Registration of non-EEA nationals
- Introduction
- Who has to register with immigration?
- How to apply for an Irish Residence Permit
- How to renew your Irish Residence Permit
- Travelling abroad
- Immigration stamps
- Contacts
Introduction
If you are not a citizen of the European Economic Area (EEA), the United Kingdom or Switzerland, you need permission to enter Ireland. If you want to stay for more than 3 months you must have permission to remain and register your presence in Ireland with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD). This is how you get an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
Who has to register with immigration?
You must register if you plan to stay in Ireland for over 3 months and you:
- Are 16 or over
- Are a citizen of a country outside the EEA (this is the EU and Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein), Switzerland and the UK
- Have received permission to remain in Ireland
If you are living in Ireland already and are about to turn 16, you must register with ISD.
People who have recently arrived from Ukraine
The Department of Justice has started to issue Irish Resident Permit (IRP) cards to beneficiaries of the EU Temporary Protection Directive.
You can read about coming to Ireland from Ukraine.
Permission to remain
You may have already applied to ISD for permission to remain in the State and received a letter granting your permission. This could be because you have:
- Refugee or subsidiary protection status following an application for international protection
- Leave to remain following an application for international protection
- Permission to remain in Ireland as the family member of an EEA national
- Permission to remain in Ireland as the family member of an Irish citizen
- Permission to remain as the parent of an Irish citizen child
- Any other permission to remain that was made by application while you were in Ireland
You should bring the letter you got from ISD with you when you go to register.
‘D’ or long stay visa holders
If you have recently come to Ireland on a ‘D’ (long stay) visa, or you are a citizen of a country that does not require an entry visa (non-visa required), you can register with ISD without making a written application in advance. This could be because you are:
- Joining a family member who has international protection in Ireland (family reunification)
- Joining or moving to Ireland with your Irish spouse or family member
- Joining or moving to Ireland with your dependant Irish family member
- An international student
- On a working holiday visa
- Moving to Ireland with an employment permit
How to apply for an Irish Residence Permit
As soon as possible following your arrival in Ireland, you should call or email your immigration registration office for an appointment to register.
If you live in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Limerick, Meath or Wicklow you must book an appointment to register at the Burgh Quay Registration Office. To book an appointment at Burgh Quay Registration Office, you can use the online customer portal or phone 1800 800630. The Freephone number is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
To make an appointment you will need your passport and a valid email address. ISD will email you the date, time and location of your appointment, and a unique appointment confirmation number which you will need when you attend your appointment.
What must I bring?
The documents you need will depend on the immigration permission you are applying for. You can find out the documents you will need to register with immigration in Ireland on the ISD website.
How much does it cost?
You must pay a fee of €300 for your Irish Residence Permit (IRP). Your IRP is free if you:
- Have refugee status
- Have subsidiary protection status
- Have leave to remain under Section 49 of the International Protection Act 2015
- Are under 18
- Are resident based on your marriage to an Irish citizen
- Are a family member of an EU citizen
What happens after I register?
Following registration with immigration officials, you will be issued with an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) by post.
You must carry your card with you at all times and show it to an immigration officer or the Garda Síochána if requested.
If you change your address, or change your name, you should email immigrationsupport@justice.ie.
How to renew your Irish Residence Permit
Online renewals
You can renew your permission online.
You must have less than 12 weeks left on your current permission before you can use the online renewal system.
Your IRP card will be posted to you.
The ISD website provides a live update on processing times for renewal applications.
To renew your IRP online, you should:
- Complete the online registration form
- Scan and upload your documents
- Pay the fee
- Get a reference number (by email)
You must scan and upload the following documents when you are applying:
- Biometric page of your current passport (the photo page)
- Front and back of your current IRP
You should also upload documents that show that you are satisfying your immigration conditions. This depends on your situation, and may include:
- Evidence that you are supporting your Irish citizen child
- Proof that you have paid your college fees, have met the attendance requirements and are enrolled in a college course
- Proof that you are living with your spouse or partner (if applying based on your relationship with them)
- Your employment permit
You can read a full list of documents on the ISD website.
IRP card for Christmas travel
If you need an IRP card to travel over the Christmas holiday period and your current permission is about to expire, you should submit a renewal application online as soon as possible and no later than 31 October 2024.
Travelling abroad
Non-EEA nationals who wish to travel abroad must have a valid IRP card to re-enter Ireland. A soft copy of your IRP card is not acceptable for travel.
If you want to travel abroad, you should contact the country that you are travelling to and find out about their requirements, such as the required immigration permission and documentation.
Immigration stamps
As well as your Irish Residence Permit (IRP), you will also receive a stamp in your passport, which specifies the duration and the conditions of your permission to remain in Ireland. If you are renewing online, you will not receive a stamp in your passport.
The following table lists the different types of stamp issued to non-EEA nationals:
Different types of stamp issued to non-EEA nationals
|
Stamp number |
Issued to |
|
0 |
People with permission to remain in Ireland for a specific, temporary and limited purpose, for example: Retired people of independent means Elderly dependent relatives of people living in Ireland |
|
1 |
People who have received an employment permit, a working holiday authorisation or permission to open a business
|
|
1H |
|
|
1A |
|
|
1G |
Graduates who are permitted to remain under the Third Level Graduate Scheme Spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders Spouses and partners of doctors who have Stamp 1H or Stamp 4 Spouse or partner of a General Employment Permit or an Intra-Corporate Transferee (ICT) permit |
|
2 |
Students who are attending a recognised full-time course of at least one year. They are permitted to work for 20 hours a week during term time and full time during holidays. |
|
2A |
Students who are attending a course not on the list of eligible courses for a student visa (including private secondary schools). They are not permitted to work. |
|
3 |
People who are not permitted to work. This includes: Ministers of religion and members of religious orders Spouses, civil partners and dependants of certain employment permit holders. |
|
4 |
People who can work without an employment permit. This includes: People granted international protection (refugee status or subsidiary protection) People granted leave to remain following an appeal of a 'notification of intention to deport' under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, or following a refusal of an application for international protection Parents of an Irish citizen child People who have been granted long term residency People who have completed 57 months on a General Employment Permit People who have completed 21 months on a Stamp 1 or 1H permission on the basis of a Critical Skills Employment Permit, Hosting Agreement as a Researcher or a Multi-Site General Employment Permit as a Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor |
|
4D |
Family members of UK citizens who were granted residence after 1 January 2021 |
|
4S |
People who received permission to remain as ‘timed out students’. This scheme closed in January 2019 |
|
4 (EU FAM) |
Family members of EU nationals who have exercised their right to move to and live in Ireland. They do not need an employment permit or business permission to work. |
|
5 |
People who have permission to remain without any time conditions.
|
|
6 |
People who are dual citizens and ask for an endorsement in their non-Irish passport |
Contacts
Contact your local immigration registration office.
If you are living in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Limerick, Meath or Wicklow contact: