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Foreign nationals with immigration stamps expiring in the coming weeks will be able to stay in Ireland until at least January 20, 2021 under the latest temporary government extension in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced Friday that a fifth extension to the immigration permit had been introduced to provide certainty to anyone concerned about their immigration status being outdated.
The Justice Department has said it expects this to be the final extension of immigration permits for foreign nationals. The first extension was announced in March, shortly after the country was locked, and additional extensions were announced in May, July and August.
Ms McEntee said the four-month extension, which applies to people on extended leave under previous notices, would give non-EEA citizens the time to make arrangements online with Dublin immigration services or at person with Garda stations outside of Dublin to ensure renewal. of your registry.
“You can do it without the added worry of not getting the permit in the meantime through no fault of your own,” the minister said. “I encourage you to do it as soon as possible.”
Three categories of foreign nationals will be able to use the extension period: those who currently have a valid permit to be in Ireland but need to renew it; those who came to the state in the last three months and are awaiting their first immigration registration appointment, and those who had been granted a three-month permit (a short-term visa) to stay in Ireland but are unable to leave the status due to uncertainties caused by the pandemic.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to benefit from the latest extension. However, some foreign nationals have criticized the government for the time it is taking to renew their Irish residence permit.
In July, a new online system was launched that allows all foreigners living in the capital to renew their permit to reside here through an online form. The justice minister said the system would make stamp renewals “easier and faster” as people would no longer have to attend appointments in the city center. However, applicants say delays in the new online system continue to cause stress and concern among foreign nationals.
The online system is not available to people living outside of Dublin and applicants must appear in person at their local Garda station.
The Irish Immigration and Naturalization Service at Burgh Quay in Dublin 2, which closed in March in response to the spread of the virus, reopened in August for immigration records for the first time by appointment.
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