Ireland allows foreign residents travel with expired residence permits until August 31

The Irish government has announced a temporary measure allowing eligible foreign residents to travel with recently expired Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards until August 31, 2026, as authorities work to clear a backlog in residence permit renewals.

The arrangement, announced by Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy, is aimed at non-European Economic Area (Non-EEA) nationals legally residing in Ireland whose applications to renew their residence permits are still being processed.

According to a statement issued by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Immigration, the Immigration Services Registration Office (ISRO) at Burgh Quay in Dublin is experiencing a surge in renewal applications, with processing times exceeding 17 weeks for some categories.

The department said applicants may also wait an additional two weeks after their registration is renewed before receiving their new IRP cards.

To ease travel during the summer period, the government said applicants who submitted renewal requests before their permits expired would be allowed to travel using their recently expired IRP cards between July 13 and August 31, 2026.

Eligible travellers are required to carry their expired IRP card, a printed copy of the Travel Confirmation Notice and proof that their renewal application was submitted before the card expired.

The department advised affected residents to contact their airlines before departure to ensure the temporary arrangement would be recognised. Travellers transiting through third countries were also urged to confirm that the travel notice would be accepted before booking flights.

Irish authorities said airlines and foreign missions had been notified of the temporary measure, adding that efforts to process outstanding renewal applications would continue.

The announcement comes as Ireland faces significant delays in processing residence permit renewals, with some applicants waiting more than 17 weeks for new documentation. It also follows recent reforms to the country’s employment permit system aimed at addressing labour shortages in sectors including healthcare, construction, transport, agri-food and specialist services.