People granted international protection (refugees, subsidiary protection beneficiaries) in Ireland (Section 56 IPA). This includes resettled refugees.
Dependents (i.e. grandparents, sibling, 18+ children are not included)
Refugees and people with subsidiary protection have 12 months after receiving their international protection declaration letter to apply for FR. Resettled refugees have 12 months from their date of arrival in Ireland to apply for FR. (Section 56[8] IPA)
IMPORTANT: Persons granted status before commencement of the IPA, still have up until 30th December 2017 to make an application. This means that all persons who arrived before 2017 have until 30th December to apply. Also, people who were refused FR on the basis of the elapsed 12-month limit should apply to the minister for a review of the decision before the above date![1]
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)
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.[3] 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.
[1] http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP07000026
[2] The questionnaire itself should list relevant documents. For example list, see INIS website: http://bit.ly/2zlQ0Yr
[3] 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.
[4] Announced by Dept of Justice November 2017: http://bit.ly/2A4u6Nh