On 16 July 2026 the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) issued an interim notice clarifying that non-EEA nationals whose Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards have expired may continue living and working in Ireland until 31 August 2026, provided they filed a renewal application before the card lapsed. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) has circulated the update to employers, warning that dismissals based on an expired card during the grace window could trigger unfair-dismissal claims. Under the notice, employees may prove lawful status by presenting either the online renewal receipt with the unique OREG reference or the follow-up confirmation email. The policy covers all permission categories, independent of how long the card has been out of date, so long as the application is active. ISD says the measure is necessary because Burgh Quay registration offices face renewal backlogs exceeding 17 weeks—delays that risk stranding foreign staff overseas if they travel. The grace period aligns with a separate travel notice allowing those with recently expired cards to leave and re-enter Ireland during the summer peak. HR teams should update right-to-work checklists and brief line managers to avoid inadvertent suspensions. Mobility specialists planning home leave or assignment travel for affected employees should still confirm that transit countries will accept the ISD notice, as it does not bind third-country border authorities.
Source: Migrant Rights Centre Ireland
