Irish Refugee Protection Programme

Ireland's Resettlement Programme is a state-led pathway for refugees identified and referred by UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) from camps and countries of refuge. You do not apply directly to Ireland for resettlement—instead, UNHCR examines cases in designated countries, identifies those most in need, and refers them to the Irish government for final selection. Once admitted, you receive the same legal status and rights as refugees granted asylum through Ireland's standard asylum process. The programme is distinct from asylum: you are not arriving spontaneously to claim protection, but are pre-identified by UNHCR as having resettlement as your most appropriate durable solution.

Selection Missions

Once UNHCR refers your case to Ireland, Irish selection teams—comprising officials from the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and An Garda Síochána—will conduct in-person interviews in your country of refuge. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is consulted in advance if you have medical needs, to assess whether Ireland can provide appropriate treatment.

Interview and Security Screening

Your interview will:

• Verify information in your UNHCR dossier
• Confirm that all family members agree to resettlement
• Provide information on your rights and responsibilities in Ireland
• Gather details to help Irish service providers prepare for your arrival
• Assess whether there are any threats to public health, public order, or national security

All cases are referred for security clearance to the Irish police. In-person interviews are mandatory—no decisions are made on dossier basis alone.

Decision Timeline

Decisions are normally made within 3 months of your selection mission, though this may take longer.

Once admitted to Ireland under the resettlement programme, you receive the status of "programme refugee" under Irish law and have the same rights and entitlements as refugees granted status through the asylum system:

• Legal residence: You receive a residence permit granting you legal status to remain in Ireland
• Work rights: You are permitted to work and access employment support and training through the Department of Social Protection
• Education: Your children have access to compulsory mainstream education; you have access to English language training
• Healthcare: You receive a medical card, are assigned a GP, and have access to prescription medicines and hospital care
• Financial support: You receive weekly income payments and additional grants for household needs
• Housing: You are initially accommodated in Reception and Orientation Centres (ROCs) while you receive orientation; once you move to private housing, you receive 18 months of support from a local resettlement support worker
• Integration support: You receive language training, cultural orientation, and assistance accessing mainstream state services including employment, education, and social welfare
• Family reunification: You may apply to bring a spouse or minor unmarried children to Ireland, though significant changes are coming under the proposed International Protection Bill 2026 (see below)
• Path to citizenship: After 5 years of legal residence (under the International Protection Bill 2026; currently 3 years), you may apply for Irish citizenship, subject to good character requirements and other conditions

Important: Upcoming Changes to Family Reunification

The International Protection Bill 2026, which is expected to become law by 12 June 2026, will introduce substantial changes to family reunification for refugees:

• You will not be entitled to apply for family reunification for 2–3 years following your grant of international protection (the exact period is still being finalized; the government indicated in February 2026 it may be reduced to 2 years)
• You must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency assessed against income thresholds set by the Minister
• You must not be in receipt of certain social welfare payments or owe money relating to accommodation services

These changes will also extend the residency requirement for citizenship from 3 to 5 years and introduce new good character requirements.

International Protection Bill 2026

The International Protection Bill 2026 was published on 13 January 2026 and completed the upper house of parliament on 25 March 2026. It is expected to become law by 12 June 2026 and represents the most significant reform of Irish asylum and refugee law in the state's history.

Key provisions affecting resettled refugees include:

• Family reunification restrictions: As outlined above, a waiting period (2–3 years) before you can apply, plus financial self-sufficiency requirements
• Citizenship changes: Residency requirement extended from 3 to 5 years; new good character guidance; restrictions on social welfare receipt in the two years before applying
• Refugee status revocation: New powers to revoke refugee status if you are found to be a danger to state security or convicted of serious crimes
• Appeals: A new Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) will replace the existing appeals body

EU Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework Regulation

Ireland is bound by the Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework Regulation, which entered into force on 11 June 2024 and sets EU-wide standards for resettlement and humanitarian admission programmes.

Ireland also operates Community Sponsorship Ireland (CSI), a complementary resettlement stream established in 2018. Under this programme, refugees are identified and selected by UNHCR in the same way as traditional resettlement, but on arrival in Ireland, they are supported by a local community sponsor group rather than the state. The sponsor group provides housing and support for up to 2 years.

Important: Unlike some private sponsorship programmes in other countries, you cannot be nominated or identified by a specific sponsor. Refugees are selected by UNHCR and Irish authorities; sponsors then provide support once a family is assigned to them. The national support organization for CSI is the Irish Red Cross (communitysponsorship.ie).

Resettlement Is Not a Right

Resettlement is not a legal right. Being recognized as a refugee does not automatically mean you will be referred for resettlement. There is a vast gap between the number of refugees worldwide needing resettlement and the places made available by governments. Resettlement is available only to a small fraction of the world's refugee population.

No Onward Resettlement

There is no programme to resettle from Ireland to a third country. Once resettled to Ireland, that is your permanent destination under this pathway.

Family Members Abroad

If you have family members who are refugees in another country and you are already in Ireland, UNHCR Ireland cannot help them be resettled to Ireland. They must contact the UNHCR office in their country of refuge. UNHCR Ireland cannot influence the selection process or request specific individuals or families be resettled.

Fraud and Scams

• Do not pay anyone for UNHCR or resettlement services. All UNHCR services are free. If asked for money or sexual favours in exchange for services, report it immediately to UNHCR or the police.
• Misrepresenting family composition or providing false information is fraud. If discovered after resettlement, fraud can result in cancellation of your residence permission and deportation.

Integration Support Is Time-Limited

While you receive comprehensive support including housing, language training, and employment assistance, resettlement support from a local worker lasts only 18 months after you move to private housing. Plan for self-sufficiency after this period.

Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP):

• Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration
• Website: gov.ie

International Protection Office (IPO):

• 78-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin D02 ND99, Ireland
• Phone: +353 1 616 7000
• Email: [email protected]
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00–14:30

UNHCR (for refugees outside Ireland):

• If you are a refugee in another country, contact the UNHCR office where you are registered
• UNHCR office locator: unhcr.org/en-au/where-we-work.html

Civil Society Support:

• Irish Refugee Council: irishrefugeecouncil.ie
• Irish Red Cross (Community Sponsorship): communitysponsorship.ie | 1800 753 343
• Nasc (Irish Immigrant Support Centre): nascireland.org
• Doras: doras.org