Lost, or expired, Irish Residence Permits
In the event that you have lost your Irish Residence Permit (IRP), or it has expired while outside of Ireland and you wish to return, you must apply for a new entry visa to Ireland.
The application category you apply for, and the documents you submit in support of your application, will depend on your reason for residence in Ireland; which will form the basis of your application for an IRP when your return. Therefore:
- If you are returning to Ireland as a worker: You must apply for an appropriate Employment visa, and provide appropriate* documents, guided by the employment visa checklist. You should also provide a copy of your previous IRP, if possible;
- If you are returning to Ireland as a student: You must apply for a Study visa, and provide appropriate* documents, guided by the student visa checklist. You should also provide a copy of your previous IRP, if possible;
- If you are returning to Ireland as a dependent family member: You must apply for an appropriate Join family visa, and provide appropriate* documents, guided by the join family visa checklist. You should also provide a copy of your previous IRP, if possible.
* in the event that you cannot provide a document from the applicable checklist – for example an employment permit if you have since moved to stamp 4 permissions in Ireland – then simply outline the missing documents, and a reason as to why you cannot provide them, in your letter of application.
Returning resident minors, under the age of 16, who could not obtain a re-entry visa before departing from Ireland
Re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 have been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice. Children under 16 who are currently residing in the State and who wish to re-enter the State, must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who holds an in date permission to reside in the State.
The adult accompanying the child must also provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the legal parent or guardian of the child in question. For more information please visit the Irish Immigration website.
Persons seeking to travel under this policy should first consult their airline to confirm that boarding will be allowed. Where an airline is unwilling to board a minor without a visa, or cannot confirm that boarding will be possible, it is advised that the minor applies for a new entry visa, which will be processed free of charge. The minor applicant should apply as per the rules outlined for a dependent family member above.
Returning to Ireland to avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme (stamp 1G)
If you completed your studies in Ireland and wish to avail of the Third Level Graduate Scheme, but left Ireland before you could register for your stamp 1G permission, then you must first obtain a Graduate Scheme Permission letter from the Irish Immigration Service before you can apply for a visa to return.
Once the letter of approval has been issued, you should apply for an Employment visa, and provide:
- Your Graduate Scheme Permission letter;
- A copy of your education award; and
- A letter from your higher education institution stating the details of the course you graduated from and the award that you achieved.
The above rules apply to persons who just recently completed their studies under stamp 2 conditions, and to persons who have already completed 12 months on stamp 1G permissions, but are eligible to return to Ireland to avail of another 12 months permission.