An asylum seeker is a person who is seeking protection in Ireland under the International Protection Act 2015.

If you wish to apply for asylum, you should tell an Immigration Official at the airport, or port of entry or you can apply at the Office of the International Protection, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, 79 -83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. DO2 ND99
Once you make an application for International Protection, you are legally resident in the State until a decision is made on your application.

There are two forms of International Protection

1. Refugee Status
2. Subsidiary Protection

The International Protection Office will also decide, on behalf of the Minister, whether or not Permission to Remain in the State should be granted on other grounds to unsuccessful applications for International Protection.

Since 2016 all applicants are considered for refugee status, subsidiary protection and leave to remain at the same time.

For more information go to: http://www.ipo.gov.ie

Accommodation

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) arranges accommodation for asylum seekers. The RIA accommodates asylum seekers at a reception centre in Dublin for an initial period of around 14 days. Then the person seeking asylum is accommodated in a Direct Provision Hostel.

For more information go to: http://www.ria.gov.ie

Asylum-Seekers’ Right to Employment

If you have been in the asylum process for 9 months or more and have not had a First Instance Recommendation, you are able to apply for permission to access the labour market.

Permission is for a period of six months and must be renewed every six months. This gives you the right to work in Ireland and includes self-employment. Should you be unsuccessful in your initial application for asylum your right to work will end immediately. If you are self-employed you should register with the revenue commission.

For more information go to: http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/asylum

The Information Pack from Direct Provision to Independent Living will give you all the information you need when moving from the hostel.

http://www.ria.gov.ie/en/RIA/GuidetoLivingIndependently.pdf/Files/GuidetoLivingIndependently.pdf

If you have been granted refugee status or a subsidiary protection declaration (International Protection Act 2015) you are entitled to bring certain family members to join you. You must make your application within 12 months of being granted a refugee declaration or a subsidiary protection declaration.

For Programme Refugees you must make your application within one year of your arrival in the country.

For more information go to: http://www.inis.gov.ie/