The Department of Justice and Equality released a supplemental FAQ document regarding the impact of Covid-19 on Immigration and International Protection on the 13th of May 2020.
The most important information contained in the update relates to Immigration and International Protection permissions expiring between 20th March 2020 and 20th July 2020.
Individuals whose immigration permission is expiring between these dates, is now eligible for a further two-month extension of their current immigration permission, and for some individuals this means a further 2-month extension on top of the previous extension.
For example, a person whose immigration permission expired on the 1st of April 2020 was previously eligible for an automatic two- month extension which would be expiring on the 1st of June 2020. Such persons are now eligible for a further two-month extension of their immigration permission which will now expire on the 1st August 2020 pursuant to the same terms and conditions as the original grant of permission.
In relation to individual’s resident in the state pursuant to the Free Movement of Persons Directive (2004/38/EC), the renewal is subject to the requirements that they are resident in compliance with the terms of the Directive at all times.
The registration offices including the Garda National Immigration Bureau at Burgh Quay and all other local immigration offices around the country will remain closed until further notice.
The announcement is an extremely welcomed update in circumstances where many people were anxious to know the position regarding renewals and extensions of immigration permission post 20th of May.
We have many clients who are here on visitor and other temporary immigration permissions who are unable to return to their own countries or other destinations due to travel restrictions around the world, so the current notice is most welcomed to provide some certainty to their immigration status in the coming months.
Similarly, the notice provides clarity to Irish residents whose immigration permission has expired or is expiring prior to 20 May to enable them to continue to work, to build up their reckonable residency towards applying for Irish citizenship and other matters.
Of course, it is not yet known whether it will be possible to resume normal business by 20 July and should this not be possible the ISD confirm that a further extension of permission may need to be facilitated at that point.
Sinnott Solicitors will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide further updates when announced.
If you have any queries on your immigration status or any Irish immigration matter, do not hesitate to contact our office on 0035314062862 or info@sinnott.ie and we would be happy to answer any of your queries.
