‘It’s going nowhere’: Irish abroad complain of long waits for passports after UK rule change

Irish dual citizens living abroad are facing significant delays in obtaining Irish passports, a situation many attribute to recent UK rule changes requiring all Irish and UK citizens to hold a valid passport or a costly certificate of entitlement when traveling to the UK. Since February, dual citizens who previously could use foreign passports to enter the UK must now apply for Irish passports or pay about €680 for the certificate. This change has led to a surge in passport applications, particularly from Irish citizens residing in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, resulting in backlogs and long waiting times. Among those affected is Deborah Cunningham, an Irish-Australian living in Perth, who applied for her daughter’s first Irish passport in February ahead of a family trip to the UK. Despite an initial estimated processing time of two months, her application remained unprocessed for several months, with no contact made to a required witness. Online forums for Irish expatriates have been flooded with similar complaints, with many expressing frustration over the lack of communication from the Irish Passport Office and consular services, which are reportedly overwhelmed and difficult to reach. The delays have caused considerable stress, leading some to cancel planned holidays during the peak summer travel season. The Department of Foreign Affairs acknowledges the high volume of applications but maintains that current processing times align with seasonal projections. Officials also noted that the UK’s new travel requirements have only been in place for a short period, and it will take several months to fully assess their impact on passport demand. Meanwhile, Irish citizens abroad continue to face uncertainty and inconvenience, highlighting the challenges of adapting to new international travel regulations amid increased global mobility.