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Minister Flanagan announces further temporary extension of immigration permissions

• Extension of immigration permissions due to expire between 20 May 2020 and 20 July
• Applies to those permissions already extended under previous notice
• Legal status of people with valid immigration permissions to be maintained


The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan, T.D., has today announced that immigration permissions, due to expire between 20 May and 20 July 2020, will be automatically extended for two months.

This includes people in Ireland on short stay visas and those whose permissions have already been extended by the previous notice issued on 20th March, 2020.

Commenting on these measures, Minister Flanagan reassured those who are worried about their status in the State, saying:



I want to reassure people whose immigration permissions are due to expire shortly that your legal status in the country will continue to be maintained.

If your immigration or international protection permission will expire between 20 May 2020 and 20 July 2020, I am granting a further automatic renewal for two months. Again, this renewal is on the same basis as your existing permission, and the same conditions will continue to apply.

We will continue to keep the situation under active review as matters evolve in our national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.



For international English Language Students, the extension means that they may continue to work if they wish, but must also re-enrol in an on-line course of study to adhere to the conditions of their permission. Officials from the Department of Justice and Equality have engaged with MEI (Marketing English in Ireland), the representative body for the majority of language schools in Ireland. They have confirmed that most colleges are now offering on-line courses, and students should contact their college directly to make any necessary arrangements.

The registration office in Burgh Quay in Dublin will remain closed and will only reopen when it is safe to do so, in line with Government’s Roadmap. High-demand public offices make applying social and physical distancing more difficult.

When the Registration Office reopens, priority will be given to those seeking to register for the first time. Those applicants for first time registration who had previous appointments cancelled will have their appointments rescheduled automatically. Other appointments will be made available exclusively for other first time applicants.

Immigration Service Delivery is also considering alternative arrangements for the renewal of registrations. Initially, priority will be given to those whose Immigration Residence Permission card has expired. Further updates will be provided on our website, www.inis.gov.ie, once arrangements are in place.

These further extensions will apply to the same 3 primary categories of persons as before, whose permissions are due to expire between 20 May 2020 and 20 July 2020:

1. Renewal of existing permissions / registrations

Persons who hold a current valid permission, or a permission that has already been extended under the previous notice.

2. Awaiting first registration

Persons granted permission to land at a port of entry on condition they register at Burgh Quay or their local AGS registration office within 3 months but who have yet to do so.

3. Short stay visas

Those in the country on foot of a short stay visa and who have been granted permission to remain for less than 3 months who may be unable to leave the State and return home due to uncertainties caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.