whereTOemigrate
Get your free results
IE country scene

Government, diplomatic or official individual permission

IrelandSpecial cases

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Explore pathways in Ireland Read the five questions ↓

What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

The programme is accreditation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (Protocol) of staff posted to a foreign diplomatic Mission under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR); accredited diplomatic agents and their family members (not Irish nationals) enjoy the VCDR privileges and immunities. The official source does not state why the programme exists.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured DFA guidelines state they are not legally binding and do not name an ISD immigration permission type for accredited staff.

Which specific population, role, circumstance or historical/legal situation does it cover?

Staff posted to a Mission: diplomatic agents (head of mission or diplomatic staff), and administrative and technical staff and service staff formally designated and notified by the sending State. Family members of diplomatic agents and of administrative and technical staff (if not Irish nationals, or for the latter not permanently resident in Ireland) enjoy VCDR privileges and immunities; family members of service staff do not enjoy VCDR immunities but may accompany them for the duration of the posting.

See recorded sources

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

A posting to a resident Mission: the Mission must notify Protocol of the officer's arrival no later than two weeks after arrival, using the Article 10 form with a Third Party Note naming the officer, VCDR category, family members and expected duration.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies-in-ireland/
    In the case of resident Missions, notification of arrival should be submitted to the Protocol Accreditation Desk (protocolaccreditationdesk@dfa.ie) as soon as possible and no later than two weeks following arrival. The notification should be sent using the relevant notification form ( Article 10 form ) accompanied by a Third Party Note including the following information: Name and VCDR category of the officer Name and VCDR category of the officer’s predecessor Name(s) of accompanying family members and their relationship to the officer (e.g. spouse/partner or child) The expected duration of the assignment

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

Visa-required staff and family must apply before travel for a single-entry Long Stay (D) visa; newly created posts require prior approval from the Department before the officer arrives.

See recorded sources

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

Protocol issues identity cards to the officer and family as proof of VCDR accreditation. Family covers one spouse/partner, unmarried children under 21 living with the parent, and unmarried children 21-25 in full-time Irish third-level education. Time spent notified under Article 10 is not reckonable residence for citizenship. On departure or termination of functions, identity cards must be returned. The official source does not state the immigration status label or its exact validity.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The immigration status label and exact validity are not stated in the captured guidelines; the guidelines are expressly not legally binding.
  • https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies-in-ireland/
    The information provided on the Article 10 form will be used to issue an identity card to the officer and family members as proof of their accreditation with the Department under the VCDR. See separate guidance note on Identity Cards for further information.
  • https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies-in-ireland/
    spouse or partner (same or opposite sex) (one only), provided that the sending state, via TPN or letter from its Foreign Ministry, confirms that it recognises that individual as a family member of the officer for the purposes of that officer’s assignment, and upon expectation of reciprocal treatment by the sending state where feasible; an unmarried child under the age of 21 who lives with their parent(s) in Ireland; and; an unmarried child between the age of 21 and 25 who lives with their parent(s) in Ireland and is in full-time education in an Irish third-level educational institution. In such cases, proof of enrolment must be presented to the Department of Foreign Affairs
  • https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies-in-ireland/
    Time spent in Ireland while notified under Article 10 of the VCDR is not reckonable as a period of residence for the purpose of acquiring citizenship.
  • https://www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/embassies-in-ireland/
    Identity cards for the officer and all accompanying family members must be returned to Protocol

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

Explore more pathways in Ireland · All pathways

Your story.
Your next step.

Explore pathways in Ireland →