Family Reunification Process

Family Reunification for Refugees can only be sought in cases where a person has been granted Refugee Status in Ireland. It does not apply if this person has since been granted Irish Citizenship.

If you have been granted Refugee Status and wish to apply for a family member(s) to join you in Ireland you must apply in writing to:

Family Reunification Section,
Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS),
13 - 14 Burgh Quay,
Dublin 2.

Further Information can be found on www.inis.gov.ie

All applications are referred to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) from the Family Reunification Section (INIS) for investigation. At no point does ORAC accept applications for Family Reunification from the Refugee. Upon completion of its investigation into the Family Reunification application, ORAC submits a report to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for decision.

If the application for Family Reunification is successful,the family member will be required to apply for a visa to enter Ireland. The visa application should not be made until such a time as notification has been received that the Family Reunification application has been approved and the family member has obtained a Passport or Travel Document.

The visa application should be submitted to the Irish Embassy or Consulate in or accredited to your family member's country of residence. Details of all Irish Embassies can be found on www.dfa.ie