Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Irish Refugee Council
Tagline goes here
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Get Help  Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • About Us
    • Who we are
      • Vision, values & purpose
      • How we work
    • Our Team
    • Work for us
    • Contact us
    • Governance
      • Charity regulations
      • Accounts & Finances
      • Board of Directors
    • Our Covid-19 response
    • Strategy & Impact
    • Our History
    • Our Partners
  • What We Do
    • Services
      • Drop-In Centre
      • Law Centre
    • Supports
      • Housing
      • Employment
      • Education
      • Youth Work
      • Resettlement
      • Community Sponsorship
    • Networks
    • Outreach
      • Schools
      • Interpreter training
  • Get Help
    • Need Support?
    • Get Legal Advice
    • Useful Information
      • Information Notes
      • FAQs
      • Family Reunification FAQs
      • Definitions
    • Support Groups
  • Get Involved
    • Why support us?
    • Ways to support
      • Donate
      • Tax Efficient Giving
      • Fundraise for us
      • Become a member
      • Raise awareness
      • Partner with us
      • Community sponsorship
    • Work for us
  • Policy & Advocacy
    • Policy areas
      • Asylum Policy
      • Asylum Process Reform
      • Children & Young People
      • Direct Provision
      • LGBT
      • International Submissions
      • International Protection Bill
      • Refugee Crisis
    • Best Practice
      • Early Legal Advice
      • Interpreter training
    • Publications
  • Media Centre
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Archive
    • Press contact
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Get Help
  2. Useful Information
  3. Family Reunification FAQs

Family Reunification FAQs

Who can apply for Family Reunification (FR) under the International Protection Act 2015 (IPA)?

Expand

People granted international protection (refugees, subsidiary protection beneficiaries) in Ireland (Section 56 IPA). This includes resettled refugees.

Published: 1st April, 2020

Updated: 20th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Related topics:
  • Family Reunification FAQs
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What is the time limit for applying for Family Reunification?

Expand

Refugees and people with subsidiary protection have 12 months after receiving their international protection declaration letter to apply for Family Reunification. Resettled refugees have 12 months from their date of arrival in Ireland to apply (Section 56[8] IPA)

Published: 3rd April, 2020

Updated: 20th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Related topics:
  • Family Reunification FAQs
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Why would an application be refused or revoked?

Expand

The Minister may refuse or revoke family reunification for a number of reasons, such as: where family members fall outside of the eligible family members of the IPA, where the time limit has expired, where marriage/partnership ceases; in the interests of national security; where someone gives false or misleading documentation or information. (Section 56[7] IPA).

Published: 4th April, 2020

Updated: 20th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Related topics:
  • Family Reunification FAQs
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

What is the application process?

Expand
  • An initial letter must be sent to INIS FR Section requesting an application questionnaire. The Irish Refugee Council drop-in centre may assist people to write and send this letter. The letter must contain the applicant’s ID number; the full name, relationship, date of birth and address of the family member/s. Applicants should include a copy of their protection declaration letter.
  • A questionnaire will be sent to the applicant within a few weeks. Any change of address should be relayed to the FR section immediately to ensure that the applicant receives the questionnaire.
  • The questionnaire should be returned within indicated time frame (usually 28 days). All relevant documentation must also be attached. The documents must be originals – no copies will be accepted. More time to return questionnaire may be requested if the applicant cannot submit within 28 days.
  • The applicant will receive a decision in writing. The decision will be: a grant of Family Reunification for all family members, a grant for some family members but refusal of others, or a refusal of all family members.
If successful:

If family members do not have a travel document, it is recommended that they begin process of obtaining one as soon as possible – ideally even before the FR application process begins in Ireland. The family member must apply for an Irish visa. The minister may indicate a time limit for entry of the family member. UNHCR, IOM and the Irish Red Cross operate a travel assistance scheme which may provide financial support to family members for entry to Ireland once FR has been granted.

If unsuccessful:

There is no appeal mechanism for negative decisions.

A person may write a letter to the minister to review the decision and/or exercise his discretion in exceptional circumstances.

Make a fresh application if circumstances have changed (deadline still stands)

Initiate judicial review proceedings, which requires a lawyer and may be expensive and very protracted.

Published: 5th April, 2020

Updated: 20th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Related topics:
  • Family Reunification FAQs
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

More Information

Expand

Download our Information Note on IHAP 

Visa applications can be made at Irish consulates in the family member’s country of residence – see www.dfa.ie for list of consulates and see www.inis.gov.ie for general information on visa application process.

Announcement Dept of Justice November 2017

Published: 6th April, 2020

Updated: 20th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Related topics:
  • Family Reunification FAQs
Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
Back to top

Showing 10 of 5

Latest

  • New report: Implementing Alternatives to Direct Provision

    New report: Implementing Alternatives to Direct Provision

  • DLA Piper launches 'Know Your Rights' programme for refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland

    DLA Piper launches 'Know Your Rights' programme for refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland

  • Vacancy: Community Sponsorship Development Officer

    Vacancy: Community Sponsorship Development Officer

    Deadline 28 January

  • Grifols 5K for the Irish Refugee Council resources

Most read

  • New report: Implementing Alternatives to Direct Provision

    New report: Implementing Alternatives to Direct Provision

  • Vacancy: Community Sponsorship Development Officer

    Vacancy: Community Sponsorship Development Officer

    Deadline 28 January

  • Joint Statement: EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

    Joint Statement: EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

  • Submission to the Oireachtas Covid-19 response committee

    Submission to the Oireachtas Covid-19 response committee

  • Move Most Vulnerable Out of Direct Provision Centres Now

    Move Most Vulnerable Out of Direct Provision Centres Now

    Infectious Disease Specialist urges Government to remove most at risk in Direct Provision centres immediately and labels the facilities ‘Powder Kegs’.

  • Grifols 5K run for the Irish Refugee Council

    Grifols 5K run for the Irish Refugee Council

  • Budget 2021 submission

    Budget 2021 submission

  • DLA Piper launches 'Know Your Rights' programme for refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland

    DLA Piper launches 'Know Your Rights' programme for refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland

  • "Powerless" Experiences of Direct Provision During the Covid-19 Pandemic

  • Who we are

    Who we are

Our response to the Covid-19 pandemic

Read more

Published: 27th April, 2020

Updated: 12th June, 2020

Author: Nick Henderson

Latest tweet

  • RT @drclairedunne: Thinking with a heavy heart of everyone in the camp tonight. Is this really the best that Europe can do? Is this wh… https://t.co/z7RPE5Zadb

    27thJanuary, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
  • @LizZacharias_CT Thank you for all your work Liz.

    27thJanuary, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
  • RT @Orla_Hegarty: ‘Implementing Alternatives to Direct Provision’ -new report & workable proposals from @IrishRefugeeCo that I’m plea… https://t.co/bcRNzrHr5n

    27thJanuary, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
  • FAQs
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy policy

Registered office
37 Killarney Street
Dublin 1
D01 NX74

Phone: 00 353 1 764 5854
Fax: 00 353 1 672 5927
Email: [email protected]

CHY Number: 10153
Registered Charity Number: 20025724
CRO Number: 188693

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])