Effective December 11, 2017, the new Irish Residence Permit (IRP) will replace the old GNIB card. Those who have an appointment to process their Irish residence card after the 11th will receive the new IRP directly; there is no need to worry if you notice the card color has changed to blue. Although the name and card design have changed, the functionality remains the same.
However, there is no need to worry! The update of the GNIB card will not affect your daily life. Entry and exit will be completely unaffected, and there is no need to re-apply for an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) before your current GNIB card expires. You can simply apply when your GNIB card is nearing its expiration date.
The IRP card is a credit-card-sized plastic card containing the cardholder's basic information, primarily including:
Cardholder name, photograph, date of birth, and registration number
Visa type
A small chip containing the cardholder's photograph, fingerprints, and the aforementioned information
Note: The residence card does not grant the holder new rights. For example, IRP holders cannot freely travel or live in other EU countries. Existing travel and immigration regulations must be followed. Before traveling to other countries, travelers should check the relevant information themselves.
Non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss citizens who wish to stay in Ireland for more than 90 days must apply for immigration permission. If registration is successful, the applicant will receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP).
To apply for a residence card, the following conditions must be met:
1. Non-EU and non-Swiss nationality
2. Aged 16 or older
3. The applicant must register in person at the immigration office
If the cardholder stays in Ireland beyond the expiry date on the residence card, they must apply for an extension of permission and re-register. If registration is successful, you will receive a new IRP card. The fee for registering or extending a residence card is 300 Euros per person per instance. If an existing residence card is lost or stolen, the fee for a new card must still be paid.
We know that previously, when processing a GNIB card, you could receive the new card on the spot. However, the IRP cannot be obtained on-site; it will be mailed to the address you provided within 5-10 working days. You will need to fill out an additional form before applying. You must enter your name, address, and phone number on it. Note: If you do not know your Eircode, you do not need to fill it in!
Additionally, in the future, you will no longer need to provide a GNIB or IRP card when applying for a re-entry visa; you only need to provide your passport with the valid expiration stamp. After applying for a new IRP card, although you may not receive it immediately, your passport will have a page indicating the duration of your legal residence in Ireland, which can be used to apply for a re-entry visa. Since the process has changed to mailing, the time to process a residence card has increased by about 10 days, so please be sure to plan ahead when arranging vacations or booking flights.
Due to its advantages as a tax haven and a hub for top global companies, Ireland has sparked a new wave of interest among investment immigrants. Once relocation is successful, you and your entire family can enjoy the benefits of Ireland and the European Union. Currently, investors only need to invest 1 million Euros in an enterprise project designated by the Irish government to apply for residence status for the whole family. After meeting certain residency requirements, you can apply for an Irish passport, immigrate to Ireland, and enjoy a high-quality life. Hotline: 400-138-2929