Travel on expired IRP (non-visa required national)

[ewisto]

Hi all, curious to hear if anyone from a non-visa required country has travelled on an expired IRP recently? (covered by the latest extension)

The immigration website suggests this is fine, and it shouldn't be an issue with airlines either (although I will check in advance as I know some have brought in their own restrictions)

Q 6. Will Irish Embassies/Consulates and/or ISD issue letters to non-visa required nationals confirming ongoing residence or issue guidance to airlines or other carriers to confirm the position regarding ongoing entitlements to return to Ireland?

A. Non-visa required nationals do not require such documentation to be allowed travel to Ireland.

[littlerr]

INIS has already confirmed this is fine, so what is your concern?

[ewisto]

Thank you - I just don't understand why non-visa required and visa required nationals are treated differently in this scenario. Is it simply because airlines are more likely to refuse travel for visa required nationals?

[littlerr]

It’s not that you are ‘likely’ to be refused boarding. You will be refused boarding if you are from a visa-required nation and you don’t have a visa or IRP card.

Both airlines and border controls use your nationality to determine whether you require a visa to enter the country. If your nationality requires a visa, then you have to show either a valid visa sticker in your passport, or a valid residence permission card to both the airline and border control.

In real life, the Irish border control is more lenient than most other western countries. They would let you in if you have a valid permission but don’t have an IRP card for whatever reason. However, that is simply up to the officer themselves and you are not guaranteed entry. Airlines, on the other hand, will not care if you have any compelling reasons whatsoever. If you don’t have the correct paperwork, they will not allow you to board the plane.

An expired (and auto-extended) card gives you the right to stay in Ireland, but that permission certainly does not extend to foreign travels.