Employers should also note that requests for the re-issue of a letter of permission that has expired prior to use, due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, should continue to be submitted by email, not the online platform.
Deloitte can support companies and their employees in applying for the Atypical Working Scheme permission. If you have employees or potential new hires who may be impacted by the above changes, please contact the Deloitte immigration team to assist.
What is the change? Ireland has moved its Passenger Locator Form online. Anyone traveling to Ireland, with limited exceptions, must fill out the form prior to arrival in the country.
Background: Under a previous requirement, anyone entering Ireland (non-EEA, EEA and Irish nationals) had to complete a Passenger Locator Form before arrival. The form has now been moved online and will be used to help with contact tracing in relation to confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.
Additional information: Travelers considered to be essential supply chain workers (e.g., air and ship crew and haulers) or accredited diplomats do not need to fill out the form. Anyone traveling from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland will also have to fill out a portion of the form.
Analysis & Comments: The Irish government has made this decision as part of their efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
IMPACT – HIGH What is the change? The Irish government has announced that foreign nationals with valid immigration permission that expires between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20 will be granted an automatic one-month extension. This comes after the previous three extensions that were implemented on March 20, May 13 and July 16. Any permission that was renewed by these previous notices and now has a new expiry date between Aug. 20 and Sept. 20 is automatically renewed by this notice for a further one month.
This measure has been introduced as a result of the temporary closures of the Burgh Quay Registration Office (BQRO) and IRP registration offices across Ireland, where foreign nationals would be required to register their immigration permission once in Ireland.
Background: In Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an employment permit to work. Certain nationalities must then apply for an entry visa to enter Ireland to commence work. Once in Ireland, all non-EEA nationals must apply for an Irish residence permit to register their permission and reside. This Irish Residence Permission is to be renewed in Ireland when appropriate by the non-EEA national.
The first automatic extension of expiring Irish Residence Permit came into effect on March 20. It was confirmed that a foreign national with valid immigration permission due to expire between March 20 and May 20 would be granted an automatic two-month extension. The second automatic extension of expiring Irish Residence Permit came into effect on May 20, confirming that a foreign national with valid immigration permission due to expire between May 20 and July 20 would be granted an automatic two-month extension. The third extension came into effect on July 20, confirming that a foreign national with valid immigration permission due to expire between July 20 and Aug. 20, would be granted an automatic one-month extension.
Analysis & Comments: The fourth automatic extension of immigration permission for a further one month provides additional certainty to employers and employees whose permission was due to expire. This ensures that employees retain their permission under the same conditions during this time. It is important that employers review their upcoming expiries and update the expiry date by a further month.
The Dublin area Registration Office, located in Burgh Quay, will close temporarily to allow for revised public health guidance to be issued. Appointments that have issued for Aug. 19, 20 and 21 will be rescheduled, and a further announcement in relation to the operation of the registration office will issue before the end of this week.
All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only and the system has been available for all applicants since July 20 at https://inisonline.jahs.ie; renewal applications will continue to be accepted.
Individuals living in the Dublin area that are renewing their residence permission may still apply using the online platform during this time.
If you have employees or potential new hires who may be impacted by the above changes, please contact the Deloitte immigration team to assist. We continue to update our FAQ for employers, found here.
IMPACT – MEDIUM The Irish Government has published a green list of 15 countries and territories. Individuals coming from a country on the green list do not need to self-isolate or restrict movement in Ireland when they arrive from the green-listed country.
Key Points:
Additional information: This change took effect this week. It is anticipated that the green list will be reviewed every two weeks.
Analysis & Comments: Employers should note, that employees entering Ireland from a country that is not on the green list will need to restrict their movement for 14 days and will therefore be unable to work in any location other than their private residence. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.
Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.
The Irish government has announced that foreign nationals with valid immigration permission, which expires between July 20 and Aug. 20, will be granted an automatic one-month extension.
Key points:
Additional information: This one-month automatic extension will allow individuals based in Dublin more time to use the online IRP renewal platform. Anyone whose IRP permission is due to expire in one month and who is based in Dublin may use the online IRP renewal service to review permission and apply for a new IRP card. This platform will be fully available for use after July 20. Individuals will need to be in Ireland to use this online renewal service. Individuals based outside of Dublin will be required to visit their local registration offices. We recommend they contact their local registration office regarding its reopening plans.
Analysis & Comments: The third automatic extension of immigration permission for a further one month is a welcome announcement as it provides certainty to employers and employees whose permission was due to expire. This ensures that employees retain their permission under the same conditions during this time. It is important that employers review their upcoming expiries and update the expiry date by a further month. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.