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Permission to Remain for Non-E.E.A. Nationals

The provisions of this leaflet apply to all non-EEA nationals.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS LEAFLET IS NOT AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A LEGAL DOCUMENT. IT IS PURELY FOR THE INFORMATION OF THOSE TO WHOM IT APPLIES.

E.E.A. (European Economic Area) is comprised of the 25 Member States of the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

  1. What is Permission to Remain?
    Permission to remain in Ireland is a statement of the conditions on which a non-EEA national is permitted to remain in the State and the duration of that permission. It is given on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the form of a stamp (endorsement) in your passport. A residency document – Certificate of Registration - may also be issued for the same period of time as the stamp (endorsement) placed in your passport.
  2. How do I obtain Permission to Remain?
    On arrival in the State you will be given leave to enter the State and permission to remain for a particular purpose and allowed to remain for a period (which may be up to three months). If you wish to remain in the State beyond the period granted by an Immigration Officer on your arrival in the State, you will be required to obtain the permission of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. This can be done by reporting to your local Superintendent's Office, An Garda Síochána (Police) in the District in which you reside. In the Dublin area you must report to the Garda National Immigration Bureau, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

    Visa Required nationals who enter the State on foot of a C Visit Visa cannot have their permission to remain in the State extended. They must leave and reapply from outside the State should they wish to return.
  3. Who requires Permission to Remain ?
    All non-EEA nationals need permission to remain in the State. Permission to remain will be in the form of an endorsement in your passport confirming the conditions and period of time for which you have permission to remain in the State.
  4. What Documentation is required to obtain Permission to Remain?
    You will need to provide the following in connection with your application for permission to remain: (a) valid passport; (b) evidence that you have sufficient funds with which to support yourself and any dependants; (c) any information requested in connection with the purpose of your arrival in the State;


    In addition if you come within one of the following categories you will require certain specific documentation relating to the purpose for which you wish to remain in the State:-

    Student:
    • Letter of registration from college / school verifying the duration / nature of the course or examination;
    • Evidence that the necessary fees have been paid:
    • Evidence that you have sufficient funds to maintain yourself for the period of your proposed stay.
    • Evidence of private medical insurance.

      Employee / Self-Employed:
    • original work permit,
    • original green card permit,
    • original intra-company transfer permit,
    • If operating a business in the State, Business Permission letter from the Minister for Justice, Equality & Law Reform.

      Other: ( e.g. retired person, long term visitor, dependant of person already residing here, etc.) If you are coming to the State and are not economically active (other than a student) but intend to remain for longer than three months in the State, then you must be in a position to show that you have the resources to cover your stay in the State without recourse to public funds, services or State benefits.


      The above is not an exhaustive list, and you may be asked for additional documentation in support of your application.
      Permission to remain will be granted by way of a Stamp (endorsement) in your Passport and a Residence document - Certificate of Registration - may also be issued. Under no circumstances may you engage in activity in the State for which you do not have the appropriate permission. For example, a person with permission to remain as a visitor shall not work. Visa required nationals should ensure when applying for an Irish entry visa that they state the true and precise reasons for their seeking entry to the State.
  5. For what duration can I get Permission to Remain?:
    You will normally be given permission to remain for the duration of your stated purpose in the State. Persons who have been issued with a Work Permit or Green Card Permit will be granted residency up to the expiry date of that permit.
  6. EEA Nationals - If their spouses and dependants are non-EEA nationals, do they need Permission to Remain?:
    Yes. They will require permission to reside here also.
  7. How can I obtain Long Term Residence in Ireland?:
    The following categories of persons may apply for long-term residence permission.

    Persons who have completed 5 years (60 months) legal residence in the State on the basis of work permit conditions ( i.e. 60 months Stamp 1 endorsement in passport) may apply to the General Immigration Division, 3rd Floor, Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 for a 5 year residency extension. If applications are successful persons will be granted an exemption from employment permit requirements.
    Periods of residence in the State for the purpose of study; as a temporary registered doctor, intra-company transfer or holiday working visa do not count for this purpose.
    The following documents together with a covering letter of application clearly indicating the passport endorsements (totalling 60 months) relating to each work permit are required:
    • Copy work permits.
    • Copy Certificate of Registration (GNIB Card)
    • Clear and legible copy passport including all endorsements (If your passport has expired since arrival in the State, please submit copies of both passports
      Applicants are also advised to keep their permission to remain up to date at all times (including while their application is being processed.)
  8. How can I Renew my Permission to Remain?
    Your permission to remain in the State should never be allowed to lapse and the onus is on you to ensure that this does not happen. You should apply to the Registration Officer responsible for the area in which you reside in good time to have your permission to remain in the State extended. You will be required to submit documentation relating to your reasons for seeking further permission to remain i.e. work permit holder must submit a new work permit, and evidence of employment.
  9. What if I am refused Permission to Remain?
    If you are refused permission to remain in the State you will be informed of the reasons for this and given the opportunity to leave the State voluntarily within a specified period. Failure to depart voluntarily may result in you being subject to deportation.

Some Useful Addresses and Telephone Numbers

Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service,
13/14 Burgh Quay
Dublin 2 01-6167700
Lo Call: 1890 551 500
Website: www.inis.gov.ie

For Visa queries, press 1. For Citizenship queries, press 2. For All Other queries, press 3."

Visa Application enquiries are taken on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10.00am and 12.30pm.
Visa decisions can also be checked, if you have the visa reference number, under Visa Decisions.

Enquiries regarding Marriage to an Irish National, Business Permission, Travel Documents, Foreign Adoptions, or EEA Residence Permits can be made by selecting Option 3 and then Option 2

This helpline is open from 10am to 12.30pm each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, excluding Bank and Public Holidays. Telephone queries can only be answered during these times.

Enquiries regarding Marriage to an EU National, Change of Status, Refugees applying for Family Members to join them, Long Term Residency, Dual Nationality or Change of Name can be made by selecting Option 3 and then Option 3.

This helpline is open from 10am to 12.30pm and from 2pm to 4pm each Monday, Wednesday and Friday, excluding Bank and Public Holidays.
Telephone queries can only be answered during these times.
You may also contact us by e-mail, at immigrationmail@justice.ie

Garda National Immigration Bureau
13/14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2
01-6669100

Visa Office Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service
13/14 Burgh Quay Dublin 2 Lo-call 1890 551 500 Monday, Wednesday & Friday excluding Public Holidays
Helpline available 10:00am to 12:30pm
Email: visamail@justice.ie

Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment
Davitt House
Adelaide Road
Dublin 2 01-6614444
Website: www.entemp.ie
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