(OT) New requirements for entry into Ireland

[Tommy Williamsen]

I arrived in Ireland this past Wednesday. I had some difficulty entering the country. The customs official told me that I now need a letter of approval to be handed over to the immigration official. I knew nothing about this. Beginning April 1 Americans will no longer be able to be "volunteers" but need approved documentation. Fortunately I was not turned away. This my 12th trip to Irelqnd and previously was welcomed with open arms. This time it was a tad different.


http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/launch-notice-for-preclearance-scheme-for-de-facto-partners-of-critical-skills-employment-permit-holders-(csep)-and-de-facto-partners-of-non-eea-researchers-on-a-hosting-agreement

[Jon Wiggett]

Tommy,


if you are planning to work then most countries require some form of approval document. If it is just for a none working visit then you can just rock up.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Jon, that wasn't the case. The official was very adamant. Regardless of why, I needed a letter of permission.

[Alan FitzGerald CGCS MG]

So your visit wasn't work related? As Jon mentioned you don't need a visa if you are just visiting. I was there last week too and my wife (who's American) had no issues.


http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/check-irish-visa

[Mark Pearce]

Tommy, in your OP you refer to previously having been able to be "volunteers".  That does suggest this was not a purely social visit and that some work, even if unpaid, is involved?

[Niall C]

Tommy

I'm also a bit confused as to why there would be a problem if you were pitching up for a holiday. For instance who would the letter of permission be from  ?

Niall

[Dan Herrmann]

Agree - I was in Oxford, UK in 2016 for 4 days of work, and I needed to provide an official document from my employer stating that I was there for a defined period.   

[Tommy Williamsen]

Tommy

I'm also a bit confused as to why there would be a problem if you were pitching up for a holiday. For instance who would the letter of permission be from  ?

Niall

I was also confused. I was told I had to get permission from the dept of justice. Normally getting through customs was easy and quick. Each person in line had long conversations with the officials. I am still confused.

[David_Tepper]

Tommy -

Did you tell the customs official your were there for a vacation/holiday? (to play golf, I assume)

DT

[Tommy Williamsen]

I came this time to spend a couple weeks at a monastery. I told him I come every year to play golf and make a retreat.

[jeffwarne]

I came this time to spend a couple weeks at a monastery. I told him I come every year to play golf and make a retreat.

Perhaps as a minister he assumed you meant a monastary was for work? (which begs the question of permission from WHOM )

[Mike Sweeney]

Beginning April 1 Americans will no longer be able to be "volunteers" but need approved documentation.


http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/launch-notice-for-preclearance-scheme-for-de-facto-partners-of-critical-skills-employment-permit-holders-(csep)-and-de-facto-partners-of-non-eea-researchers-on-a-hosting-agreement

Tommy,


As I am traveling to Ireland on a golf holiday in June, I looked at this closer. It appears that the new policy is for 90+ days:


"Under the new scheme, non-visa required nationals intending to travel to Ireland for longer than 90 days to join their De Facto Partner on a CSEP or Hosting Agreement, must be able to present a ‘Preclearance Letter of Approval’ to an Immigration Officer when they arrive at the port of entry, otherwise they will not be permitted entry to the State."

It appears you got caught up in some Irish Nóinín (nonsense).

Time for a Guinness.

[Tommy Williamsen]

Beginning April 1 Americans will no longer be able to be "volunteers" but need approved documentation.


http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/launch-notice-for-preclearance-scheme-for-de-facto-partners-of-critical-skills-employment-permit-holders-(csep)-and-de-facto-partners-of-non-eea-researchers-on-a-hosting-agreement

Tommy,


As I am traveling to Ireland on a golf holiday in June, I looked at this closer. It appears that the new policy is for 90+ days:


"Under the new scheme, non-visa required nationals intending to travel to Ireland for longer than 90 days to join their De Facto Partner on a CSEP or Hosting Agreement, must be able to present a ‘Preclearance Letter of Approval’ to an Immigration Officer when they arrive at the port of entry, otherwise they will not be permitted entry to the State."

It appears you got caught up in some Irish Nóinín (nonsense).

Time for a Guinness.

Thanks Mike. I sure hope you're right. We don't need another layer of bureaucracy. Maybe I got the immigration officer on a bad day. He hassled a bunch of folks. I hope to return in October to play a little golf.
By the way, there is no Guinness in this Cistercian (Trappist) monastery. They are ascetics after all. 

[Jay Mickle]

Seems a bit suspicious to me that someone would go to Ireland and actually plan to not drink Guinness. Surprised that they let you in at all.

[Pete Lavallee]

Indeed, Ireland without Guinness is like Mass without Holy Wine!

[Tommy Williamsen]

No Guinness but we sure do eat potatoes, normally two kinds at both noon and evening meals. The other day I refused potatoes when I was served. The monk serving me was astounded. "Are you sure?" I forgot that potatoes like Hurling is a national pastime.