Effective 13 May 2019, Ireland has abolished adult re-entry visas for those who hold Irish residence permits (IRP/GNIB) card.
The Department of Justice said , improvements in security in the Irish registration certificate, the Irish Residence Permit, has made it possible to eliminate the need for re-entry visas, without compromising the safety and security of the visa or immigration system. The IRP card is in the standard EU format for residence permits, and is recognised by airlines.
The abolition of the re-entry visa system removes an administrative burden from visa required nationals who live in Ireland and who hold an Irish Residence Permit. They will no longer have to submit their passport to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service for processing, and will no longer have to pay the re-entry visa fee.
Minister Flanagan said: “I am delighted to announce the abolition of the re-entry visa system. Visa required nationals will now be able to use their Irish residence permit or GNIB card to prove to airlines and immigration officials that they have a right to travel to Ireland. This will save over 40,000 people annually both time and money. I am committed to improving customer service in the immigration service and today’s decision is the first of a series of improvements which I intend to announce over the coming year.”
Re-entry visas required
Re-entry visas required for those traveling before May 13, 2019 and also those nationals who do not hold an IRP/GNIB card will continue to require a valid visa, which must be applied for from outside the State.
- Minors. Under 16 year olds are not issued with an IRP/GNIB card. Their parents or guardians will be able to apply for a re-entry visa for them, to ensure that they can travel in and out of Ireland while living here. This re-entry visa can be applied for when living in Ireland (all other visas must be applied for from outside the State).
- Intending residents. The Irish Residence Permit is issued to non-EEA nationals who have a permission to reside in the State for more than 90 days. It can take some weeks to get a registration appointment, and up to 2 weeks for an IRP card to be produced following registration. Visa required nationals who intend to travel in and out of Ireland during the first four months of their planned stay should apply for a multiple entry visa, which will allow them to travel into Ireland multiple times in a given period, before their IRP card is issued.
- Diplomats or other accredited members of staff at an Embassy (Administrative and Technical Staff / Service Staff / Private Domestic Employee) posted to Ireland must continue to apply for a re-entry visa following arrival in the State. Applications should be made via the Protocol Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Read the announcement here
