The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, TD, announced on 17th December 2021 a further temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions to 31 May 2022.

Applies to permissions due to expire between 15 January 2022 and 31 May 2022

• Extension applies to people with permissions extended under previous notices
• For permissions registered by the Immigration Service in Dublin and An Garda Síochána nationwide

This applies to permissions that are due to expire between 15 January 2022 and 31 May 2022 and includes permissions that have already been extended by the previous eight temporary extensions since March 2020.

Everyone who is covered by this temporary extension should either register or renew their permission by 31 May 2022 to ensure that they have a qualifying permission to remain in the State after that date, if that is their intention.

This temporary extension of immigration permissions means that people who held a valid permission to be in the State in March 2020 are legally permitted to remain until 31 May 2022, even if their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card has expired and they are awaiting a new one. Renewal is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions will continue to apply. Special arrangements continue to apply for international students, including English language students.

Those who are entitled to receive a new IRP card may continue to use their current expired card to enable them to depart from and return to Ireland in confidence over Christmas and until 15 January 2022.

Adult customers who plan to travel abroad beyond 15 January 2022 should apply to renew their immigration permission and receive a new IRP card. Otherwise, they must secure a re-entry visa in Ireland before travelling or in an overseas visa office before returning.

The current suspension of the re-entry visa requirement for any minors already residing in Ireland and travelling with a legally resident parent will continue in line with the new extension until 31 May 2022.

The public registration office in Burgh Quay is open for appointments and Dublin-based customers can renew a permission online.

Dublin-based customers who have a new passport and who wish to renew an immigration permission will be able to upload their passport biodata page online instead of attending the Registration Office in Burgh Quay.

To help meet the existing demand for first-time registration appointments in the Dublin region, the Department is introducing a new Freephone telephone booking system in January to ensure those who need an appointment can access one. A new online booking system will also be launched early in 2022.

Renewals outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau through the Garda Station network. Information on the contact details for all the registration offices outside Dublin is available at: www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory

International students

International English Language Students who have already completed the maximum number of three language courses may continue to work in line with the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) criteria until May 31 2022 without enrolling in a further English language course.

However, they must register for a new qualifying immigration permission by 31 May 2022 to ensure they can remain in the State after that date.