Updated to 5 December 2025 (Act No. 12 of 2025 and S.I. No. 587 of 2025)
All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.
Immigration Act 2004
No. 1 of 2004
Contents
Commencement
| Section | Commencement/Effective Date Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
|
Commencement Information |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Act | 13 February 2004 | Commenced on enactment |
Amendments and other effects
| How Affected | Affecting Provision | Affecting Provision Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
|
Commencement Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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. 1(1) amended | 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. 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. 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)(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(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. 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. 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)(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) deleted | 26/2014, ss. 1(5), 35(b) | Not yet commenced. Commencement order required under s. 1(5) | |
| 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(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. 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 | 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
| Section | SIs 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) (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) |