The International Protection Process

The international protection process is the process through which your application for refugee status and subsidiary protection are decided. If, at the end of the process through which your application for refugee status and subsidiary protection are decided you are declared a refugee or granted subsidiary protection you will have certain rights including the right to live in Ireland; the right to have certain family members live with you; and the right to work.

You must complete an application form given to you by the International Protection Office (IPO). You may have already done this. This document is the basis of your international protection claim and it is very important that you give a full account in the document of the reasons why you left your own country.

You are strongly advised to register with the Legal Aid Board, or to obtain legal advice privately, before completing the questionnaire.

If the IPO believe that you have previously applied for international protection, been fingerprinted or had a visa in another European country, they are likely to request the authorities in that country to confirm whether or not they have a match of your fingerprints. If a match is found, the IPO may attempt to transfer you to that country without considering your international protection claim. You will have an opportunity to appeal if this happens.

The IPO will consider an application for international protection by you to include any child of yours, who is under 18 years old; who is in Ireland with you; who is born in Ireland while you are an international protection applicant; or who joins you in Ireland while you are an international protection applicant. You should include in your application fears that you have for your self and your child/children, if you were returned to your country of origin.

Applications for international protection by unaccompanied children can be made on behalf of the child by the Child and Family Agency.