€1 billion worth of ‘cash-for-visa’ applications still in limbo after closure of Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Programme
Citizenship applicants face welfare-means test and longer qualifying period under new Irish migration overhaul
Arctic blast triggers flight cancellations and de-icing delays across Irish airports
Latest News
EMN report shows 16 % drop in overall immigration but spike in asylum claims to Ireland
The latest EMN review shows overall immigration to Ireland fell 16 % as Ukrainian arrivals tailed off, yet asylum claims rose 40 % in 2024—before dropping sharply in early 2025. The contrasting trends will shape upcoming permit-quota and dispersal policies, with implications for employers who rely on international talent.
Freezing fog grounds dozens of flights at Dublin Airport
A prolonged spell of freezing fog forced the cancellation of more than 50 Dublin Airport flights on 2 January, disrupting business and leisure travel at Ireland’s busiest hub. Although runways remained open, airlines could not de-ice aircraft quickly enough, prompting daa to advise passengers to confirm flight status before heading to the airport. The disruptions highlight winter-weather vulnerabilities and the need for corporate travellers to allow contingency time and keep documentation for EU261 claims.
UK confirms 25 February go-live for mandatory ETA—Irish carriers prepare for new checks
The UK has fixed 25 February 2026 as the enforcement date for its Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme. Although Irish citizens are exempt, non-EU residents of Ireland will need an ETA for business or leisure visits to the UK. Irish airlines, ferry companies and bus operators must now build real-time ETA checks into their systems or risk heavy fines, while employers should budget for the £10 fee and update travel policies.
Asylum-application backlog in Ireland ‘almost unmanageable’, officials warn
Leaked emails show Irish officials warned in mid-2025 that asylum backlogs were becoming “unmanageable”. Extra funding and staff have since been approved, but processing times remain a business concern because they indirectly affect family-reunification timelines and Ireland’s reputation as a predictable immigration destination.
Met Éireann issues nationwide snow-ice warnings, threatening road and air links
Met Éireann has placed 15 Irish counties under Status Yellow snow-ice alerts from 20:00 on 2 January, warning of up to 10 cm of snow and temperatures as low as –6 °C. The advisory threatens road and rail travel and could trigger further flight disruptions after this morning’s fog-related cancellations. Employers with mobile staff and incoming assignees should anticipate delays and monitor local travel advisories.
Dublin Airport breaks single-day passenger record as CT scanners speed security
VisaHQ data show Dublin Airport handled an unprecedented 100,000 passengers on 30 December, with smooth flows thanks to new CT scanners that ended the 100 ml liquid rule. The milestone underscores robust demand and renews pressure to lift the airport’s 32 million-passenger cap, a key issue for business-travel planners and mobility managers.