The Department of Justice & Equality has announced
new arrangements for students who have been continuously resident in the State
since before 1 January 2005 (i.e. the student must have received a GNIB card
during or before 2004 and for each year thereafter). These new arrangements
will allow eligible students to reside in Ireland for a further period of 2
years on specified conditions. In addition, at the conclusion of the two year
probationary period those students will be eligible to apply for a more
permanent status on condition that certain obligations have been fulfilled.
Any non-EEA national student who first registered their
residence in Ireland as student on or before 31 December 2004 and who commenced
their studies in Ireland on or before 31 December 2004 may apply for the
special probationary extension.
Non-EEA Students who are no longer resident in the State
will not be eligible to avail of this student probationary extension.
In order for such a student to be granted the extension
they must have maintained their residence as a student from first registration
until the date of application for the Student Probationary Extension. Any
student not currently registered and with a significant gap in registration
will not be eligible to apply for the extension.
Students must also furnish one P60 certificate that has
been acquired within the previous three years.
The following residency conditions will apply to the
probationary period –
·
The eligible student will not be required to be
registered or enrolled in an academic course of study.
·
The eligible student will be permitted to work for a
maximum period of 40 hours per week without being required to hold a work
permit.
·
The eligible student will be required to maintain private
medical insurance.
·
The eligible student will be required to reside in the
State without drawing on publicly funded social assistance programmes (e.g.
supplementary welfare allowances, medical card, jobseeker supports etc.)
·
The eligible student will not be permitted to apply for
reunification with family members who are resident outside the State.
·
The eligible student must be of good character and must
demonstrate that they are law abiding.
At the conclusion of the two year probationary period the
eligible students can apply for a Stamp 4 permission to reside in the State.
Brophy Solicitors welcomes these new arrangements and is
available to assist potential applicants with any queries they may have
regarding the scheme.
Brophy Solicitors
24.08.12
