Extension of immigration permissions due to expire between 20 July 2020 and 20 August
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, Helen McEntee, T.D., has today announced that immigration permissions, due to expire between 20 July and 20 August 2020, will be automatically extended for one month.
This includes people in Ireland on short stay visas and those whose permissions have already been extended by the previous notices issued on 20 March and 13 May 2020.
Commenting on these measures, Minister McEntee reassured those who may be 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 July 2020 and 20 August 2020, I am granting a further automatic renewal for one month. Again, this renewal is on the same basis as your existing permission, and the same conditions will continue to apply.
It is intended this will be the final temporary extension of immigration permission, however 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. Failure to re-enrol in a course of study may result in a subsequent application to register being refused. Students based in Dublin are also reminded that registration renewals are now available online and they are now required to register even where their permission has been extended.
The Registration Office in Burgh Quay in Dublin will reopen on 20 July for first time registrations on an appointment only basis. 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.
As announced by Minister McEntee last week (7 July), all renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only and the system will be available for all Dublin based applicants from 20 July 2020 at https://inisonline.jahs.ie. This will make the process of registration renewals easier for thousands of people every year, and significantly reduce the number of people who need to attend the Burgh Quay Registration Office in person.
Please also note that all Registration Offices for non-Dublin residents operated by An Garda Síochána have temporarily closed and applicants should check with their local office for details on reopening.
These further extensions will apply to the same 3 primary categories of persons as before, whose permissions are due to expire between 20 July 2020 and 20 August 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(s).
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.
Notes for Editors
- Minister McEntee will automatically renew all immigration and international protection (asylum) permissions, which are due to expire between 20 July 2020 and 20 August 2020 for 1 month. Renewals are on the same basis as existing permissions and the same conditions will continue to apply. For existing permissions granted under the EU Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC), the automatic renewal is subject to the requirement that the person is continuing to comply with the requirements of the Directive.
- While it is intended this temporary extension will be the final one to issue, if events alter in respect of COVID-19 and it is in the best interest of our customers, staff and members of the public to further extend this temporary notice, this may occur. However, if the current phased re-opening continues it is intended that no further extension will be required.
· For students, this means that they will continue to be able to work if they so wish, but they must also be enrolled in a course of study to adhere to the conditions of their permission. Failure to re-enrol in a course of study may result in a subsequent application to register being refused.
- To ensure consistency across the system, these new measures will also apply to immigration registrations and renewals that take place outside of Dublin in local Garda Stations by the local Immigration Officers.
- This measure will preserve the legal status of people with permissions about to expire in the coming period. The requirement to register will not arise until Burgh Quay (and other Immigration offices) re-open or alternative arrangements may be put in place.
- Approximately 450 registration appointments are usually issued for the Office in Burgh Quay each day.
- Typically immigration permissions are renewed on an annual basis and are then required to be registered. In 2019, Immigration Service Delivery in the Department of Justice and Equality registered over 100,000 permissions/registrations and Registration offices in other Districts where the District Officer is the Registration Officer processed over 85,000 registrations/renewals.
- This is an ongoing requirement and in the event of an inability to renew existing valid immigration permissions, over 2,000 people per week could find themselves without a lawful permission to remain in the state.
· All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only and the system will be available for all Dublin based applicants from 20 July 2020 at https://inisonline.jahs.ie