Refugees & Asylum Seekers
Anybody can become a refugee or asylum seeker...
Who are refugees?
According to the Irish government a refugee is someone who has had to leave their own country because of fear of persecution (for reasons of race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion) and has been granted legal refugee status by the government. This then gives them the same rights as an Irish citizen to employment, social welfare, education, housing and health care.
There are over 17 million refugees worldwide. Most of them are from Palestine, Iraq, Burma, Afghanistan, Tibet and Africa.
Who are asylum seekers?
An asylum seeker is someone who has had to leave their own country because of fear of persecution and who has applied to be legally accepted as a refugee in Ireland. Asylum seekers have a legal right to stay in Ireland while their application for refugee status is being decided on.
Anybody can become a refugee or asylum seeker, it doesn't matter if you are rich, poor, adult, child or what colour, religion, ethnicity or nationality you are.
Refugees and asylum seekers leave or escape their home county because of persecution or intimidation.
Find advice for Refugees and Asylum-Seekers from the Irish Refugee Council.
How to get asylum seeker status:
When you first arrive in Ireland you will be asked to fill in an application form at the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. This form declares that you are seeking refugee status. You must also include birth certs and passports if you have them. After this, you will then be given an interview to try and ascertain if you wish to make an application to be a refugee, the reason why you are in Ireland and other legal issues. After your interview, you will be given information on your right to seek legal assistance and told to consult with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
If you have applied at the port of entry (i.e the airport), you are required to attend the office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner to complete the initial asylum process. If you do not do so and do not provide an address to the Commissioner within 5 working days of making an application, your application will be withdrawn.
You will have your photograph taken as well as your fingerprints. If you do not have your fingerprints taken, this could affect your application badly and it could be withdrawn. You must also fill out a questionnaire and return it by a specific date. Again, if you fail to send the questionnaire in by the specified date, your application may be denied.
You will be given a Temporary Residence Certificate when your interview and assessment at the Office of the Refugee Application Commissioner are completed. After this, you will be taken to a reception centre in Dublin. You will stay here for a short period of time and will then be transferred to accommodation outside Dublin while your application is processed.
People under the age of 18 who are not accompanied by parents or guardians will be referred to the Local Health Board.
The length of time a person has to wait for refugee status varies from case to case.
Click here for further information about applying for refugee status in Ireland.
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