Irish Passport Climbs to Fourth Place in Henley Passport Index
By Maeve McTaggart
Yesterday at 22:05
The Irish passport has made a significant jump from sixth to fourth place in the Henley Passport Index, which measures the passports of the world according to the number of countries their holders can travel to visa-free. This rise in ranking has been met with pride by Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who stated that it demonstrates the value and power of the Irish passport on an international level.
In recognition of this achievement, the Fianna Fáil leader also extended congratulations to the staff of the Passport Service, acknowledging their efforts in maintaining the integrity of the passport. Their work not only ensures that Irish citizens have access to a secure travel document but also addresses the challenges posed by increasing application numbers and the need for technological advancement.
Speaking about the ongoing success of the Passport Service, Martin emphasized that this year continues to be a busy one for them. He encouraged people to apply for passport renewals and new passports using the convenient online service, Passport Online. This service allows all Irish citizens, regardless of their location, to renew their passport book and passport card. Additionally, residents in over 70 countries worldwide can also apply for first-time passports online.
The popularity of Passport Online has soared, with over 90 percent of citizens now utilizing the platform due to its speed, affordability, and efficiency. The current turnaround time for an online simple adult renewal of a passport is 10 days, while the online child or complex adult renewal takes approximately 15 working days. For online first-time applications, whether for adults or children, the turnaround time is 20 working days. Alternatively, using the Post Passport via An Post service, the processing time is 8 weeks for both adult and child applications. If an application requires additional supporting documents, it will be processed within 15 working days from the date of receipt.
In conclusion, the rise of the Irish passport to fourth place in the Henley Passport Index is a testament to its global reputation and the efforts of the Passport Service in ensuring its integrity. The convenience and efficiency of Passport Online have made it the preferred method for passport applications among Irish citizens. With a commitment to technological advancement and meeting the demands of increasing application numbers, the Passport Service continues to provide secure travel documents for Irish citizens around the world.
Today’s News in 90 seconds – July 19th