Important Notice to non-EEA Green Card Permit holders in relation to expiry of current Green Card Permit

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - GREEN CARD PERMIT HOLDERS WHOSE PERMITS ARE DUE FOR RENEWAL

On expiry of my Green Card Permit (after 2 years) what do I need to do to renew?

In order to remain in the State you do not have to obtain a further Green Card Employment Permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. However, you must renew your immigration registration. Within two weeks of expiry of your Green Card Employment Permit you may present for immigration registration renewal. If you reside in the Dublin area you should call to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2. Details of opening hours can be obtained on the Garda Síochána website, www.garda.ie/gnib. If you reside outside the Dublin area you should register with the local Garda registration office in the relevant Garda District in which you reside.

Further information on renewal arrangements is available on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration website at the following link:

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Renewal_of_Green_Card_Work_Permit

What documentation do I need to present?

The following documents should be brought to registration (all documents should be originals):

• Your valid passport. If you have renewed your passport since your arrival in the State, you will also need to bring your expired passport with you.

• Your Garda Certificate of Registration (GNIB Card)

• Your existing Green Card Permit

• Your most recent pay slip

Qualifying criteriaYou must still be working in the occupation and for the employer specified on the Green Card Permit. You must also be in receipt of a salary not less than that shown on the Green Card Permit. If the officer is not satisfied that you meet the qualifying criteria, you will be issued with a Stamp 1 for three months and referred to the Employment Permits Section of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. A referral form is available at the following link: http://www.entemp.ie/publications/labour/2010/GNIB Referral Form (PDF, 78KB)What Permission to remain do I get?

Subject to you having complied with your previous immigration conditions and being of good character, a Stamp 4 permission of two year’s duration will be endorsed in your passport (subject to the officer being satisfied with the documentation presented). This will entitle you to work without a permit during that time. it should be noted that the Garda National Immigration Bureau is entitled to refuse registration where there is a valid ground for doing so e.g. the person has come to the adverse attention of the Gardaí or there is evidence that the person lived outside the State for most or all of the previous period of immigration permission, etc.

The immigration Stamp 4 which issues will be valid for 2 years.  However, where the person's passport expires earlier than 2 years after registration the Stamp 4 will be given up to the expiry date of the passport.  The person concerned may present again to have the remaining period of registration endorsed in their new passport.

Will this Stamp 4 entitle me to Long Term Residence?

No. The Stamp 4 is an interim status that exempts you from the requirement to hold a Green Card Permit. It is not a Long Term Residence status and does not confer the full benefits of that status.

How will I get Long Term Residence?

Subject to parliamentary approval of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010, further details will be published in due course advising Green Card Permit holders or those who have re-registered per above of how to apply under the proposed legislation for Long Term Residence. It should be noted that the grant of Stamp 4 in these renewal cases is an interim status that simply exempts the person from the requirement to hold a Green Card Permit. It is not a Long Term Residence status and does not confer the full benefits of that status. The Green Card Permit holder will be eligible to make an application for Long-Term Residence when the necessary legislation and application process is in place.

Do I need to apply to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation for a renewal permit on expiry of my Green Card Permit (after 2 years)?

No. You or your employers will not be required to apply for a renewal permit through the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation.

What permission to remain will my spouse and dependant(s) get?

The Spouse, partner or dependants of Green Card Employment Permit holders will continue to be granted Stamp 2 or Stamp 3, depending on the family member's situation for durations which are the same as the Green Card holder or the Stamp 4 holder, as appropriate.

For the spouse or partner who wishes to work in the State, it may be possible to change the immigration stamp from 3 to 1 where an Employment/Spousal/Dependant permit is issued.

How much will this renewal cost?

There is a fee of €150.00 for the issuing of a Certificate of Registration and this fee is payable to the Garda National Immigration Bureau.