The short answer
ISD’s own FAQ answers this exact question. Appointment slots fill quickly, so the first free one can be weeks or months away. If no appointment is available within your 90 days, a booking made within 90 days of arriving is enough to stay until the appointment date. ISD tells people in this situation not to worry, but to book as soon as they arrive.
So the date that matters is the day you booked, not the day of the appointment.
Check your wait
Enter the day you arrived, the day you booked and your appointment date. You’ll see whether every stretch is covered, and what to know while you wait.
Waiting-period checker
Is the time between day 90 and your appointment covered?
Worked out in your browser: nothing you enter is sent to us or saved. We count the day you arrive as day 1. Guidance only, not legal advice.
What covers you, stage by stage
| Stage | What covers you | Keep with you |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival to day 90 | Your landing stamp, up to the date on it | Your passport with the stamp |
| Day 90 to your appointment | A booking made within your 90 days | Your booking confirmation, in your own name |
| From your appointment | Your registered permission | Your passport stamp, then your IRP card |
ISD’s stamps page adds that while you wait, you must be able to show you sought an appointment within the 90 days, and that you tried to register as soon as possible. That’s why the booking confirmation matters.
At the appointment, your passport is stamped with your permission. Your IRP card follows by post.
Getting an earlier appointment
- Slots are released on a rolling 90-day basis, so new dates keep appearing.
- ISD releases extra appointments when it can.
- You can move your appointment at any time to any other free date, with the reschedule option on the Customer Service Portal.
- Never pay for a slot. Booking is free, and ISD warns that third parties selling appointments are scams.
Travelling while you wait
ISD’s warning is for people who need a visa. If you don’t, check with ISD through its Customer Service Portal before you travel: your 90 days and your booking were based on this arrival.
Working while you wait
ISD doesn’t publish a single rule about working before your registration appointment. What’s clear:
- Your landing stamp’s conditions apply. The officer can set conditions on how long you stay and on working, and the law says you must keep to them.
- On Stamp 1, you can’t start a job until you or your employer has the employment permit.
- If you’re not sure, read the conditions on your stamp and ask ISD through its Customer Service Portal.
If you didn’t book in time
ISD’s assurance only covers bookings made within 90 days of arriving. If you booked later, or haven’t booked at all and your 90 days are up:
Common mix-ups
Common questions
My appointment is after my 90 days. Am I in Ireland unlawfully?
Not if you booked within 90 days of arriving. ISD says that if no appointment is available within 90 days, a booking made within the 90 days is enough to remain until the appointment date.
What if I booked after my 90 days were up?
ISD's assurance is about bookings made within 90 days of arriving. Contact ISD through its Customer Service Portal to explain, and get independent advice straight away.
Can I get an earlier appointment?
Slots are released on a rolling 90-day basis, and ISD releases extra appointments when it can. You can move your appointment to any other free date at any time with the reschedule option on the portal.
What should I keep as proof while I wait?
ISD says you must be able to show that you sought an appointment within the 90 days, and that you tried to register as soon as possible. Keep your booking confirmation with your passport and landing stamp. The appointment must be in your own name, or it won't be completed.
Can I travel before my appointment?
If you need a visa to enter Ireland and you leave before your registration appointment, you can't come back without a new entry visa. If you don't need a visa, check with ISD before you go.
Can I work while I wait for my appointment?
ISD doesn't publish one general rule. The conditions on your landing stamp apply and you must keep to them, and on Stamp 1 you can't start a job until you or your employer has the employment permit. If you're not sure, ask ISD through its Customer Service Portal.
Can I pay someone for an earlier slot?
No. Appointments are only booked on ISD's Customer Service Portal and booking is free. ISD warns that third parties selling appointments are scams with no real appointment to offer.
Sources
All sources checked on 2 Oct 2026.
- Frequently asked questions for registration (90 days, booking, earlier appointments)Immigration Service Delivery
- Registration Office appointment bookingImmigration Service Delivery
- Entry for non-EU, non-EEA, non-Swiss and non-UK nationals (at the border)Immigration Service Delivery
- Immigration permission stamps (Stamp 1 conditions; showing you sought an appointment)Immigration Service Delivery
- Immigration Act 2004, section 4 (conditions on a landing stamp)Law Reform Commission, Revised Acts