31 August 2026: What Happens If Your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) Is Still Expired?

31 August 2026: What Happens If Your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) Is Still Expired?

If your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) has expired but you submitted your renewal application before it expired, you may currently be relying on the Summer Travel Confirmation Notice to travel.

A question we are receiving from many applicants is:

What happens after 31 August 2026?

The answer is straightforward.

Unless Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) announces another extension, the current Summer Travel Confirmation Notice ends on 31 August 2026.

Here is what that means for your travel plans.

What is the Summer Travel Confirmation Notice?

The Summer Travel Confirmation Notice is a temporary arrangement introduced by Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).

It allows eligible non-EEA residents who applied to renew their IRP before it expired to travel using:

• their recently expired IRP card
• their renewal confirmation
• the official Summer Travel Confirmation Notice

The current notice is valid from 13 July 2026 until 31 August 2026.

What changes after 31 August 2026?

As things currently stand, the temporary travel concession ends on 31 August 2026.

Unless ISD officially extends the arrangement, the expired IRP card and Summer Travel Confirmation Notice will no longer be accepted as evidence for travel to Ireland.

From 1 September 2026, you should not assume you can travel using an expired IRP card.

What if your renewal is still being processed?

Many applicants submitted their renewal application before their permission expired but are still waiting for a new IRP card.

If your application remains under processing after 31 August 2026, you should be extremely careful before travelling outside Ireland.

Without a new IRP card or another valid travel document, you may experience difficulties boarding your flight or returning to Ireland.

Waiting for your renewed IRP is usually the safest option.

Can airlines refuse boarding?

Yes.

Airlines must ensure passengers have the correct travel documents before allowing them to board.

The Summer Travel Confirmation Notice gave airlines temporary guidance during the concession period.

Once that notice expires, airlines may no longer accept an expired IRP card for travel unless ISD announces a further extension.

What should you do before travelling?

Before booking international travel:

• Check whether ISD has announced an extension to the Summer Travel Confirmation Notice.
• Wait for your new IRP card where possible.
• Confirm your airline's boarding requirements.
• Check the requirements of any transit countries.

Do not assume the temporary travel arrangement will automatically continue after 31 August.

Does this affect your immigration permission?

No.

The Summer Travel Confirmation Notice only relates to travel.

If you submitted your renewal application before your permission expired, your immigration status is a separate issue from your ability to travel.

The concern after 31 August is whether you have the correct documents to leave and return to Ireland.

Will ISD extend the notice?

At the time of writing, there has been no official confirmation that the Summer Travel Confirmation Notice will continue beyond 31 August 2026.

If ISD publishes a new notice, the position may change.

Until then, applicants should plan their travel based on the current published guidance.

Key takeaway

If your IRP has expired and you are waiting for renewal, do not assume you can continue travelling after 31 August 2026.

Unless ISD officially extends the current travel concession:

• The Summer Travel Confirmation Notice ends on 31 August 2026.
• An expired IRP card may no longer be accepted for travel.
• Waiting for your new IRP card is the safest approach before travelling internationally.

Always check the latest guidance from Immigration Service Delivery before making travel arrangements.

Need help with your IRP renewal?

If you are unsure about your IRP renewal, immigration status or travel plans, Ask Manavi can help.

We provide guidance on:

• IRP renewals
• Employment permits
• Stamp permissions
• Family reunification
• Irish citizenship
• Irish immigration applications