Ireland Issues Temporary Travel Flexibility for Foreign Nationals Awaiting IRP Renewals

Key Point  

• Ireland will temporarily allow eligible non-EEA residents with recently expired Irish Residence Permit cards to travel using a Travel Confirmation Notice while renewal applications remain pending.  

Temporary Travel for Irish Residence Permit Card Holders 

On 13 July 2026, Minister Colm Brophy announced a temporary travel facilitation measure for non-EEA nationals legally residing in Ireland who are awaiting renewal of their Irish Residence Permit (IRP). The measure was introduced in response to significant processing delays at the Immigration Services Registration Office (ISRO) in Dublin, where some IRP renewal applications are currently taking more than 17 weeks to process.  

The initiative is intended to assist individuals who need to travel internationally during the summer months while their renewal applications are pending. 

Temporary Travel Arrangement 

Under the temporary policy: 

• Eligible non-EEA nationals may travel using a recently expired IRP card.  
• Individuals must have submitted their IRP renewal application before the expiration date of their current IRP card.  
• Travelers must also carry a Travel Confirmation Notice issued by the Department.  

The arrangement is valid from 13 July 2026 through 31 August 2026.  

Eligibility Requirements 

To benefit from the temporary travel concession, individuals must: 

• Be a non-EEA national legally resident in Ireland.  
• Have submitted an IRP renewal application before their current IRP card expired. 
• Carry:  
  • Their recently expired IRP card; 
  • The Travel Confirmation Notice; and 
  • Proof that the renewal application was submitted, such as the application confirmation email showing the submission date.  

Important Travel Considerations 

The Department has advised travelers to: 

• Download, print and carry the Travel Confirmation Notice when traveling.  
• Contact airlines before departure to confirm they recognize the temporary travel arrangement.  
• Verify any transit requirements if traveling through a third country, as other jurisdictions may not accept the Travel Confirmation Notice for transit purposes.  

The Department stated that airlines and foreign missions will be notified of the temporary measure. 

Additional Insights  

This temporary measure addresses ongoing delays in IRP renewal processing and allows eligible non-EEA residents to travel using a recently expired IRP and a Travel Confirmation Notice through August 31, 2026. 

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