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Updated to 29 May 2026 (Act No. 11 of 2026 and S.I. No. 217 of 2026)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Immigration Act 2004
No. 1 of 2004

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement Commencement Information
Whole Act 13 February 2004 Commenced on enactment

Amendments and other effects

How Affected Affecting Provision Commencement Commencement Source
S. 1(1) amended 9/2026, s. 303(a)
  19/2022, ss. 2(1), 28 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
  26/2014, ss. 1(5), 35(a) Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(5)
S. 1 (1) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 26, sch. 1 ref. 22 Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(2)
S. 2(1A) inserted 33/2017, S. 10 13 December 2017 Commenced on enactment
S. 2(2)(d) amended 23/2020, ss. 2(1)(i), 113(a) 31 December 2020 Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (Parts 17, 18, 19 and 20) (Commencement) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 693 of 2020), art. 2
S. 2(2)(e) amended 23/2020, ss. 2(1)(i), 113(b) 31 December 2020 Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (Parts 17, 18, 19 and 20) (Commencement) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 693 of 2020), art. 2
S. 2(2)(f) inserted 23/2020, ss. 2(1)(i), 113(c) 31 December 2020 Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (Parts 17, 18, 19 and 20) (Commencement) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 693 of 2020), art. 2
S. 3(7), (8) ins. 66/2015, ss. 1(2), 81(a) 10 March 2016 International Protection Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 133 of 2016), art 2(c)
S. 3(8) amended 9/2026, s. 303(b)
S. 4(3)(b) amended 17/2024, ss. 1(2), 77(a) 2 September 2024 Employment Permits Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 443 of 2024), art. 2(c)
S. 4(3)(b) ins. 66/2015, ss. 1(2), 81(b) 10 March 2016 International Protection Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 133 of 2016), art 2(c)
S. 4(3)(f)(ii), (iii) amended 9/2026, s. 303(c)(i)(I), (II)
S. 4(3)(f)(iv) inserted 9/2026, s. 303(c)(i)(III)
S. 4(3)(k) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 47(a) 31 July 2023 Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 389 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S. 4(3)(l)(i) amended 9/2026, s. 303(c)(ii)
S. 4(5)(c)(i) amended with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 29, 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 4(7) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 47(b) 31 July 2023 Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 389 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S. 5(1) am. 66/2015, ss. 1(2), 81(c) 10 March 2016 International Protection Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 133 of 2016), art 2(c)
S. 5(3)(c) amended 9/2026, s. 303(d)(i)
S. 5(3)(d) amended 9/2026, s. 303(d)(ii)
S. 5(3)(e) inserted 9/2026, s. 303(d)(iii)
S. 6(2) del. 66/2015, ss. 1(2), 81(d)(i) 10 March 2016 International Protection Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 133 of 2016), art 2(c)
S. 6(5)-(12) ins. 66/2015, ss. 1(2), 81(d)(ii) 10 March 2016 International Protection Act 2015 (Commencement) (No. 2) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 133 of 2016), art 2(c)
S. 7(3)(b) substituted 9/2026, s. 303(e)(i)
S. 7(3)(ba)-(bd) inserted 9/2026, s. 303(e)(i)
S. 7(5) inserted 9/2026, s. 303(e)(ii)
S. 9(2) substituted with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 30(a), 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 9(2)(a) amended 9/2026, s. 303(f)(i)
S. 9(2)(e) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 26, sch. 1 ref. 22 Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(2)
S. 9(3) substituted with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 30(b), 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 9(3) amended with transitional provisions 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 4(1), 13, 26, sch. 1 ref. 22 Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(2)
S. 9(4) amended with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 30(c), 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 9(4A) inserted with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 30(d), 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 9(6)(a) amended 9/2026, s. 303(f)(ii)(I)
S. 9(6)(a) deleted 26/2014, ss. 1(5), 35(b) Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(5)
S. 9(6)(b) amended 9/2026, s. 303(f)(ii)(II)
S. 9(7A) inserted with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 30(e), 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 9(7B)-(7D) inserted 9/2026, s. 303(f)(iii)
S. 9(8) amended with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 30(f), 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 9A inserted 26/2014, ss. 1(5), 35(c) Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(5)
S. 9B inserted with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 31, 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 11 substit. 23/2011, s. 34(a) 2 August 2011 Commenced on enactment
S.11(5) substituted 23/2020, ss. 2(1)(i), 114 31 December 2020 Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 (Parts 17, 18, 19 and 20) (Commencement) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 693 of 2020), art. 2
S. 12 substit. 23/2011, s. 34(b) 2 August 2011 Commenced on enactment
S. 12 declared unconstitutional Dokie v. Director of Public Prosecutions (Garda Morley) [2011] 1 IR 805; [2010] IEHC 110 paras. 46-48
S. 13(2) amended 17/2024, ss. 1(2), 77(b) 2 September 2024 Employment Permits Act 2024 (Commencement) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 443 of 2024), art. 2(c)
S. 14 substit. 26/2014, ss. 1(5), 35(d) 13 November 2014 Employment Permits (Amendment) Act 2014 (section 35(d)) (Commencement) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 522 of 2014), art. 2
S. 14(1)(a) 7/2022, ss. 1(2), 5(1), sch. 3 ref. 5 Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(2)
S. 14(1)(b)(ii) amended with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 32, 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 17A inserted 8/2019, ss. 2(1)(i), 97 15 July 2019 Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019 (Part 14) (Commencement) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 346 of 2019), art. 2
S. 17A(3) amended 9/2026, s. 303(g)
S. 18(1)(a) amended 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 48(a)(i) 31 July 2023 Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 389 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S. 18(1)(b) amended 9/2026, s. 303(h)
  18/2023, ss. 1(4), 48(a)(ii) 31 July 2023 Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 389 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S. 18(1)(b) amended with transitional provisions 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 33, 40(1) 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
S. 18(1)(c) inserted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 48(a)(iii) 31 July 2023 Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 389 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S. 18(1A) inserted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 48(b) 31 July 2023 Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 389 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S. 18(2) substituted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 48(c) 31 July 2023 Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 389 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S. 18(3) inserted 18/2023, ss. 1(4), 48(c) 31 July 2023 Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2023 (Commencement) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 389 of 2023), art. 3(h)
S. 19 substit. 23/2011, s. 34(c) 2 August 2011 Commenced on enactment
S. 19(5A) inserted 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 34 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
Sch. 2, para. 8 amended 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 35 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
Sch. 2, para. 11 amended 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 35 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2
Sch. 2, para. 12 amended 19/2022, ss. 2(1), 35 22 July 2022 Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (Parts 1, 4, 5 and 8) (Commencement) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 370 of 2022), art. 2

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 6(2) Immigration Act 2004 (Approved Ports) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 57 of 2004)
S. 9(5) Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 340 of 2008)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 95 of 2004)
S. 17 Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2026 (S.I. No. 17 of 2026)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 164 of 2025)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 68 of 2025)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 335 of 2024)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 58 of 2024)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2023 (S.I. No. 442 of 2023)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 533 of 2022)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 364 of 2022)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 86 of 2022)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 6) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 746 of 2021)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 5) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 643 of 2021)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 4) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 640 of 2021)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 538 of 2021)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2021 (S.I. No. 287 of 2021)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2021. (S.I. No. 23 of 2021)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 729 of 2020)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 262 of 2020)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2018 (S.I. No. 17 of 2018)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2017 (S.I. No. 264 of 2017)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2016 (S.I. No. 502 of 2016)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 513 of 2015)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2015 (S.I. No. 175 of 2015)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 195 of 2014)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2014 (S.I. No. 473 of 2014)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (Amendment) Order 2013 (S.I. No. 428 of 2013)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2012 (S.I. No. 417 of 2012)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (No. 2) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 345 of 2011)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2011 (S.I. No. 146 of 2011)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (No. 2) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 453 of 2009)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2009 (S.I. No. 239 of 2009)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) (No. 2) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 657 of 2006)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2006 (S.I. No. 227 of 2006)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2005 (S.I. No. 363 of 2005)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Visas) Order 2004 (S.I. No. 56 of 2004)
S. 19 Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 421 of 2025)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 667 of 2022)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 403 of 2021)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 277 of 2017)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Immigrant Investor Programme) (Application for Permission)(Fee) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 10 of 2017)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Student Probationary Extension) (Giving of Permission) (Fee) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 133 of 2015)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Atypical Working Scheme) (Application for Permission) (Fee) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 324 of 2013)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 444 of 2012)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme) (Application for Permission) (Fee) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 259 of 2012)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Immigrant Investor Programme) (Application for Permission) (Fee) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 258 of 2012)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 449 of 2011)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Travel Document Fee) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 403 of 2011)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 336 of 2008)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 253 of 2006)
S. 19(1)(a) Long Term Residency (Fees) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 287 of 2009)
S. 20 Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 421 of 2025)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 667 of 2022)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (S.I. No. 403 of 2021)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) (Amendment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 277 of 2017)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Immigrant Investor Programme) (Application for Permission)(Fee) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 10 of 2017)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Student Probationary Extension) (Giving of Permission) (Fee) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 133 of 2015)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Atypical Working Scheme) (Application for Permission) (Fee) Regulations 2013 (S.I. No. 324 of 2013)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 444 of 2012)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Start-Up Entrepreneur Programme) (Application for Permission) (Fee) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 259 of 2012)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Immigrant Investor Programme) (Application for Permission) (Fee) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 258 of 2012)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 449 of 2011)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Travel Document Fee) Regulations 2011 (S.I. No. 403 of 2011)
  Long Term Residency (Fees) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 287 of 2009)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 340 of 2008)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 336 of 2008)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate Fee) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 253 of 2006)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Approved Ports) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 57 of 2004)
  Immigration Act 2004 (Registration Certificate) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 95 of 2004)