Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that it is open to persons who have been legally resident in Ireland for a minimum of five years as the holder of an employment permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to apply for Long Term Residency permission.

To qualify under this scheme, applicants must show legal residency in Ireland based on employment permit conditions as recorded by the corresponding Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 (issued by Immigration Service Delivery) in their passport, or expired Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards.

Successful applicants are granted a permission that allows them to work in Ireland for a further 5 years without the need for a further employment permit.

Further information on the scheme is available at Long Term Residency - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie).

With respect to visitor visas, each visa application is assessed on its own merits in accordance with the relevant policies and guidelines. I should point out that we have also extended the multi-entry visa option for up to 5 years for all visa required countries. It is open to any applicant to apply for a multi entry visa, which may assist in the circumstances referred to by the Deputy. Multiple entry visas are usually only issued to an applicant who has shown a compliant travel history.

The policy considerations underpinning decisions on applications for multiple entry visas are available here www.irishimmigration.ie/single-multiple-visas/.