IIP renewal update: now you can renew your IRP card without travelling to Ireland

In September, Bartra Wealth Advisors received more than 40 renewal permission letters from the Irish government. Each of which will allow our IIP clients to remain in Ireland and continue their new Irish journey. More than 10 groups of families (including IIP clients who have already settled in Ireland or who have recently entered the country) have submitted renewal applications for Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards with the help of our local Landing Services team. However, a frequently asked question from our clients is: if I need to register in person, how can I renew my IRP card during the current travel restrictions?

Image source from Academic Bridge

In the past, it was stated on the government’s website that online renewal applications for the IRP card are only applicable to the investors and family members living in Ireland; for those who are living outside of the country, if they want to apply for a renewal, they need to travel to Ireland and attend an appointment in-person. In view of the global pandemic and travel restrictions, many families would therefore choose to delay their IRP renewal application.

Understanding the difficulty this was causing our clients, Bartra initiated and deliberately asked the Registration Office whether the online IRP card renewal may now apply to the investors who do not live in Ireland. Thankfully, we are pleased to hear back from them, and we can announce that there are indeed some flexibilities:

If you meet the following conditions, you can renew your IRP card without going to Ireland.

1. You have received your renewal permission letter
2. You have landed in Ireland before and applied for an IRP card
3. You have not changed the passport since the first landing and registration
4. (Recommended) The current passport is valid for more than 3 years (otherwise it can only apply for less than 3 years validity period for your IRP card)

It is worth noting that those who have not registered for the first time and provided fingerprints cannot renew their residency permit online.

So, do you meet the above requirements? If you do, congratulations! You can simply register your IRP card renewal online or let us know if you need help. If you do not fulfil the requirements, don’t worry. You can still choose to extend your permit and pick a suitable time to travel to Ireland to apply for the IRP card renewal as well as the Re-entry visa for children under 16 at the registration office with a valid permit letter. Bartra Landing Services team can make appointments for you in advance at your convenience and walk you through the entire process.

Comments: Bartra welcomes this change to the IRP renewals process. This will allow the resumption of IRP renewals, without the need for landing requirements and an in-person appointment.

This removes the challenges of non-EEA nationals in travelling in and out of the country during travel restrictions and in booking an IRP appointment at the Registration Office. It should create more available appointments for first-time registrants. This will be a welcome change given the Covid-19 restrictions.

It may also help with the applications backlog as a result of the earlier office closures and the delays for non-EEA nationals in receiving back their renewal IRP cards or passports.

This change will not affect non-EEA nationals who have not yet registered and received their first IRP card in Ireland; such individuals will still need to book and attend an in-person appointment.

We will keep you updated on any ongoing changes for applications or registrations. Meanwhile, the team is handling the online renewal applications for our local clients.

Bartra Wealth Advisors prides itself on delivering streamlined, in-group, end-to-end services. Its unique business model supports clients throughout their investment and immigration journey, from immigration advisory and government backed IIP projects through to successful investment exits. It maintains a 100% application approval rate and renewal rate.