Refugee status under the single international-protection procedure

IrelandHumanitarian protection

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Explore pathways in Ireland Read the five questions ↓

What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

Refugee status is one of the forms of international protection (also called asylum) examined by the International Protection Office, which assesses whether applicants qualify for refugee status or subsidiary protection under Irish and EU law.

See recorded sources

https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/before-you-apply/
International protection is also called asylum.
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/before-you-apply/
In Europe, international protection can take different forms, including: Refugee status
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/about-ipo/
We assess whether applicants qualify for refugee status or subsidiary protection under Irish and EU law.

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

People who cannot return to their country of origin because they fear persecution or face a real risk of serious harm, and who cannot be protected by their own country.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The captured IPO pages do not set out the specific legal test that separates refugee status from subsidiary protection.

https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/before-you-apply/
You may need international protection if you cannot return to your country of origin because you fear persecution or face a real risk of serious harm.
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/before-you-apply/
International protection is for people who cannot be protected by their country of origin.

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

The application is registered in person at the Citywest Reception Centre in Saggart. A border procedure also exists; it is an accelerated procedure of up to 3 months.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The captured pages do not say which applicants are placed in the border procedure.

https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/before-you-apply/
You can register your IP application by visiting the Citywest Reception Centre in Saggart.
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/stages-of-your-application/
The asylum border procedure is an accelerated asylum procedure that takes up to 3 months

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

At registration and lodging, fingerprints and photographs are taken, identity and travel documents are presented, and applicants are asked about family members living in Ireland or another EU+ country. Once the application is lodged, the applicant is entitled to the supports given to international protection applicants. Free legal counselling is available. A decision is due within 6 months in the standard procedure.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

The captured pages do not list the specific supports, such as accommodation or access to work.

https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/stages-of-your-application/
Applicants will have their fingerprints taken, their photographs taken and asked to present all their identity, travel and any other relevant documents. Applicants will also be asked to provide their personal details, be asked about any of their family members that are residing in this country or another EU+ country and be asked to provide their contact details.
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/help-frequently-asked-questions/
Once all these steps are carried out, your application will be lodged and you will be entitled to all the supports afforded to an International Protection Applicant.
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/help-frequently-asked-questions/
You can ask for legal counselling, free of charge, during the asylum procedure.
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/stages-of-your-application/
Applications in the standard procedure will receive their decision from the International Protection Office within 6 months from when the application is lodged.

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

The competent authority is the International Protection Office (IPO), which makes first-instance decisions. Appeals go to TARA, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals. Free legal representation can be requested from the Legal Aid Board. Applying does not guarantee protection: a negative decision comes with a return decision.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

No UNHCR channel or fraud/scam warning was found on the captured IPO pages.

https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/about-ipo/
The International Protection Office is responsible for processing international protection applications for asylum in Ireland
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/stages-of-your-application/
TARA is the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/help-frequently-asked-questions/
You can also request a legal representative free of charge from the Legal Aid Board.
https://ipo.irishimmigration.ie/my-application/applying-after-12-june-2026/stages-of-your-application/
If the decision is negative, the reasons will be explained in the decision and they will be issued a decision to return to their country.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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Refugee status under the single international-protection procedure

What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

Your story.Your next step.

Your story.
Your next step.