Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has advised customers renewing their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) online to do so as soon as possible and prior to 31 October 2025, ahead of any Christmas travel.1
WHY THIS MATTERS
The ISD Office in Dublin has published a notice advising non-European Economic Area (non-EEA) nationals with an IRP that is due to expire and who intend to travel over the Christmas holiday period, to submit an online renewal application for their IRP by 31 October 2025.
Due to high processing times, affected non-EEA nationals who do not renew their IRP prior to 31 October 2025, may not receive their renewed IRP in time for Christmas.
Non-EEA nationals should be aware that they must have a valid IRP when travelling back into Ireland, and for visa-required non-EEA nationals, their IRP acts as their re-entry visa.
Key Highlights
- Generally, IRPs can be renewed 12 weeks prior to expiry, and this notice is for those individuals with an upcoming renewal before or during any intended international travel over the Christmas holiday period.
- Extended Processing Times: Currently, ISD is experiencing a high volume of renewal applications, taking three to four weeks to process with a possible further two weeks for new IRP cards to issue by post, resulting in an overall lead-in time of six weeks.
- No Guarantee for Late Applications: ISD cannot guarantee timely processing for applications submitted after 31 October 2025.
- Validity Period: The renewed permission’s validity is based on the current expiry date, regardless of the date a renewal application is submitted or processed.
KPMG INSIGHTS
Employers and/or their immigration services providers may wish to communicate this notice to affected employees as soon as possible and encourage timely online application via the ISD portal. HR and mobility teams may wish to audit upcoming travel plans and expiry dates for non-EEA staff to identify and mitigate potential risks. It may also be advisable to monitor further updates from ISD regarding processing times or alternative arrangements.
If employers have any questions or concerns about this update and appropriate next steps, they should consult with their qualified immigration adviser or a member of the immigration team with KPMG Law in Ireland (see the Contacts section).
FOOTNOTE:
1 Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, “ISD urges customers intending to travel over the coming Christmas holiday period, whose current Irish residence permission will expire, to submit a renewal application” (October 7th, 2025).
Contacts
Elaine Norton
Associate Director, KPMG Law & Corporate Immigration and Employment Law
KPMG in Ireland
Disclaimer
* 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.
© 2025 KPMG, an Irish partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organisation of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.