Ireland update: Extension of visas, rapid antigen testing
I am introducing a further automatic extension to 20 September 2021 for anyone already holding a valid permission.
Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice
Ireland is another country that adopts a cautious approach to easing the pandemic restriction with the country getting out of the highest level 5 restrictions from 12th April.
As the students are starting to return to colleges and universities their return must be as safe as possible. The Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said that the rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 will be rolled out in colleges and universities and especially in student accommodation for returning students to campus.
Despite the talks that the antigen tests are not the most accurate, the Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, Kingston Mills, said that rapid antigen testing will add an “extra layer of protection” in the fight against Covid-19.
The international students currently present in Ireland have been given extensions on their current visas. The announcement by the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, states that all immigration permissions that are due to expire from 21 April 2021 to 20 September 2021 are automatically renewed to 20 September 2021. The renewal of permission stays on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions. This renewal is expected to be the final, following the six previous ones since the beginning of the pandemic.
When announcing the news, Minister McEntee said:
“As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, I want to reassure people whose immigration permissions are due to expire shortly that your legal status in the country will continue to be maintained. To do this, I am introducing a further automatic extension to 20 September 2021 for anyone already holding a valid permission.
The latest update for the English Language sector advises the prospective International English Language students to wait until in-person classes have resumed as it might result in refused permission to land in Ireland and refused registration. Education providers have been advised to bring this notice to the attention of prospective students.
The visa offices and missions overseas continue to accept applications for English Languages studies but the decisions on applications are paused until further notices from the relevant authorities.
