Further Guidance on new Passport Process when submitting an application for Naturalisation

April 21st, 2023

Source:https://www.irishimmigration.ie/further-guidance-on-new-passport-process-when-submitting-an-application-for-naturalisation/

 

With effect from the 20th April, 2023 all new applicants for a certificate of naturalisation are only required to provide a certified colour copy of the biometric page of their current passport. The colour copy of the biometric page can be certified by a Solicitor, Commissioner for Oaths, Peace Commissioner or Notary Public.

 

The removal of the requirement to provide a full certified copy of the passport, introduced in January 2022, forms part of a suite of measures being introduced as part of the Divisions commitment to making the process more customer friendly.

 

Please note the Department retains the right to request actual passports to be submitted as part of the verification process, and it is estimated that approximately 10% of applicants will be requested to submit their passport for verification. The Minister will base his decision on requesting an original passport on the basis of the range of information (including security features or more robust data rules attaching to various passports) available to him at that time in relation to the application.

English Language Students Stamp 2 Bridging Permission

ISD announces bridging permission for English Language course students who have successfully completed a 2nd or 3rd course and subsequently enrolled in a Higher Education Programme commencing by end of October 2023.

 

The bridging permission will be a short term Stamp 2 permission granted until 30th September 2023, from the date of expiry of their current IRP card, on the basis that applicants will be in a position to provide documentary evidence of a confirmed and fully paid Higher Education Programme listed on the Interim List of Eligible Providers (ILEP) commencing September 2023.

 

The Stamp 2 Bridging Permissions will be granted as follows:

 

1) Students who have successfully completed a 3rd English Language course (max allowable) and have enrolled in and paid fees for a Higher Education Programme listed on the ILEP, commencing by end of October 2023, can avail of a bridging permission by applying via their local immigration office if residing outside of Dublin or via the online portal if residing in Dublin, provided all other criteria are met.

 

2) Where students have successfully completed a 2 nd English Language course on or after 1st July and have enrolled in and paid fees for a Higher Education Programme listed on the Interim List of Eligible Providers (ILEP) commencing by end of October 2023, they can avail of this bridging permission by applying via their local immigration office if residing outside of Dublin or via the online portal if residing in Dublin, provided all other criteria are met.

 

This bridging permission does not apply to students who have successfully completed a 2nd English Language course prior to 1st July regardless of the date of application. These students have the option to undertake a 3rd English language course and renew a permission on that basis, should they wish to.

 

Requirements for eligible students

Students wishing to avail of this bridging permission must have:

 

  • An in date IRP card or a card that has expired within one month when applying for the bridging permission;
  • Successfully completed a 3rd English Language course listed on the ILEP or successfully completed a 2nd English Language course listed on the ILEP on or after 1st July;
  • Have enrolled in and paid fees in full for a Higher Education Programme listed on the ILEP;
  • Apply for a renewal (bridging permission) via their local immigration office if residing outside of Dublin or via the online portal if residing in Dublin.

 

Students will be required to:

  • Satisfy renewal criteria;
  • Provide evidence of their enrolment in a Higher Education Programme listed on the ILEP;
  • Provide evidence that the course fees have been paid in full.
  • Registration Fees

 

Students whose 2nd or 3rd English language course finished on or after 1st July wishing to avail of this bridging permission will be fee-exempt. (Dublin-based customers applying via the online portal will have the fee refunded when the application is processed)

 

Students whose 3rd English language course finished prior to 1st July wishing to avail of this bridging permission will pay the standard fee of €300.

 

Students who avail of this bridging permission will be required to renew their immigration permission prior to the bridging permission expiring on 30th September 2023.

 

The notice is valid from 01st April 2023 to 31st August 2023 only.