Migrant workers paying 'unjustifiable fee for service that is failing them'
The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland is lobbying the government to reduce the 300 euro fee for Irish Residence Permit cards, citing high costs and long processing delays. The group argues the current system is financially burdensome for migrant workers and inefficient.
Why it matters
This highlights the intersection of immigration policy, administrative efficiency, and the economic impact of state-mandated fees on essential foreign workers.
Migrant workers are paying 300 for a card that costs the State 20.44 to produce, according to the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MCRI).
The group also said workers are then facing waits of up to 16 weeks for the card to arrive.
MCRI has called on the Government to reduce the fee for the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card and "significantly increase staffing" at the State's registration division.
The group said migrant workers are "paying an unjustifiable fee for a service that is currently failing them".
In its pre-budget submission for Budget 2027, MRCI is calling for the 300 IRP fee to be capped at 75 for first-time registrations and 55 for renewals. The card costs the State 20.44 to produce and deliver.
The IRP is paid annually by non-EU workers including healthcare assistants, chefs, agri-food workers and bus drivers.
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