Belarusians in Ireland May Be Granted Residence Permit Extensions Despite Expired Passports

Reform.news Editorial Team · 15 October 2026, 23:33

https://reform.news/en/belarusians-in-ireland-may-be-granted-residence-permit-extensions-despite-expired-passports/

Ireland’s immigration service may consider extending residence permits for Belarusians who do not have valid passports. Applicants must explain why they are unable to obtain new documents.

This is stated in a response published on October 1 by Colm Brophy, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, to a parliamentary question.

The question was raised by John Connolly. He drew attention to the situation of Belarusian citizens legally residing in Ireland: replacing their passports may require them to travel back to their home country, where they risk political persecution. The lawmaker asked whether the authorities were prepared to temporarily accept expired Belarusian passports or issue alternative identity documents or travel documents to such individuals.

In his response, Brophy said that the lack of a valid passport does not preclude consideration of an application to extend a residence permit. However, applicants must provide a satisfactory explanation of the circumstances preventing them from obtaining a document and meet all other requirements. Each case will be assessed individually.

According to Brophy, the department is aware of the difficulties Belarusian citizens face when replacing their passports. Applicants are advised to include an explanation of their circumstances when submitting an application. Applications for extensions can be submitted through the immigration service’s online system.

Thus, the measure allows for individual consideration of applications rather than automatic residence permit extensions for all holders of expired Belarusian passports.