Global immigration firm Fragomen has confirmed that the Department of Justice has prolonged its interim policy allowing people with pending Irish Residence Permit (IRP) renewals to keep working and travelling lawfully until 31 August 2026. The extension aligns with ISD’s summer Travel Confirmation Notice and formalises the status of affected employees in the eyes of employers, banks and public bodies. Under the scheme, an applicant who files an online renewal before their IRP expires is deemed to hold continuing permission until a decision is made. Employers may rely on the online acknowledgement letter as evidence of the person’s right to work, thereby avoiding the need for contract suspensions or unpaid leave. The Department has also reiterated that the standard 12-week notification period – during which an employee can remain on payroll while renewal is pending – will be reinstated after 31 August. The renewed measures come as registration offices struggle with record demand. According to Fragomen’s Dublin practice, some clients have been waiting up to five months for card production, largely because of biometric equipment shortages and a surge in EU-family applications. The extension therefore gives corporate mobility teams clarity for the remainder of the peak travel season. Companies are advised to download and retain copies of both the Travel Confirmation Notice and the interim employer guidance in personnel files. Where staff must visit third countries that do not recognise Ireland’s notice, employers should explore obtaining a re-entry visa or postponing travel. Looking ahead, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is exploring the integration of residence data with the Employment Permit Online System (EPOS) to enable automatic right-to-work verifications – a change that would significantly reduce the need for future stop-gap measures.
Source: Fragomen
