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Minister McEntee announces further temporary extension of immigration permissions

  • For permissions due to expire between 21 January 2021 and 20 April 2021
  • Applies to people with permission extended under previous notices
  • For permissions registered by the Immigration Service and An Garda Síochána
  • Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Burgh Quay Registration Office will close on 23 December

The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, T.D., has today announced a further temporary extension of immigration and international protection permissions to 20 April 2021. This applies to permissions that are due to expire between 21 January 2021 and 20 April 2021. 

Announcing the measure, Minister McEntee said,

“This Christmas, because of COVID-19 and public health guidelines, many in ourmigrant communities will be unable to visit their loved ones back home or may fear they will lose their current immigration permission because of the potential impact of restrictions on immigration services. What is traditionally a time of joy and celebration may instead be a cause of worry and stress.”

“While I cannot change the circumstances caused by the pandemic, I can remove a small measure of that worry by ensuring that immigrants’ legal status in this country continues to be maintained. To do this, I am introducing a further automatic extension to 20 April 2021 for anyone already holding a valid permission.” 

“This extension will benefit those who cannot get an appointment to register or renew an existing permission. However, I encourage anyone who can renew, particularly Dublin-based customers who can use the online system, to do so and not to wait until April.”

This is the sixth, and expected to be the final, extension of permissions implemented since the outset of the pandemic. Tens of thousands of people will benefit from this measure. Renewal is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions will continue to apply.

As a result of the new COVID-19 measures announced by Government today, on health and safety grounds the Burgh Quay Registration Office will close tomorrow, 23 December. Customers with appointments for first time registrations are being contacted directly by the Immigration Service and they will be prioritised for appointments once the Public Office can safely reopen. We thank our customers for their understanding and patience during this difficult time.