NDLS - I need advice

MacoSW

Hi all,
I recently passed my driving test, but have been unable to get my full drivers licence because the only proof residence that they will accept from me is the GNIB Card (I'm non-EEU).
Here is my situation, my citizenship application has been successful so the next step was for me to give them my Card and wait until the next ceremony. For that reason I don't and won't have that card anymore. I have every possible evidence you can think of and both NDLS and RSA are replying my emails with templates.
Anybody has any advice on what can I do?
I really need a licence ASAP to go help out my mom (she starts the toughest few months of brain cancer treatment next week) so I can't to wait until the next ceremony.
Thanks!!

fritzelly

Give the RSA a call, not email, and have a chat with them
They will likely recite the same conditions but they will know best if they will accept something else in place proving citizenship like a headed letter or something.

MacoSW

fritzelly wrote: »

Give the RSA a call, not email, and have a chat with them
They will likely recite the same conditions but they will know best if they will accept something else in place proving citizenship like a headed letter or something.

Hi, thanks for your help. I called RSA and directed me to NDLS. And NDLS said that it's not them, it's RSA that would not accept something other than the Garda card.
By the way, I am not an Irish Citizen, and will not be until I attend a ceremony. The next one could be in 6 months or so.

I think I'll go to a solicitor after new year. I wanted to avoid this since it's such a stupid thing, but I can't seem to be able to talk to someone helpful.

J_R

MacoSW wrote: »

Hi all,
I recently passed my driving test, but have been unable to get my full drivers licence because the only proof residence that they will accept from me is the GNIB Card (I'm non-EEU).
Here is my situation, my citizenship application has been successful so the next step was for me to give them my Card and wait until the next ceremony. For that reason I don't and won't have that card anymore. I have every possible evidence you can think of and both NDLS and RSA are replying my emails with templates.
Anybody has any advice on what can I do?
I really need a licence ASAP to go help out my mom (she starts the toughest few months of brain cancer treatment next week) so I can't to wait until the next ceremony.
Thanks!!

hi,

The GNIB is no longer used in Ireland

From 11 December 2017 the previous registration certificate (GNIB card) has been phased out and replaced by the new Irish Residence Permit

You can now apply for your licence on line @ https://ndls.rsa.ie/
So, if you have retained a scanned copy of your Residence card am sure it would would be acceptable ?

This way, you don't need the actual physical card.

zepman

J_R wrote: »

hi,

The GNIB is no longer used in Ireland

Pretty sure OP meant IRP (people still use the term "GNIB" informally since the IRP was only introduced a couple of years ago).

You can now apply for your licence on line @ https://ndls.rsa.ie/

Isn't the online service only for renewals (and not for first-time applications)? Besides, I don't know if the online system allows non-EU/EEA folks through. I am originally from a non-EU country but have been an Irish citizen for about 3 years now. This time last year, when I had to renew my learner permit, I tried to do it online first, but got back a message saying I had to apply in person at an NDLS office and show proof of residency. I was told at the NDLS office that my PSC still had me down as a non-EU citizen.

So, if you have retained a scanned copy of your Residence card am sure it would would be acceptable?

This way, you don't need the actual physical card.

Yeah, providing a copy of the card seems to be the only way to go ahead here.

@OP
I would make an appointment at an NDLS centre for the renewal (or simply do a walk-in), explain the situation and present the following as residency proof.
1) Copy of the IRP card (hopefully you have retained a scan/copy of it).
2) A letter from the INIS explaining that they have the original card as part of the naturalisation process, etc.
3) Passport page that shows the current INIS residency stamp. This stamp is placed when the IRP is issued and shows the same "permission to reside" date as the IRP.

Doing this face-to-face might be easier and if they are okay with accepting the above documents, you will actually walk out with the application successfully made.

J_R

zepman wrote: »

Pretty sure OP meant IRP (people still use the term "GNIB" informally since the IRP was only introduced a couple of years ago).



Isn't the online service only for renewals (and not for first-time applications)? Besides, I don't know if the online system allows non-EU/EEA folks through. I am originally from a non-EU country but have been an Irish citizen for about 3 years now. This time last year, when I had to renew my learner permit, I tried to do it online first, but got back a message saying I had to apply in person at an NDLS office and show proof of residency. I was told at the NDLS office that my PSC still had me down as a non-EU citizen.

Hi,

Sorry, somehow missed the word "Renew" in the notice on the NDLS website

Due to increased demand in the NDLS centres a more convenient way to renew an Irish licence or learner permit may be to apply online

and

@OP
I would make an appointment at an NDLS centre for the renewal (or simply do a walk-in), explain the situation and present the following as residency proof.
1) Copy of the IRP card (hopefully you have retained a scan/copy of it).
2) A letter from the INIS explaining that they have the original card as part of the naturalisation process, etc.
3) Passport page that shows the current INIS residency stamp. This stamp is placed when the IRP is issued and shows the same "permission to reside" date as the IRP.

Doing this face-to-face might be easier and if they are okay with accepting the above documents, you will actually walk out with the application successfully made.

Very good advice. Would add if the OP requests the explanatory letter from the INIS he should also request a certified copy of the card.

zepman

J_R wrote: »

Very good advice. Would add if the OP requests the explanatory letter from the INIS he should also request a certified copy of the card.

Absolutely.

@OP
From what I hear, the INIS can be very slow to respond to emails and it is also supposedly difficult to get through to them over the phone. If you're finding that this is true, then, you might want to try your luck using the letter of approval of your naturalisation application, which asks for the IRP card to be sent over. Just walk into an NDLS centre with all your documents and join the queue. Depending on the day and time, the wait can be surprisingly short.

Even if they don't accept it, you will at least be more likely to get helpful advice as to what you can do in your situation.

J_R

Hi

OK, according to a poster here :- https://www.immigrationboards.com/ireland/travel-without-irp-while-waiting-for-citizenship-ceremony-t294809.html

producing the approval letter or a copy of your naturalisation certificate is good enough for immigration so should also satisfy the NDLS.

MacoSW

zepman wrote: »

Pretty sure OP meant IRP (people still use the term "GNIB" informally since the IRP was only introduced a couple of years ago).



Isn't the online service only for renewals (and not for first-time applications)? Besides, I don't know if the online system allows non-EU/EEA folks through. I am originally from a non-EU country but have been an Irish citizen for about 3 years now. This time last year, when I had to renew my learner permit, I tried to do it online first, but got back a message saying I had to apply in person at an NDLS office and show proof of residency. I was told at the NDLS office that my PSC still had me down as a non-EU citizen.




Yeah, providing a copy of the card seems to be the only way to go ahead here.

@OP
I would make an appointment at an NDLS centre for the renewal (or simply do a walk-in), explain the situation and present the following as residency proof.
1) Copy of the IRP card (hopefully you have retained a scan/copy of it).
2) A letter from the INIS explaining that they have the original card as part of the naturalisation process, etc.
3) Passport page that shows the current INIS residency stamp. This stamp is placed when the IRP is issued and shows the same "permission to reside" date as the IRP.

Doing this face-to-face might be easier and if they are okay with accepting the above documents, you will actually walk out with the application successfully made.

J_R wrote: »

Hi

OK, according to a poster here :- https://www.immigrationboards.com/ireland/travel-without-irp-while-waiting-for-citizenship-ceremony-t294809.html

producing the approval letter or a copy of your naturalisation certificate is good enough for immigration so should also satisfy the NDLS.

Hi,
Forgot to thank you for your advice back at the moment. I urgently needed my drivers licence to go help out my mom in her cancer treatment and once I solved it I dedicated myself to her. 1 year too late, but hopefully you will see this.

I couldn't get my drivers licence by any mean, so I got a solicitor to go to NDLS with me and he got it sorted. Also he didn't charge me which was good.

zepman

MacoSW wrote: »

Hi,
Forgot to thank you for your advice back at the moment. I urgently needed my drivers licence to go help out my mom in her cancer treatment and once I solved it I dedicated myself to her. 1 year too late, but hopefully you will see this.

I couldn't get my drivers licence by any mean, so I got a solicitor to go to NDLS with me and he got it sorted. Also he didn't charge me which was good.

No worries. Glad to hear you got it sorted.

For the sake of others in a similar position who might stumble across this thread, I'd imagine you were still required to show some proof of residence even if you had a solicitor with you?

MacoSW

Funny enough, at the same time I was having this issue another man had the exact same one. My coworkers showed it to me because he was in the news and got a €5.000 compensation for discrimination. I don't qualify for that kind of settlement given that my name, looks and ancestry is Irish.
Yes I was required to show proof of residence. I gave them everything that was needed. We had certified copies of everything, included the Residence card.
A coworker of mine was born in Argentina to Italian parents and had a similar issue, because he put Argentina as "country of birth" (but Italian as nationality) they wouldn't do his licence with his Italian passport, they wanted also an Argentinian one, which he didn't have.
He just went to another office. I think I just got a bad combination of untrained staff and unwilling contact center employees.

Also, I got a nice letter of apology from RSA, coming from their Mayo office.