GNIB appointments don't leave enough time to apply for EU1

[ryuzaki]

My wife recently arrived in Ireland as the spouse of an EEA citizen. We are trying to get her a residency card via EU1, but for that you need a PPS number, and to get a PPS number you need a GNIB card.

The earliest appointment for a GNIB card is in December, and it takes at least a week to come, and then the PPS number takes at least a week too. I don't think there is enough time to get it all sorted and apply for the EU1 and get the stamp before her visitor visa expires on January 1st.

I emailed the INIS Registration office in Dublin. Is there anything else we can do? Can we use a different office maybe? We live in Greystones so Dublin is our nearest office I think.

Thanks.

[WaterWrit]

I believe that new appointments are freed up daily, as people cancel. I can only suggest camping on the appointment page like a hawk, refreshing regularly, and jump on the first slot you see.

[ryuzaki]

Yeah, that's what I'm doing. But assuming I was only able to get an appointment for December...

[BabyJane]

Get help from someone who's good with computers. What a lot of people do is attach a web add-in onto the inis page, which lets them automatically show and book available appointments. There's loads on google about it.

[ryuzaki]

As we are outside of Dublin we can actually use a Guarda station. I'm going to arrange the appointment on Sunday by phone.

Anyone thinking of coming to Ireland, avoid Dublin or at least book your GNIB appointment 2-3 months in advance!