The Irish Government has introduced a new humanitarian scheme to admit up to 500 Afghans to Ireland. Key features of the scheme are:

• Programme opened for applications on 16/12/2021 and closes 5pm on the 24/2/2022.
• The Programme is open to current or former Afghan nationals living legally in Ireland (on or before 1 September 2021) to apply to have their close family members, who are living in Afghanistan or who have recently fled to territories bordering Afghanistan, to apply for temporary residence in Ireland.
• The eligible neighbouring countries are: Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
• The Programme will allow the applicant to nominate up to four family members to be considered for approval to join them in Ireland. If approved a family member would qualify subject to the availability of places under the Programme. 
• There will be 500 places overall, which will be awarded to those deemed most at risk.
• The applicant is required to list their four nominated family members in order of priority, in terms of their vulnerability and risk to their freedom and safety. The information they provide on each family member in this regard will be important in assisting determination of who is deemed most vulnerable in determining granting of places.
• The Programme outlines the intended family members who would be covered by the Scheme, that is: a spouse, civil partner, defacto partner, their minor children and adult children where they are unmarried and do not have dependents. It will also allow the applicant to nominate a grandparent or a related minor child without parents where the applicant has parental responsibility. The applicant can also nominate a vulnerable close family member who does not have spouse, partner or other close relative to support them. 

Details and application form for the scheme are now on the Department of Justice's website.  

Please find the Department's Frequently Asked Questions document here. 

Department of Justice press release announcing the programme. 

Our helpline 017645854 is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10am-1pm and 2pm-4pm.

Alternatively, please email [email protected]

Updated: 13 January 2021