Ireland allows foreign residents to travel with expired residence cards until August 2026

Ireland has introduced a temporary measure to allow eligible foreign residents to travel internationally using recently expired Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards until August 31, 2026. This decision aims to alleviate issues caused by a significant backlog in the renewal of residence permits.

The initiative, announced by Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy, specifically assists non-European Economic Area nationals who are legally residing in Ireland and are awaiting the processing of their IRP renewal applications. The Department of Justice highlighted that the Immigration Services Registration Office at Burgh Quay in Dublin is experiencing a high volume of applications, leading to processing times exceeding 17 weeks for certain categories.

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The Immigration Services Registration Office Burgh Quay, Dublin, is currently experiencing a very large volume of applications with a current processing time to renew an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card in excess of 17 weeks for some categories.

To facilitate travel during the busy summer period, individuals whose IRP cards have recently expired but who submitted renewal applications before the expiry date will be permitted to travel. The Travel Confirmation Notice issued by the Minister instructs carriers to allow these individuals to travel using their expired IRP cards.

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To facilitate Non EEA Nationals legally resident in the State who are required to renew their current permission and who wish to travel internationally during the summer period, the Minister is issuing a Travel Confirmation Notice requesting carriers to allow individuals to travel on their recently expired IRP card where an application to renew their permission was submitted in advance of the expiry date of their IRP card.

This arrangement is effective from July 13 and will continue until August 31, 2026. The Department of Justice advises travelers to print and carry the Travel Confirmation Notice, their expired IRP card, and proof of their submitted renewal application. It is also recommended that travelers contact their airlines in advance to confirm recognition of this temporary measure.

Travelers transiting through third countries are particularly urged to verify whether the temporary arrangement will be recognized by transit countries' immigration authorities. The measure seeks to provide a practical solution for residents needing to travel while the immigration services work through the application backlog.

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Non-EEA Nationals in the State who are required to apply for a renewal of their IRP card may use their current recently expired IRP card to enable them to travel in confidence from 13 July 2026 to 31 August 2026, provided an application to renew their registration permission was submitted in advance of the expiry date of their IRP Card.