By Staff Reporter

A new scheme allowing certain non-EEA nationals, who came to Ireland to study between January 2005 and December 2010, to apply for Irish residency has been launched.

The scheme started receiving applications on Monday 15 October and will remain open till Sunday 20 January.

The Department of Justice said successful applicants will be given residency Stamp 4S which will enable them “to live and work in the State without the need for an employment permit for two years”.

Those who observe the conditions of the scheme will be granted Stamp 4 residency for one year at the end of the initial two-year period.

“In these circumstances, beneficiaries can be expected to be net contributors to the economy,” said Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan at the launch of the scheme.

Justice added that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has developed an online application form for eligible applicants to apply under the scheme.

Metro Éireann has learned that applicants must pay a total of €700 when making their application.

This includes a non-refundable processing fee of €250 and an additional €450 which would be refunded upon an unsuccessful application.

Successful applicants will be issued with an initial two-year registration at a fee of €300 - half the rate of the €300 paid annually by students.

Justice said the new scheme “addresses a significant cohort” of people who have become undocumented after lapsing in renewing their permission to remain for various reasons.

“While family reunification is not permitted under this scheme, the family circumstances of persons present in the State will be taken into consideration,” Justice added.

“For persons qualifying under this scheme, the family unit who have been residing with them in the state may be given permission to remain under the scheme.”

More information about the scheme as well as the online application form can be found at inis.gov.ie.

New form for family of EEA nationals

The INIS has also has introduced a new application form for family members of an EU national seeking residency in Ireland.

The new EUTR1 form should be used by any non-EEA national resident in Ireland who is a qualifying family member of an EEA national residing in Ireland and exercising their EU Treaty Rights in the State, whether employed, self-employed, residing with sufficient resources, studying or involuntarily unemployed.

Qualifying applicants include the spouse or recognised civil partner of the EEA national, or a dependent child of the EEA national or of their spouse/recognised civil partner.

Among other requirements, applicants are asked to complete the form in capital letters.

The INIS also urged family members of EEA nationals who do not fall within the stated criteria to apply on form EU1A. Further information can be obtained from inis.gov.ie.