Updates and announcements 2016

23 December 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD has advanced the preparations for the commencement of the principal provisions of the International Protection Act 2015, providing for the introduction of a single application procedure for people seeking international protection.

The 2015 Act replaces the current sequential asylum application system with a single application process, bringing Ireland into line with the processing arrangements of all other EU Member States.

The commencement of the Act on 31 December, 2016, is the most substantial reform in the international protection application area in two decades to determine certainty of status at an earlier stage for those entitled to seek international protection within the State.

All applications for international protection from 31 December, 2016 will be processed under the new arrangements, by the new Chief International Protection Officer (replacing the Refugee Applications Commissioner) and any appeals arising will be heard by the new International Protection Appeals Tribunal (replacing the Refugee Appeals Tribunal).

Three separate stand-alone provisions relating to immigration and deportation were commenced earlier this year. Further details can be found on the website of the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner at www.orac.ie and from 1 January 2017 at www.ipo.gov.ie.

Download this information notice as it appeared in national newspapers (PDF 420KB)

15 December 2016

Opening Speech by Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration & Integration, David Stanton TD at the EMN Ireland Conference: Responding to the refugee crisis.

Read the Minister's full speech

14 December 2016

The Registration Office at Burgh Quay will close on Friday 23 December 2016 after the last appointments (at 2pm) are complete. Normal business will resume on Tuesday 3rd January 2017 at 8am.

The Re-Entry Visa Office at Burgh Quay will be open from 9am until 12:30pm on Friday 23 December 2016. It will re-open for emergency appointments only from Wednesday 28 December until Friday 30 December (inclusive) from 9am to 12:30pm. Normal business will resume on Tuesday 3rd January 2017 at 8.30am.

Read more about Registration and Re-Entry Visas

13 December 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has informed the Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, that Ireland will meet its migration commitment to Greece in full. This means that including those who have already arrived, Ireland will have welcomed at least 1,100 asylum seekers from Greece by next September. The Tánaiste met the Greek Prime Minister this morning as part of her official visit to Greece with Minister Katherine Zappone.

Read the Minister's press release

29 November 2016

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, today confirmed that she is sending another mission to Lebanon to select a further 260 refugees to come to Ireland.

Read the Minister's press release

15 December 2016

Opening Speech by Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration & Integration, David Stanton TD at the EMN Ireland Conference: Responding to the refugee crisis.

Read the Minister's full speech

14 December 2016

The Registration Office at Burgh Quay will close on Friday 23 December 2016 after the last appointments (at 2pm) are complete. Normal business will resume on Tuesday 3rd January 2017 at 8am.

The Re-Entry Visa Office at Burgh Quay will be open from 9am until 12:30pm on Friday 23 December 2016. It will re-open for emergency appointments only from Wednesday 28 December until Friday 30 December (inclusive) from 9am to 12:30pm. Normal business will resume on Tuesday 3rd January 2017 at 8.30am.

Read more about Registration and Re-Entry Visas

13 December 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has informed the Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, that Ireland will meet its migration commitment to Greece in full. This means that including those who have already arrived, Ireland will have welcomed at least 1,100 asylum seekers from Greece by next September. The Tánaiste met the Greek Prime Minister this morning as part of her official visit to Greece with Minister Katherine Zappone.

Read the Minister's press release

29 November 2016

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, today confirmed that she is sending another mission to Lebanon to select a further 260 refugees to come to Ireland.

Read the Minister's press release

25 November 2016

Speech by An Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD attending Two Citizenship Ceremonies held in the Convention Centre Dublin on Friday 25th November, were 2,000 candidates became citizens.

Read Minister Fitzgerald's speech

24 November 2016

Two Citizenship Ceremonies will be held in the Convention Centre Dublin on Friday 25th November, with some 2,000 candidates becoming citizens.

Date: Friday 25th November 2016

Location: Convention Centre Dublin

Ceremony approximate start times: 10:20, 12:30

For information: The Presiding Officers on the day will be Retired Judge Bryan McMahon and Retired Judge Paddy McMahon. The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, TD, will speak at the first ceremony and Minister for Public and Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe, TD, will speak at the second ceremony.

Filming is permitted within the confines of the auditorium only.

All journalists and photographers should present appropriate NUJ/PPAI ID upon arrival.

02 November 2016

I welcome this opportunity to again address the challenges that have arisen from the biggest displacement of migrants in modern times. Conflict is especially cruel to children. They are not just robbed of their homes, sometimes their families - they are also deprived of their futures.

Read the Minister's full speech

26 October 2016

Topical Issues Statement by Minister of State Dara Murphy on the deportation of an individual whose marriage was confirmed by the HSE.

Read the full details of the statement

21 October 2016

It is coming to that time of year when people are beginning to think of holiday arrangements and possibly travelling overseas for the Christmas and New Year period. This is the busiest time for processing re-entry visas, and we wish to offer advice to our customers when making your arrangements.

Read the full details of the notice

17 October 2016

Speech by the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, before the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality at the launch of the 2nd National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Human Beings.

Read the Minister's full speech

17 October 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, this morning launched Ireland's Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking which contains 65 actions designed to crackdown on individuals and gangs involved in the crime, to support victims, to raise public-awareness, and to enhance training for those likely to encounter victims.

Read the Minister's press release

14 October 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, met with EU colleagues to discuss the migration crisis. She outlined Ireland's progress under the IRPP and commended the work of the Irish Naval Service in saving many lives in the Mediterranean.

14 October 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, today announced an extension to the Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme for a further five years to 31 October 2021.

Read the Minister's press release

05 October 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD and David Stanton TD, Minister of State for Justice with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration, and Integration have outlined the progress on Ireland's commitments on relocation and resettlement programmes.

• Over 550 refugees and asylum seekers have arrived in Ireland this year
• Over 1,300 are scheduled to arrive in 2017
• Greek relocation programme is fully operational

Read the Minister's press release

22 September 2016

A number of INIS customers have been approached via email by a person claiming to be from a legal and immigration company in Ireland. They claim that they have a client company with an offer of employment in Ireland and ask for money to pay for an "International Employment Eligibility Clearance and Security Bond". They also ask for a passport photo, CV and copy of the victim's passport bio-data page.

An application form is attached seeking personal information and employment details. It is claimed that this information is sought by the "Judiciary of the Republic of Ireland" to establish employment eligibility and security clearance.

This application form is false. Both the legal and Immigration company and the client company do not exist. This is an attempted fraud.

Customers are asked to be alert and suspicious of any such offers seeking payment. If someone demands payment of any monies, contact INIS or An Garda Síochána immediately.

See full contact details for INIS

9 September 2016

'I would like to thank the UNHCR and in particular the acting head of Office in Ireland, Enda O'Neill, for inviting me to speak at the beginning of what I am sure will be an interesting and productive conference on refugee sponsorship programmes and student scholarship schemes this morning.'

UNHCR National Conference on Refugee Sponsorship Programmes & Student Scholarship Schemes.

Read Minister Stanton's speech

9 September 2016

Since going live yesterday the new online system for registration appointments at Burgh Quay (Dublin) has attracted very high volumes of traffic. To ensure it remains responsive, it is now being reinforced to maintain performance. To make this change, it must be taken offline and we apologise for this.

Updates will be posted here as the upgrade continues. In the meantime, explore the comprehensive new content on registration also published yesterday.

Read more about how to register with immigration

7 September 2016

An Online Appointment Management System for registrations at the Burgh Quay Immigration Office in Dublin will launch on Thursday 8 September at 11:00am.

The office which deals with the Registration of non-EEA persons living in the Dublin City and County area transferred from the Garda National Immigration Bureau to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) over the course of the summer.

When customers log on to the new system they will be able to make an appointment in a one hour time slot starting from Thursday 15 September.

The previous arrangements whereby people queued for a ticket to be served will cease on that day.

Read the Minister's full press release

02 August 2016

Employment entitlements are changing from 1 September 2016 for non-EEA students holding a valid permission Stamp 2.

They will be permitted to work 40 hours per week during the months of June, July, August and September only - and from 15 December to 15 January inclusive.

At all other times students with Stamp 2 permission will be limited to 20 hours work per week.

Read the details of the student notice

13 July 2016

An online appointment booking system for registering with immigration is on the way. This system will allow you to book an appointment at a time that suits you and means no more queues for tickets.

The system is at an advanced stage and will be launched in the Autumn.

Read a longer description of the new online appointment system

07 July 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD today attended a meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Bratislava. The focus of today's meeting was migration and border controls.

Read the Minister's full press release

07 July 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD is in Bratislava today (Thursday) to attend a two-day meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers at the beginning of the Slovak Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Read the Minister's full press release

06 July 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, today confirmed she will send a selection team to Lebanon to select an additional 260 refugees under the Refugee Resettlement Programme.

Read the Minister's full press release

29 June 2016

Minister of State for Justice with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton TD addressed the House today to respond on behalf of the Government to the Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016, which has been introduced by Senator David Norris.

Read Minister Stanton's speech

23 June 2016

It has come to our attention that some of our customers have been contacted by telephone by a person purporting to be from INIS.

The caller tells the person that they are the subject of a Deportation Order from the authorities in their country of origin and that they face deportation that day. They are told that INIS is acting on behalf of their own Government to recoup an administration payment which will prevent their immediate deportation.

This payment is to be made to an account in their country of origin. The caller I.D. number that displays is a real INIS number and the caller directs people to the website address and indeed the number will appear, on the face of it, to be legitimate.

This is an attempted fraud. INIS does not and will not contact applicants by telephone in relation to any such payments to accounts abroad. INIS does not under any circumstances request payment for its services over the telephone. Furthermore, any persons facing deportation from the State will have been involved in a detailed process and would be notified in writing by registered post in advance of any planned deportation.

Customers are asked to be vigilant. Do not give details of your immigration application or status to telephone callers unless you are sure who they are.

If someone demands payment of any monies, contact INIS or An Garda Síochána immediately.

17 June 2016

Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, Mr David Stanton, TD, gave an address at the Inclusive Centenaries conference at NUI Galway.

Read Minister Stanton's speech

16 June 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD and the Minister of State for Equality, Migration and Integration, David Stanton TD have provided a progress update on the Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and other Supports for Asylum Seekers.

Read the Minister's full press release

15 June 2016

The next Citizenship Ceremony will take place on Monday 19 September at the Convention Centre in Dublin. At the ceremony candidates will take an oath of fidelity to the nation, receive their certificate of naturalisation and thereby become Irish Citizens.

Read more about Citizenship Ceremonies

09 June 2016

Mr David Stanton TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality today addressed the Immigrant Council of Ireland conference - "A Call to Action and Unity: Forming Ireland's Response to the Refugee and Migration Crisis" - which brought together representatives of Government, NGOs and the academic sector.

Read the Minister's full press release

03 June 2016

If you wish to enter Ireland with a child under 18, an immigration officer can ask you to prove your relationship. This is particularly important if the child is not your own son or daughter, has a different surname to you or is part of a group you are responsible for, eg a school tour. This is to help protect vulnerable children.

Read more about travelling to Ireland with children aged under 18

20 May 2016

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, is today attending the Justice and Home Affairs Council at the EU in Brussels. She spoke of Ireland's assistance on the migration crisis.

Read the Minister's full press release

8 April 2016

It has come to our attention that some of our customers have been contacted by telephone by a person purporting to be from INIS.

The caller tells the person that they are the subject of a Deportation Order from the authorities in their country of origin and that they face deportation that day. They are told that INIS is acting on behalf of their own Government to recoup an administration payment which will prevent their immediate deportation.

This payment is to be made to an account in their country of origin. The caller I.D. number that displays is a real INIS number and the caller directs people to the website address and indeed the number will appear, on the face of it, to be legitimate.

This is an attempted fraud. INIS does not and will not contact applicants by telephone in relation to any such payments to accounts abroad. INIS does not under any circumstances request payment for its services over the telephone. Furthermore, any persons facing deportation from the State will have been involved in a detailed process and would be notified in writing by registered post in advance of any planned deportation.

Customers are asked to be vigilant. Do not give details of your immigration application or status to telephone callers unless you are sure who they are.

If someone demands payment of any monies, contact INIS or An Garda Síochána immediately.

7 April 2016

From today, non-EEA students can also use Bankers' Drafts to show they have enough money to support themselves during their initial stay in Ireland. This change will help students who have had problems opening a bank account because they do not yet have a Public Service Number (PPSN). To use this option, the student's banker's draft:

• Must be the original (not a photocopy).
• Must show the student's full name.
• Must show it is for the minimum amount of €3,000.
• Must not be made out to 'cash'.
• A cheque cannot be used as an alternative.

This change has been made by INIS and Garda National Immigration Bureau and will continue until further notice.

23 March 2016

This year marks the centenary of the Easter Rising 2016 and is a very special year in the history of our country. It is a year for all of the people of Ireland; one in which we can all reflect on what it means to be Irish.

Read more about what being Irish means for Ireland's newest citizens

22 March 2016

The Citizenship Ceremony scheduled for Friday 15 April 2016 has been deferred and will now take place on Tuesday 26 April 2016. A letter has issued to all those who are scheduled to attend.

3 March 2016

The Department of Justice and Equality has published 'Immigration in Ireland: Annual Review 2015', which summarises the activities of INIS, the Department and its related agencies across the Immigration and International Protection sphere.

Download the full report here (PDF 1.2MB)

15 February 2016

Following a series of recommendations made by the Government Task Force in December 2015 regarding non-EEA workers in the Irish Fishing Fleet, it has been decided that such crew members working in the “whitefish fleet” will come under the Atypical Working Scheme.

Contracts must be certified by a practicing solicitor as being in compliance with the conditions for the employment of the non-EEA crew members and contracts must be lodged with the Central Depository (CDPA) for Sea-Fishing Boats at the National Seafood Centre, Clonakilty, Co Cork.

For the first three months from date of commencement of the initiative, applications will be confined to crew members who have already been working in the industry in the State. Thereafter all applications under the Atypical Working Scheme in respect of crew members must be made from outside the State.

Read more about the Atypical Working Scheme

04 February 2016

As part of the the 1848 Tricolour Celebrations for 2016 100 applicants for Citizenship will receive their certificates of Nationality at a special ceremony in Waterford City Hall on Friday 4th March. The 100 Applicants have previously been contacted by Citizenship Division and formal invitations will issue shortly.

02 February 2016

The next citizenship ceremonies will take place in The Convention Centre Dublin, Spencer Dock, North Wall Quay, Dublin 1 on Friday 15 April 2016.

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.

25 January 2016

At present, third level non-EEA students graduating with Irish degree awards can avail of an extension of their immigration permission under the The Third Level Graduate Scheme. This scheme allows legally resident non - EEA third level graduates to remain in Ireland for the purposes of seeking employment and applying for a green card or work permit.

The stamp the students receive currently is a Stamp 2.

For the purpose of greater clarity for both students and employers and to distinguish this group from other non- EEA students it has been decided to introduce a new immigration stamp to cater for those who are availing of the scheme.

Read the full details of this new stamp here

4 January 2016

Applicants for re-entry visas are reminded that attendance at the Re-entry Visa Public Office is by appointment only.

If you wish to attend the Public Office in person, you must first make an appointment Online by logging on to http://reentryvisa.inis.gov.ie

A limited number of emergency appointments are available each day. These must be booked Online and are only available in the immediate unforeseen event of a family bereavement or serious illness abroad of a family member, and you must be travelling within the next two days. Documentary evidence is required.

The easiest way to apply for a re-entry visa is by registered post. There is no necessity to attend at the Public Office and INIS urges all applicants to make full use of the postal service insofar as possible. Postal applications should always be the first option and are processed as quickly as possible, usually within 10 working days or so.

You should ensure that the correct documentation is supplied with your application which will help to speed up the process (see website for further information), and allow plenty of time in advance of any travel.