Humanitarian Protection
Reviewed by the Commoner Law Editorial Team. Sourced from Irish Acts of the Oireachtas, statutory instruments, and official guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Ireland's asylum and protection system is governed by the International Protection Act 2015, which introduced a single application procedure for assessing claims for refugee status, subsidiary protection, and permission to remain. Applications are made to the International Protection Office (IPO), and appeals go to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). Ireland does not have a formal cap on asylum applications.
Applicants for international protection receive an IPO temporary residence certificate and are provided with accommodation and basic needs through the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS), formerly known as Direct Provision. Since June 2018, applicants who have not received a first-instance decision within 5 months have the right to apply for a labour market access permission to work. Recognised refugees and subsidiary protection holders receive Stamp 4 permission and can access the same social welfare, healthcare, and education services as Irish citizens.
When does it apply?
This applies when:
- You are in Ireland or at an Irish port of entry and need protection from persecution or serious harm
- You want to understand the international protection application process
- You are an applicant for international protection and want to know your rights
- You have received a protection decision and want to understand what comes next
Key protections:
- Refugee status: For those with a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group (Geneva Convention grounds). If granted: Stamp 4 permission, right to work, access to social welfare, healthcare, education, and family reunification rights under section 56.
- Subsidiary protection: For those who face a real risk of serious harm (death penalty, torture, inhuman treatment, or serious threat to life from armed conflict) but do not meet the refugee definition. Same rights as refugees upon grant: Stamp 4, work, social welfare, healthcare, and family reunification under section 56.
- Permission to remain: Under section 49 of the International Protection Act 2015, if neither refugee status nor subsidiary protection is granted, the Minister may give permission to remain on humanitarian grounds (family ties, private life, character, employment, etc.). This is discretionary and provides Stamp 4 permission.
- Labour market access: Applicants who have not received a first-instance recommendation from the IPO within 5 months can apply for labour market access permission. This allows employment in nearly any sector (some restrictions on certain public service roles). Application fee: EUR 0 (free). Valid for 6 months, renewable.
- Accommodation and support: IPAS provides accommodation, meals, and a weekly personal allowance (currently EUR 38.80 per adult and EUR 29.80 per child per week) to applicants who need it. Applicants can choose to live independently if they have the means.
- Single procedure: The 2015 Act introduced a single application procedure. One application is assessed simultaneously for refugee status, subsidiary protection, and permission to remain, rather than the old sequential system. This is intended to reduce processing times.
What to Do If You Need to Apply for Asylum or International Protection in Ireland
Step 1: Make your protection application at the International Protection Office (IPO), 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, or declare your intention to apply at a port of entry (airport or seaport). You will be given an IPO temporary residence certificate and a questionnaire to complete.
Step 2: Complete the IPO questionnaire thoroughly and return it within the deadline (usually 15 working days, but extensions can be requested). The questionnaire asks for details about your identity, travel route, and reasons for seeking protection. Write as much detail as possible about why you fear returning to your home country.
Step 3: Get legal representation. Free legal aid is available through the Legal Aid Board's International Protection legal service. Contact the Legal Aid Board at legalaidboard.ie or call (066) 947 1000. You can also contact the Irish Refugee Council at irishrefugeecouncil.ie or UNHCR Ireland.
Step 4: Attend your personal interview at the IPO. This is the most important step in the process. An IPO caseworker will ask detailed questions about your claim. You have the right to an interpreter in your language. Bring any supporting evidence: documents from your home country, medical reports, country-of-origin information, photographs, and witness statements.
Step 5: If your application has been with the IPO for more than 5 months without a first-instance decision, apply for labour market access permission. Complete the application form and submit it to the Labour Market Access Unit. You can work in most occupations while your application is pending.
Step 6: If your application is refused at first instance, you can appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) within 15 working days. The appeal is a rehearing of your case. Your legal aid lawyer can help prepare the appeal. If the appeal is unsuccessful, you may be able to seek judicial review in the High Court on points of law.
What should you NOT do?
Don't delay making your application. While Ireland does not have a strict deadline for protection applications, delays in applying after arrival are used by the IPO to question credibility. If you had the opportunity to apply earlier and did not, you will be asked to explain the delay.
Don't provide false information or documents. Credibility is the cornerstone of protection applications. If the IPO or IPAT finds that you have been dishonest about material facts, your entire application will be undermined. Be truthful about everything, including how you arrived in Ireland and your travel route.
Don't miss IPO or IPAT deadlines. The questionnaire must be returned on time, and appeals must be filed within 15 working days of the IPO decision. Missing these deadlines can result in your application being deemed withdrawn or your appeal being struck out.
Don't return to your country of origin. Returning to the country you claim to be fleeing undermines the basis of your protection claim and can result in cessation of your refugee status. Even travelling to a neighbouring country can raise questions about the genuineness of your fear.
Don't work without labour market access permission. International protection applicants cannot work until 5 months have passed without a first-instance decision and they have received a labour market access permission. Working without this permission is a breach of your conditions and can affect your application.
Common Questions
When does it apply — humanitarian protection?
This applies when:You are in Ireland or at an Irish port of entry and need protection from persecution or serious harmYou want to understand the international protection application processYou are an applicant for international protection and want to know your rightsYou have received a protection decision and want to understand what comes nextKey protections:Refugee status: For those with a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group (Geneva Convention grounds). If granted: Stamp 4 permission, right to wor...
What should I do if I have arrived in Ireland and need to apply for asylum or refugee status?
Step 1: Make your protection application at the International Protection Office (IPO), 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2, or declare your intention to apply at a port of entry (airport or seaport). You will be given an IPO temporary residence certificate and a questionnaire to complete.Step 2: Complete the IPO questionnaire thoroughly and return it within the deadline (usually 15 working days, but extensions can be requested). The questionnaire asks for details about your identity, travel route, and reasons for seeking protection. Write as much detail as possible about why you fear returning...
What should you NOT do — humanitarian protection?
Don't delay making your application. While Ireland does not have a strict deadline for protection applications, delays in applying after arrival are used by the IPO to question credibility. If you had the opportunity to apply earlier and did not, you will be asked to explain the delay.Don't provide false information or documents. Credibility is the cornerstone of protection applications. If the IPO or IPAT finds that you have been dishonest about material facts, your entire application will be undermined. Be truthful about everything, including how you arrived in Ireland and your travel route....
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