In a major relief for thousands of international residents, the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) has announced an extension to the “Travel Confirmation Notice.” This arrangement, which was originally intended to cover the Christmas and New Year period, will now remain in place until February 28, 2026.
Why the Extension?
The Irish government is currently dealing with a significant backlog in processing registration renewals. Even after an application is successfully processed, it can take up to two additional weeks for the physical Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card to arrive in the mail. Many residents found themselves in a difficult position: they had legally applied for their renewals, but their old cards had expired while they were still waiting for the new ones.
Who is Eligible?
This notice is specifically for non-EEA nationals who:
- Are legally resident in Ireland.
- Have submitted an application to renew their IRP before their current card expired.
- Are waiting for their new physical card to arrive.
Important Note:
If you waited until after your card expired to submit your renewal application, this notice does not apply to you. In such cases, you are technically “out of permission” and could face issues at the border.
How to Travel Safely
If you plan to travel outside Ireland and return before February 28, 2026, using an expired IRP card, you must carry three specific items to show to airlines and immigration officers:
- Your Expired IRP Card: The physical card that has recently passed its expiry date.
- Proof of Renewal: A printed copy of the email confirmation from ISD. This must clearly show your OREG number and the date you applied (which must be before the card expired).
- The Travel Confirmation Notice: You must download and print the official letter from the ISD website. This letter explains the government’s policy to airlines and foreign authorities.
Visa-Required vs. Non-Visa Required Nationals
For people from countries that do not require a visa to enter Ireland (like Brazil or South Korea), the process is straightforward. However, if you are from a country that does require a visa (like India, Pakistan, or China), there are extra rules:
- If you have a valid, multi-entry visa in your passport, you are cleared to travel.
- If you have a single-entry visa and have already used it to enter Ireland, you may still need a re-entry visa if you don’t have a valid IRP card.
Transit Through Other Countries
A huge word of warning: while the Irish government has informed airlines and foreign missions about this rule, third countries (like France, Germany, or the UK) are not bound by Irish law. If your flight has a layover in another country, that country’s immigration officers might still require you to have a valid, in-date residence permit or a transit visa. Travelers are advised to check the requirements of every country they pass through.
Emergency Travel
If you have an absolute emergency and cannot wait for the standard process, you can contact the Registration Office directly. You should mark your query as “Urgent Travel” and provide proof, such as a flight ticket, to have your application prioritized.
