Ireland’s Department of Justice has announced the transfer of responsibility for Irish Residence Permit (IRP) renewals.1
From 4 November 2024, the Garda National Immigration Bureau, responsible for renewal applications for IRPs outside of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork, and Limerick, will transfer its responsibilities to Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). 2
The change to immigration renewals will harmonise renewal applications for non-European Economic Area (EEA) national residents in Ireland regardless of where they live in Ireland and should see a significant reduction in waiting times with some regional offices experiencing seven-month wait times for an appointment.
IRP renewal applicants, immigration advisers, and those employers in charge of the immigration and IRP affairs of their non-EEA employees should take note of this change as it will entail a modification to their usual procedures.
ISD has announced that non-EEA nationals with an IRP due to expire on 4 November onwards, can renew their IRP online from 14 October 2024, regardless of their location in Ireland.
Currently, only residents of Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork, and Limerick are able to renew their IRPs through an online portal. Residents outside of these areas need to book an appointment at their local Garda Immigration Office for their renewal. This will change on 4 November 2024.
Minister McEntee has explained the change around transfer of responsibility in these terms: “… allows Gardaí to focus their time on the more operational and enforcement side of their immigration work, such as investigations and deportations.”3
As a reminder, all IRP holders should make sure they have a valid “in date” IRP when returning to Ireland. For visa-required nationals who do not have a valid IRP, they may be required to apply for an entry visa. (For related coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2024-194, 8 October 2024.)
If employers or employees have questions regarding the process and appropriate next steps, they should contact their usual immigration counsel or a member of the Immigration and Employment Law team with KPMG Law in Ireland (see the Contacts section).
Associate Director, KPMG Law & Corporate Immigration and Employment Law
KPMG in Ireland
1 Department of Justice, Press Release, "Minister McEntee announces the full civilianisation of Irish immigration permission renewals" (last updated 14 October 2024).
2 Department of Justice webpage, "Transfer of all nationwide Renewals to the ISD online portal" (14 October 2024).
At this webpage, users may also find a link to the step-by-step user guide on engaging with ISD services for further information.
3 See footnote 1.
* Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Ireland.
GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
© 2024 KPMG Law LLP, an Irish firm registered with the Law Society of Ireland and authorised by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority pursuant to the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 and governed and licensed by KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
