Eligibility Quiz
Application Process
You apply for subsidiary protection in person at the International Protection Office (IPO), either at the port of entry when you arrive in Ireland or at one of the IPO's Dublin offices. There are no online applications for this pathway. The process involves several stages: an initial application, a preliminary interview to check admissibility, biometric registration, completion of a detailed questionnaire, a personal interview where you explain your claim, examination by the IPO, and finally a decision by the Minister.
Where to Apply
You must go to one of these locations:
- Citywest Convention Centre, Dublin 24: If you have children under 18, or if you are a national of Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Egypt, Georgia, India, Kosovo, Malawi, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Serbia, or South Africa
- Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2: If you are an unaccompanied minor or a national of any other country
You can apply either when you arrive at the airport or seaport, or by visiting the IPO office directly.
Step 1: Initial Application and Preliminary Interview
When you arrive at the IPO, you will have a preliminary interview. The officer will ask you:
- Whether you wish to apply for international protection and on what grounds
- Your identity and nationality
- Your country of origin or former habitual residence
- How you travelled to Ireland and what transport you used
- Why you came to Ireland
- Your legal basis for entry or presence in the State
Important: Your application will not be admitted if another EU member state has already granted you refugee status or subsidiary protection, or if you were recognised as a refugee in a non-EU country and can still use that protection.
Step 2: Biometric Registration
Your fingerprints and photograph will be taken for identity verification. These are checked against EURODAC (the EU fingerprint database) and visa databases. If you are under 14, fingerprints are only taken with a parent or responsible adult present.
Step 3: Receive Your Temporary Residence Certificate
Once you are admitted to the process, you will receive a Temporary Residence Certificate (TRC). This is your proof that you have applied for protection and permission to remain in Ireland while your application is examined.
Step 4: Complete the Questionnaire
You must complete the International Protection Questionnaire (IPO 2), a detailed form asking about your claim. This is a critical document—complete it thoroughly with all relevant information supporting why you need protection. You can submit supporting documents with this form or later, but do not delay providing evidence.
Step 5: Personal Interview
The IPO will invite you to a personal interview. This is your opportunity to explain in detail why you left your country and why you fear returning.
What to expect:
- The interview will be conducted in a language you understand
- A written record is made and read back to you so you can correct any errors
- You must attend unless you have exceptional reasons (such as serious illness), in which case you must provide medical evidence from your doctor
- If you fail to attend without reasonable explanation within 3 working days, the IPO will make a decision based only on the information you have already submitted
- Your legal representative may attend to observe and make submissions at the start and end of the interview
Step 6: IPO Examination
The IPO examines your application to determine first whether you qualify as a refugee. If not, they assess whether you qualify for subsidiary protection. The IPO prepares a written report with findings and a recommendation.
Step 7: Ministerial Decision
The IPO's recommendation goes to the Ministerial Decisions Unit of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. The Minister makes the final decision on whether to grant you a subsidiary protection declaration.
Step 8: Appeal (if Refused)
If the IPO recommends refusal of both refugee status and subsidiary protection, you can appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). The time limit for appeal will be specified in your recommendation letter.
Note: Under the new International Protection Bill 2026 (becoming operational by 12 June 2026), IPAT will be replaced by the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA).
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Application for subsidiary protection | Free |
| Accommodation (IPAS full board) | Free |
| Legal aid from Legal Aid Board | Free |
Total estimate: €0
Does not include: Private legal representation (if you choose a private solicitor or barrister instead of using the Legal Aid Board), private accommodation (if you choose not to use IPAS), translation of documents (if required), or any costs related to obtaining documents from your country of origin.
Processing Time
Current processing times (as of March 2026): The median time from application to first-instance decision is approximately 16 months, though this varies significantly depending on the complexity of your case and your country of origin.
Labour market access: If you have not received a first-instance recommendation within 6 months, you may apply for labour market permission, which allows you to work for 12 months (renewable until a final decision is made).
Family reunification: If your application is granted, family reunification applications currently take 12 to 18 months to process. However, proposed amendments to the International Protection Bill 2026 may extend the waiting period before you can apply for family reunification from immediately upon grant to two years after protection is granted.
Travel documents: If you are granted subsidiary protection and need a travel document (because you cannot obtain a national passport), processing takes 20 weeks.
Future Processing Times (from 12 June 2026)
Once the International Protection Bill 2026 becomes operational, processing times will be:
- Standard procedure: 6 months to first-instance decision
- Border and accelerated procedures: 3 months to first-instance decision (with a further 3 months for return where appropriate)
- Dublin/inadmissible/subsequent applications: 2 months
Applicants from designated safe countries of origin (currently: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and South Africa; from 12 June 2026 also: Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Tunisia) may face accelerated processing with decisions in less than 60 days from application to final decision.