What happens during the international protection process?

The below video (available in Arabic here) gives an overview of the steps involved in the International Protection process in Ireland.

June 2026 Update:

The International Protection Act 2026 was put into practice on the 12th of June 2026.

These new laws will significantly change the asylum system in Ireland for applicants who applied after the 12th of June.

If you applied for asylum before this date, then the information on this page is still relevant.

If you are applying after, some of the information on this page may not apply to you. Please see this page for information on the new laws.

Step 1: Day 1 and the Questionnaire

Adults will register their applications for International Protection at Citywest Convention Centre, Garter Lane, Saggart, Dublin 24, D24 KF8A.

On this day you will provide the authorities with your biometric data, and will fill out a questionnaire. This questionnaire is an important document in which you will outline the reasons for your application for International Protection.

Step 2: Substantive Interview

A Section 35, or substantive, interview will be scheduled. You may receive the date of your substantive interview on the day you apply for International Protection. Otherwise, you may receive notice in the post (it is important that that IPO has an up to date record of you address at all times throughout the International Protection Process).

In your substantive interview, an international protection officer will interrogate your claim for International Protection with reference to the contents of the questionnaire you filled out when you originally applied. They may also refer to other information, including country of origin reports, media reports and other information.

We advise you consult with a solicitor before your substantive interview. You may be entitled to free legal aid. Find out more information here.

The video below (available in Georgian, Arabic and Somali ) can also help you understand what to expect during your interview:

Step 3: Recommendation and Grant, or Refusal at First instance

The International Protection Office will recommend that you be granted either:

• A Refugee Status Declaration
• Subsidiary Protection
• Permission to Remain, or
• none of the above (a Refusal at First Instance)

If positive, you will receive a Ministerial Declaration confirming your status; this may take several weeks (if you do not hear from the Ministerial Decisions Unit you can contact them at: mduinfo@justice.ie

Please check your IPO portal on a regular basis to check for a decision.

Step 4: Appeal at the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT)

If you are refused at first instance, you can submit an appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). You can appeal a decision of the IPO that refuses you Subsidiary Protection and/ or Refugee Status.

You have 10 working days to trigger an appeal. After that you will have to wait to be invited for an appeal hearing. Your lawyer should accompany you to your hearing. Many hearings are held online.

You may be waiting many months before you receive this invitation. The appeals process is very slow.

In some cases you might be informed that your appeal will be decided on papers only, that you will not have the opportunity to have an oral hearing. You can ask (via your lawyer) to be permitted to have the hearing.

We advise you obtain the assistance of a solicitor to submit an appeal. You should be entitled to free legal aid. Find out more information here.

Step 5: Permission to Remain Review

If your appeal at IPAT is unsuccessful, the Minister can consider your case for Permission to Remain again. This is called a Permission to Remain Review. You have 5 days within which to seek a review of Permission to Remain application.We advise you obtain the assistance of a solicitor to submit an appeal. You may be entitled to free legal aid. Find out more information here.

Step 6: Final Negative Decision

If your Permission to Remain application is refused after review, you will be placed outside the International Protection Process. We advise you obtain the assistance of a solicitor to submit to discuss what remedies may be available.

You may be entitled to free legal aid. Find out more information here.

You may be subject to a deportation order and may be forcibly removed from the state.

Below is a graphic of the International Protection Process in Ireland: