What each document is
IRP (Irish Residence Permit)
Issued by the GNIB. Proves your immigration status — that you have permission to be in Ireland. Needed before most government bodies will deal with you as a non-EEA national.
PPS number
Issued by the Department of Social Protection. A personal tax and welfare reference number used across government. Required to work, pay tax, access social welfare, and many other purposes.
Which comes first
For most non-EEA nationals: IRP first, then PPS number. To apply for a PPS number, you must provide evidence of your right to be in Ireland — and for non-EEA nationals, that evidence is the IRP. Without a valid IRP, a PPS number application is difficult to process.
- Arrive in Ireland on correct visa
- Book and attend IRP registration within 90 days
- Use IRP to apply for PPS number at Intreo
- Use PPS number to register with Revenue, open bank accounts, access services
Exceptions
In some circumstances a PPS number can be obtained before an IRP — for example, for newborns, or for people in the international protection process. Asylum seekers have a dedicated DSP process and do not need an IRP to get a PPS number. For most working-age adults on standard visas, however, IRP comes first.
More IRP guides
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