Vetting and overseas police clearance timelines
Vetting
You are advised to apply for registration and vetting at least 12 weeks in advance of your planned return to or commencement of teaching.
In July 2025, the NVB, in line with the EU Directive 2011/93/EU, introduced additional child protection checks with the other 26 EU member states and the UK, to strengthen the protection of children. These additional checks only affect those who have resided in another EU state or the UK. While these additional checks strengthen child protection in the public interest, they will lead to increased vetting application turnaround timelines for those who have resided in another EU state or the UK.
The NVB processing times for vetting applications is an average of 14 working days, but timelines vary for each application as it depends on the necessary searches that the NVB must carry out as part of the process. The NVB are advising that the above changes will have the following impact on vetting application turnaround times:
- For applications requiring checks with an EU Country, allow for up to an additional 10 working days.
- For applications requiring checks with the UK, allow for up to an additional 20 working days.
The NVB have advised that these timelines are in line with established EU/UK policy and are outside the remit/control of the Garda NVB.
Overseas police clearance (applicants for registration only)
If you have spent a cumulative period of 12 months or more, (i.e. when you add all the periods of time together, it amounts to 12 months or more) outside of the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland after the age of 18, you must submit a copy of your national police clearance (not state clearance) for each country where you lived.
You are advised to seek the clearance as early as possible as this process can take time.
Please read our overseas police clearance page for more information.
Registration timelines for teachers qualified in the Republic of Ireland
The registration process may take up to 6 weeks from receipt of all application documentation, including vetting documentation, and depending on the time of year. You are advised to apply for registration in advance of your planned return to or commencement of teaching.
Registration timelines for teachers qualified outside of the Republic of Ireland
The assessment and registration process may take up to 12 weeks from receipt of all application documentation and depending on the time of year. You are advised to apply in advance of your planned return to or commencement of teaching.