In an effort to simplify the immigration registration renewal process, Dublin-based non-EU students who are eligible will now be able to renew their immigration permission through an online system.
Charlie Flanagan TD, the Minister for Justice and Equality, was “delighted” to announce the new online system which will be available to around 8,000 students. It is hoped the online system will also free up more time for other customers to schedule in-person appointments with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) office.
The system is open to third level students in the Dublin area who have successfully completed the first year of their course and are looking to re-register with immigration. To re-register online, the student must be registered for the subsequent year of their course, currently hold a Stamp 2 permission, and meet the conditions for student permission.
Students will be asked to submit their application for re-registration online and to send their passport to INIS for the immigration stamp. Once the process is complete, students will receive their stamped passport and Permit card in the post. Previously, Dublin-based students were required to register online for an appointment and queue in-person at the Burgh Quay Registration Office of the INIS in order to re-register. Non-EU students who reside outside of Dublin are still required to re-register in person at their nearest Garda District Office.
Flanagan stated: “Ireland is home to third level universities and colleges of global standing. Increasing numbers of international students choose to come to study in Ireland every year. I am pleased to be able to make their interactions with the immigration services more accessible and user-friendly.”
The number of non-EEA nationals who registered for immigration permission was last year up 20% from 2017, with a total of 138,400 people who registered in 2018. 83,400 of those who registered in 2018 were processed at the Burgh Quay Offices, and 55,000 (40%) of the total registrations were submitted by students.
If the system is successful for students, the INIS have said that it may implement similar online systems for other customers.
