The Department of Justice has moved quickly to prevent post-holiday travel headaches for thousands of non-EEA professionals and their families living in Ireland. In a notice posted late on 30 January, Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) confirmed that the so-called Travel Confirmation Notice—which was due to lapse at midnight on 31 January—will be extended for a further four weeks, up to and including 28 February 2026.
The scheme allows residents who have already filed an online renewal of their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) to leave and re-enter the State using three documents instead of a new IRP card: (1) the downloadable Travel Confirmation Notice, (2) their most recently expired IRP card and (3) proof (such as the ISD e-mail receipt) that the renewal application was submitted before the card expired. Airlines and border officials have been instructed to accept the bundle as temporary evidence of legal residence.
ISD introduced the waiver in December to relieve seasonal pressure on its registration office, where card-production backlogs have stretched to six weeks. HR managers in multinational firms welcomed the rollover, noting that Chinese New Year, mid-term school breaks and early-spring client visits generate a second spike in outbound travel for assignees. Without an extension, employees whose cards are still in the printing queue would have had to cancel trips or apply for costly single-use re-entry visas.
![Ireland extends ‘Travel Confirmation Notice’ scheme—expired IRP cards now valid until 28 February 2026]()
For travellers and HR teams looking for extra support in navigating Irish immigration rules or in securing the right travel documents, VisaHQ can help. The company’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) provides real-time visa requirements, document checklists and application services, making it easier to stay compliant and avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.
The Department stressed that the concession applies only to residents who submitted their renewal on time; overstayers still need a re-entry visa. Officials also urged travellers to carry printed copies of all three documents and to double-check transit-country visa rules, as the Irish notice guarantees admission only on the final leg back into Ireland.
Practically, the update buys ISD room to clear the current backlog before the busy summer period. Employers should audit outstanding renewals, remind staff of the 12-week early-application window and schedule internal travel-risk briefings ahead of the new expiry date.
The scheme allows residents who have already filed an online renewal of their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) to leave and re-enter the State using three documents instead of a new IRP card: (1) the downloadable Travel Confirmation Notice, (2) their most recently expired IRP card and (3) proof (such as the ISD e-mail receipt) that the renewal application was submitted before the card expired. Airlines and border officials have been instructed to accept the bundle as temporary evidence of legal residence.
ISD introduced the waiver in December to relieve seasonal pressure on its registration office, where card-production backlogs have stretched to six weeks. HR managers in multinational firms welcomed the rollover, noting that Chinese New Year, mid-term school breaks and early-spring client visits generate a second spike in outbound travel for assignees. Without an extension, employees whose cards are still in the printing queue would have had to cancel trips or apply for costly single-use re-entry visas.
For travellers and HR teams looking for extra support in navigating Irish immigration rules or in securing the right travel documents, VisaHQ can help. The company’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) provides real-time visa requirements, document checklists and application services, making it easier to stay compliant and avoid last-minute surprises at the airport.
The Department stressed that the concession applies only to residents who submitted their renewal on time; overstayers still need a re-entry visa. Officials also urged travellers to carry printed copies of all three documents and to double-check transit-country visa rules, as the Irish notice guarantees admission only on the final leg back into Ireland.
Practically, the update buys ISD room to clear the current backlog before the busy summer period. Employers should audit outstanding renewals, remind staff of the 12-week early-application window and schedule internal travel-risk briefings ahead of the new expiry date.
