Brexit has not affected a UK national’s right to reside or work in Ireland as UK nationals continue to reside lawfully in the State under Common Travel Area protections.

The Withdrawal Agreement also ensures that UK nationals, and their non-EEA Family members, who are resident in Ireland pursuant to the Free Movement Regulations under EU law, as of the 31^st December 2020, will continue to hold the same right to reside and work deriving from the Regulations going forward.

The non- EEA family members of UK nationals resident in the State on or before the 31^st December 2020 were previously required to hold an Irish Residency Permit (IRP) card (usually referred to as the “EU Fam Residence card”). Since the 1^st January 2021, these family members residing in the State are now required to replace their existing IRP card with a Withdrawal Agreement Beneficiary (WAB) Card, in order to continue to reside lawfully in the State.

The WAB card is an important document that will evidence that the holder of the card is a beneficiary of the Withdrawal Agreement, which allows the UK national or their family member to continue to access all the rights deriving from the EU Free Movement Regulations, eg the right to reside, the right to work, the right to permanent residence, etc.

The family members of UK nationals who are resident in the State on or before the 31^st December 2020 are required to apply for the WAB card.

It is very important that the family members of UK nationals apply for the WAB card as soon as possible, because after the 31^st December 2021 their IRP card issued under the Regulations (the EU Fam residence card) will become invalid.

Applications for a WAB card are open since the 1st January 2021, and are being administered by the Immigration Service of the Department of Justice through and on-line renewal system available at https://inisonline.jahs.ie. This system applies to all applicants throughout Ireland.

All those affected will have until 31 December 2021 to apply for their WAB card.

When submitting an application, applicants will be asked to do the following:

• To confirm that you have been exercising EU Treaty Rights to reside in the State on or before 31 December 2020 and continue to do so.
• To upload proof of identity and proof of current residence. (passport bio-data page and utility bills)

The INIS website confirms there is no charge applicable for the replacement of the card. Once registration is complete the card will be sent the applicant by Express Post, within 5-10 days

Note that with Brexit coming into effect, the IRP expiry date of all existing non-EEA family members of a UK national reverts to the 31/12/2020 (instead of the expiry date on the current IRP card). This is the date to be included at Section 1.2 of the Online Application Form.

From 1^st January 2021, the IRP card (the EUFam Residence card) of all non-EEA family members of a UK national will no longer have a visa exemption effect which permitted them to travel within the EU. If any non- EEA family member of a UK national intends on travelling to another EU Member State after that date, they will need to check the visa requirements for that Member State before travelling.

It is matter of choice for UK nationals who were resident in the State on the 31^st December 2020 if they wish to apply for the WAB card. The benefit of applying for the WAB card is that it establishes their rights and entitlements deriving from the Withdrawal Agreement, as opposed to the British citizens who arrive in the State after the 31^st December 2020. UK nationals can apply for the WAB card by making an appointment at their local immigration office via the below link. We would highlight that the immigration offices are currently closed due to Covid 19 precautions, so it appears not to be possible for UK citizens to apply for the WAB card immediately.

http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/first-time-registration

If any UK nationals or their family members require further information on this matter, Berkeley Solicitors would be happy to advise.