In June 2022, Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) suspended re-entry visa requirements for minors under 16 years of age with immediate effect and until further notice.1 ISD has now confirmed that this suspension will remain in place, until further notice.2
Children under 16 are not issued Irish Residence Permits (IRP) cards (for prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2022-125, 22 June 2022). Prior to June 2022, visa-required children residing with their parents in Ireland had to apply for a re-entry visa to allow them to travel back into the country after any period of departure.
Since the suspension in June of re-entry visas for children under 16, the visa-required children who wish to re-enter Ireland must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has legal permission to reside in Ireland. The adult accompanying the child must provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the child’s legal parent or guardian.