International protection strand of scheme for undocumented migrants opens

Helen McEntee

Applications for this separate international protection strand are being accepted for six months until 7 August 2022, when the strand will close.

The International Protection Office (IPO) of the department has begun contacting potentially eligible applicants with further details. 

Opening the international protection strand, Ms McEntee said: “I am delighted to now be able to open the international protection strand of the scheme for long-term undocumented migrants. This separate strand allows international protection applicants who have an outstanding application for international protection and have been in the asylum process for a minimum of two years to apply. There is no fee for making an application under this dedicated strand of the scheme.

“I am conscious of the recommendation made by the Expert Advisory Group, led by Dr Catherine Day, regarding people who have been in the protection process for two years or more. This approach is in line with that recommendation, and will help to clear the backlog of current cases.

“The Government is keen to ensure that we address any legacy asylum cases so that the new system envisaged under the White Paper can come into operation in 2024. I am committed to reducing processing times of both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months respectively, which will ultimately benefit everyone in the protection process.”

 Applicants who are eligible under the international protection strand of the scheme:

•     must be a current applicant for international protection in the State;
•     must be in the international protection application process for at least two years immediately prior to 7 February 2022;
•     will be granted a Stamp 4 immigration permission that allows for unrestricted access to the labour market; and
•     will have years of residence with that permission reckonable for the purposes of pursuing Irish citizenship by way of naturalisation.

Applicants must meet standards regarding good character and criminal record/behaviour and not pose a threat to the State. Having convictions for minor offences will not, by itself, result in disqualification.

Further details regarding the qualifying criteria, the required documentation, and how to apply for the international protection strand is available on the IPO’s website.