This page contains information for non-EEA children and young people who do not hold an immigration permission in their own right. All non-EEA migrants over the age of 16 are required to register with the GNIB/INIS and obtain an Irish Residence Permit. Many children will have been included on their parent(s)’ immigration permission letters and can register their residence easily on turning 16 however, there are a cohort of children and young people who are separated from their parents, have newly joined their parents or are dissatisfied with their current stamp on their Irish Residence Permit.
Registering for the first time
At 16 years old, a non-EEA migrant (who is not an asylum seeker) is required to register their residence in the State. This is normally done by attending the local registration office. Those living outside Dublin, can do so at a local registration office. If you are living in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork or Limerick and wish to register a permission for the first time, please call Freephone 1800 800 630. After you book an appointment, you must travel to the Burgh Quay registration office in Dublin with you family and register you first permission. If you are living outside of those areas, information on registration can be found here.
When you go to register, the type of immigration stamp you receive will normally depend on the type of immigration permission/citizenship that your parent(s) holds and, in our experience, your age may also be taken into consideration. You may be able to register immediately, or you may be advised to make an application to the INIS.
What should I bring with me to my first registration?
Immigration officers have a wide-ranging discretion to ask for documents from anyone registering their residence. It is a good idea to prepare your documents carefully before your registration. You will likely need to bring your parent(s) with you to the registration office as well. We suggest bringing the following documents with you:
- Your passport;
- Your parent(s)’ passport(s);
- Evidence of your parent(s)’ immigration permission;
- Proofs of address for you and your parent(s)eg utility bill, letter from GP;
- Letter from your school/college (if you are enrolled).
For a full list of required documents for first time registration and renewals please see here.
In some circumstances, particularly if you are aged between 16 and 18 you may be issued with a Stamp 2 permission or a Stamp 3 permission. For more information on stamps and what they mean, please see here.
Changing your immigration stamp
Immigration officers may register children or young people with a Stamp 2 or a Stamp 3 permission. These stamps are not ideal as they may limit access to employment. If your parent or guardian is an Irish citizen, you may be able to apply to the ISD for an upgrade to a Stamp 4. You can write directly to the Residence Division of ISD and ask for permission to change to a Stamp 4.
If you have a Stamp 2 and you are a dependent of a legally resident parent who has a Stamp 4, Stamp 5 or Irish citizenship the time you spend in the State on a Stamp 2 may be considered reckonable for citizenship ie it may count towards the five years you need to accumulate before you are eligible to apply for naturalisation as an adult.
“Dependent children, who entered the State with their parent(s) as part of a family unit may be covered by their parent’s permission for the purposes of this application [naturalisation application] while attending secondary school and may continue to be covered up to age 23 where they have been continuously dependent on their parents and progressed from secondary school in the State directly into third level education.”
Seeking independent registration
Sometimes family relationships break down and it is no longer possible to register with your parents. If this occurs you should contact Nasc or another organisation local to you who can help you write to the INIS to request an independent residence permission.
