Deportation of Georgian Nationals
On Friday last, 27 April 2012, in a deportation operation organised through the EU FRONTEX network, 7 persons were removed from Ireland and returned to Georgia.
Deportation of Nigerian Nationals
12 persons were deported from Ireland to Lagos, Nigeria on 18th April 2012 under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999. Ireland was one of a number of EU countries which participated in the deportation operation organised through the EU Frontex Network.
Minister Shatter waives visa requirements for holders of Olympics Accreditation
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D, has announced that his Department will accept the Olympic accreditation document issued by the London Olympics Organising Committee (LOCOG) to competitors, coaches, officials and media representatives in lieu of an Irish visa.The waiver applies to visits to or transit through Ireland for the period leading up to and during the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London this summer.
This initiative further supports the Minister’s objective to restructure the immigration system to encourage and facilitate business and tourism activity. Other such measures include the Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme which has been extended for a further period of four years and the new immigration programmes for investors and entrepreneurs. Read the Minister's Press Release.
Dublin Citizenship Ceremony in April 2012
The next citizenship ceremonies will take place in The Convention Centre Dublin, Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 on Sunday, 01 April 2012.
Some 4000 candidates will attend the ceremonies where they will take an oath of fidelity to the nation, receive their certificate of naturalisation and thereby become Irish citizens.
Minister Shatter announces extension of Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D., today announced Government agreement for the extension of the Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme for a further period of four years. This initiative, introduced for the first time last year, was welcomed as a very positive step in encouraging visitors to Ireland. The programme had originally been due to last until the end of October this year but on consideration of a review of the Programme, the Government agreed to extend its duration.
The Minister also announced the following changes to the Programme;
Bosnia and Herzegovina will be added to the existing list of 16 countries already covered by the Programme;
As a further measure to encourage tourism, the fee for visas will be waived for long-term residents from the countries covered by the Programme who live in the Schengen area. This will be reviewed after six months. Read the Minister's Press Release.
Deportation of Nigerian Nationals
21 persons were deported from Ireland to Lagos, Nigeria on 7th March 2012 under Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999. Ireland was one of a number of EU countries which participated in the deportation operation organised through the EU Frontex Network. A number of deportees had serious criminal convictions for offences including theft, drug possession and supply and violent assault.
Immigration in Ireland 2011 – a year-end snapshot – major changes and more to follow
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, TD, has today published key figures on immigration related activity in Ireland in 2011. He also signalled his broad plans for further significant reforms of the immigration system in 2012. Read the Minister's Press Release.
Ireland-UK agreement to further secure the Common Travel Area
Minister Shatter has signed an agreement with the UK Minister for Immigration reinforcing Ireland and the UK's commitment to preserving the Common Travel Area and to take joint action to tackle immigration abuses. This will include the exchange of information such as fingerprints and biographical details on visa applicants, particularly from high risk countries. Read the Minister's Press Statement. Read the Joint Agreement.
Deportation of Nigerian Nationals
On 14 December 2011, 19 persons were removed from Ireland to Lagos, Nigeria, under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999. Ireland ws one of a number of countries which participated in the deportation operation which was organised therough the EU Frontex Network.
Cork Citizenship Ceremony in December 2011
The next citizenship ceremonies will take place in City Hall, Eglinton Street, Cork on Friday 9th December 2011. 635 candidates will attend the ceremonies where they will take an oath of fidelity to the nation, receive their certificate of naturalisation and thereby become Irish citizens.
Deportation of Pakistan Nationals
On 24 November 2011, 13 persons were removed from Ireland to Pakistan under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 as part of an operation organised through the European Union FRONTEX network.
Application Fee for Citizenship Applications
An application fee for all applications for a Certificate of Naturalisation has been introduced with effect from 10 November 2011.
Read the Minister's Press Release.
Further information is also available through this link to Application Forms and Guidance Notes.
Advance Passenger information
The Minister for Justice , Equality & Defence Alan Shatter T.D. has signed a new law requesting airlines to provide Advance Passenger Information.
This new measure which is aimed at improving border control and combating illegal imigration will be introduced before the end of 2011and will apply to all inbound flights to Ireland from outside the EU. Read the Minister's Press Release.
Immigration and Citizenship Law amended by Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2011
The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2011 was enacted by the Oireachtas on 27 July, 2011 and was signed into law by the President on 3 August, 2011. The new legislation provides for a number of amendments to Immigration and Citizenship law. Read more about the new legislation.
Changes to citizenship application processing announced
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, on 16 June 2011 provided details of a package of measures aimed at reforming the processing of citizenship applications.
The new initiatives which are currently being implemented will mean that, save in exceptional circumstances, persons applying for citizenship will be given a decision on their application within six months. The reforms also include the introduction of a citizenship ceremony which will serve to elevate the status of the granting of Irish citizenship and celebrate a major event in the lives of immigrants.
Read the Minister's Press Release.
Deportation of Georgian Nationals
On 14 June 2011, 13 persons were removed from Ireland to Georgia under section 9 of the Immigration Act 1999 as part of an operation organised through the European Union FRONTEX network. A number of those removed from the State had been convicted of criminal offences by the Irish courts and had served prison sentences.
Holiday and other Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme
Ireland's first formal visa waiver programme came into effect on 1 July 2011.
From 1 July 2011, nationals from 16 countries who obtain a visa to enter the UK for a short term visit and wish to travel from there to Ireland will not require an additional visa for Ireland.
The countries to whom the scheme applies are as follows –
- Eastern Europe: Belarus, Montenegro, Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine
- Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates
- Other Asian: India, Kazakhstan, Peoples Republic of China , Uzbekistan
The programme forms a central part of the new Government’s Tourism policy and Job Creation Initiative.
Read more about the scheme on our Visa Waiver Programme Information Note.
Sham marriages - an abuse of EU freedom of movement rights
Minister Shatter alerts EU Ministers to highly irregular patterns of marriage in Ireland involving EU nationals and third country nationals in the context of the exercise of EU freedom of movement rights.Read the Minister' Press Release.