VISA HOLDERS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS DUE TO VOLCANIC ASH

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) is aware that holders of Irish visas may have had their travel arrangements disrupted in recent days by flight restrictions and cancellations resulting from the presence of volcanic ash over European air space.  Through no fault of their own, many such people may be in possession of visas which have just expired or which are about to expire shortly.  INIS also recognises that a certain level of disruption will continue after air space is reopened and that it may take some time for normal airline services to be resumed.  INIS intends to adopt the following approach in such cases:

1.  For visas which would have been valid on or after 15 April, 2010, and where the visa holder can produce evidence of a cancelled flight which was due to fly within the original period of validity of the visa, INIS will extend recognition of such visas up to and including 30 April, 2010, or the original date of expiry of the visa, whichever is later.  

2. This should afford all such visa holders whose travel was disrupted by the presence of volcanic ash a reasonable period in which to rearrange flights or to make alternative travel arrangements.  

3. INIS will adopt a policy of not seeking to impose penalties or fines on carriers who facilitate such visa holders.

4. Holders of such visas must present to an Immigration Officer in the normal way on arrival in Ireland and normal entry requirements will apply.  Any person adversely affected by the recent disruption should be in a position to show evidence of any cancelled flight to the Immigration Officer at the airport or port of entry.

GENERAL INFORMATION

The granting of an Irish visa is, in effect, only a form of pre-entry clearance. It does not grant permission to enter Ireland and Immigration Officers have the authority to grant or deny admission. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the point of entry and should always carry with them the originals or copies of the documents submitted with their visa applications for possible inspection by Immigration Officers.

Furthermore, a visa does not grant permission to remain in Ireland. The date of validity shown on the visa indicates only the date before which it must be presented to an Immigration Officer. The length of stay is decided by an Immigration Officer at the port of entry.

A visa holder who remains in Ireland longer than the permitted period and/or who submits false or misleading information in support of his/her application may become liable for prosecution and/or subject to deportation.

The granting of a visa is not a mere formality. As a result, the Embassy will not be held responsible for any cancelled or unused travel tickets in the event of a visa application not being processed by an applicant's intended date of travel or where an application has been rejected by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. As a result, we advise all visa applicants NOT to purchase or book travel tickets until their visa application has been approved, issued and received