IRP renewals exceed 17 weeks as ISD issues summer notices

Immigration Service Delivery acknowledged on 13 July 2026 that IRP renewal processing at Burgh Quay had passed 17 weeks for some stamp categories, with a further two weeks to receive the card after a decision.

ISD issued notices for employers and travellers on the same day.

The employer notice

The employer notice allowed an employee to remain in the State and continue working on the conditions of an expired IRP card until 31 August 2026. The employee had to hold a valid, in-date employment permit, or a permission that did not require one, and to have applied for renewal before the card expired with all required documents uploaded.

All three conditions had to be met. Applications made after expiry or with missing documents were not covered.

The travel notice

The Travel Confirmation Notice allowed carriers to accept a recently expired IRP card during the summer period where the holder had applied for renewal before expiry. An expired card alone was not sufficient for travel.

Renewal processing times

A separate notice on 30 June 2026 reported that additional staff had been assigned, with some categories back to six to eight weeks and none above sixteen. The 13 July announcement reported longer waits.

Applications should be submitted as early as the renewal system allows. Both notices required the renewal application to have been submitted before the card expired.