We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This article can be read in Ukrainian here.
ON FRIDAY, IRELAND’S Department of Justice confirmed that visa requirements are being waived for Ukrainians who travel here.
The emergency measure will apply to all Ukrainians who arrive to Ireland.
In particular, the department said it aims to “streamline and support the swift exit” of Ukrainians with family members who are Irish citizens, and Ukrainians with family members are residents in Ireland and who are also from Ukraine.
Additionally, the European Union has decided to grant temporary protection to people fleeing from Ukraine that will enable them to live, work and study in EU countries with a residence permit.
If you are a Ukrainian coming to Ireland or considering travelling here, here’s what you need to know about the visa waiver and what your options are when you arrive in Ireland.
The waiving of visa requirements for Ukrainians came into effect immediately on Friday, 26 February when the decision was announced.
That means it now applies to any Ukrainian who arrives into Ireland.
The government has not indicated how long the waiving of visa requirements will last for or when it might end.
Overall, whether the Department of Justice requires someone to have a visa to travel to Ireland depends on several factors – in particular, nationality.
The department has now added Ukraine to its list of non-visa required nationalities.
That means that a person of Ukrainian nationality does not currently need a visa to travel to Ireland.
Previously, a Ukrainian would have needed a visa for any stay in Ireland longer than 90 days.
Currently, Ukrainians who travel to Ireland without a visa have 90 days after they arrive to regularise their status or to apply for asylum through the International Protection system.
One option will be to obtain a residence permit under the EU’s temporary protection directive, which will allow people escaping from Ukraine to live in an EU country and access education and the labour market.
Let’s take a look at those options and what you need to know with the help of some experts – Rachael Bermingham, an Advice and Legal Information Officer for Doras, and Fiona Hurley, a spokesperson for Nasc, two non-governmental organisations supporting migrants in Ireland.
Applications through family members or work
For people who arrive in Ireland who do not choose to seek asylum, the choices depend on your individual circumstances.
Fiona Hurley said that the situation is “most clear for Ukrainians who have family members in Ireland”.
“They may be able to secure an immigration status based on family links, particularly where the family member in Ireland is an Irish or an EEA national. The Department of Justice have not announced any plans to put in place a special scheme for Ukrainian family members yet, however we would strongly encourage them to do so as it would provide certainty to this cohort.”
“There may also be the possibility of applying for employment permits, particularly for those who had worked for multinational companies with bases in both Ireland and Ukraine. This would allow for faster access to employment but it could limit family reunification rights.”
Rachael Bermingham of Doras said that those with EU family members living and working in Ireland may be able to avail of EU Treaty Rights permission to stay in Ireland.
Others with Irish spouses or family members may be able to acquire permission through these relationships, or secure work permits based on their qualifications and job offers.
“Our best advice is for individuals to make contact with an immigration NGO when they arrive to discuss their circumstances and see what may be the best option for them,” Bermingham said.
Seeking asylum
Another option for people who arrive into the country is to apply for asylum. In Ireland, this is called the International Protection system.
“Ukrainians will also have the option to make an application for international protection in Ireland. By doing so, they will be able to access accommodation in the direct provision system and a right to work after six months,” Hurley said.
“However, there are long delays in the application process with median times to get a first instance decision hovering around two years. This means potentially long delays in securing family reunification as they would not have a right to family reunification until after they gain refugee or subsidiary protection status in Ireland.”
When you enter Ireland, if you decide to apply for asylum, you can tell the immigration officer that you are seeking international protection or visit the International Protection Office in Dublin.
The office is located at Timberly House, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2 in Dublin city centre.
Even if you apply with an immigration officer at your port of entry, you will still need to make a formal application at the IPO.
You will be interviewed by an IPO officer who will ask you about your identity, your country of origin, how you came to Ireland, why you cannot return to your country of origin and any immigration history you might have in Ireland.
The IPO will take a photograph of you and a copy of your fingerprints. If you have already claimed asylum in another country in the EU, it could decide to return you to that country.
If the IPO accepts your application, you can stay in Ireland while the application is processed.
The IPO will send you an International Protection Questionnaire that should be filled in within 20 working days from when you receive it. It is advised that you seek legal advice to fill out the questionnaire.
You will undergo a second interview called the personal interview. There can be long waiting times for an appointment for this interview.
While you are waiting for your application to be processed, you can live in a Direct Provision centre. These are centres that provide accommodation and food. You would also receive an allowance every week of €38.80 for an adult and €29.80 for a child.
You will not be allowed to work or to open a business for at least the first eight months of your stay. If a decision has not been made on your application within eight months, you could then apply for permission to work.
If you have somewhere else to stay in Ireland and do not choose to stay in Direct Provision, you can still apply for asylum, but you will not have access to a medical card or weekly allowance.
EU temporary protection scheme
The EU temporary protection scheme will allow people fleeing the war in Ukraine to obtain a residence permit in the EU, go to school or college, work, and access healthcare.
The directive uses a mechanism that was drawn up in the early 2000s in response to wars in former Yugoslavia, but which has not been implemented before.
Hurley outlined the plans would provide residency rights and “the right to work and access social services”.
“This would be the first time that this Directive would be used in the EU. Ireland has a mirroring temporary protection mechanism in the International Protection Act, 2015,” she said.
“We would welcome the introduction of a temporary protection scheme in Ireland as it should provide for an expedited pathway to residence and mean that people are able to access employment and services at a much earlier date than if they were to apply for international protection.”
Bermingham said the decision “will allow Ukrainian nationals and those who were resident in Ukraine, including asylum seekers, residency in EU member states”.
“This will allow access to the labour market, social welfare systems, as well as medical care.” she said.
“In Ireland this is set out in law under section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. We are awaiting updates from the government with more details of how this will work and how individuals may access the permission.”
Where can I find more advice?
The Irish Government’s Department of Justice
The Ukrainian Embassy in Dublin
A non-governmental organisation that supports migrants and asylum seekers, such as:
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
I’m surprised and disappointed to find out that Daly and Wallace voted in the European Parliament against providing humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukraine.
@Noel Martin: I’m not suprised by Wallace.
@Noel Martin: I wonder will those 2 clowns get voted in again? I’m guessing they will.
@Noel Martin: I’m not surprised at all!
@Noel Martin: well they didnt vote for the resolution as it included sending arms to Ukraine. They agreed and would have voted yes for Russia to leave Ukraine but one amendment after another changed the resolution. Its a very odd thing about resolutions and bills in parliament that amendments are added on to bills or resolutions like this one can be voted on singularly, as in how do you vote on resolution number one? yea or nay, how do you vote on resolution number 2 ? etc etc So as a MEP cant do that they have to either vote yes or no to the whole package, even though they agree with Russia leaving.
@Noel Martin: they explained the reason why, there was more questions than one, they voted that way because the other questions out weighed a vote yes.
@Ronan Murphy: Its nonsense to vote against sending weapons to Ukraine. What are the Ukrainians supposed to do? Stand in front of the tanks in peaceful protest? I’m sure the Russians would love that. Even though we’re not a member of NATO I’m glad at this time that it exists. It would be great if we lived in a world that didn’t need military alliance’s and huge armies and maybe someday we won’t need them and it’s something the humans race must work towards but today isn’t a day for that conservation. There are children being blown to their death by Russian tanks.
@Dizzy: The people who voted for these kind of people are worse
@Stephen: Those voters should be ashamed of themselves.
This is not help. This is a bureaucratic nightmare. Another example of the civil servant / legal class, ensuring their own aggrandisement.
Is there any consideration given to the vaccination status of potential refugees?
With an anticipated 3 million largely unvaccinated group of people moving initially to countries with equally low protected populations and then onwards to other countries this could be a recipe for the development of further and more dangerous variants.
@Gavin Linden: is there any consideration that these people, mostly women and children, are fleeing from a deranged lunatic dictator who marching his army thru a sovereign European democracy?
@john barnes: There is hugh consideration given to the plight of these people, this is why we are taking in refugees.
@Gavin Linden: yes so let’s welcome them with open arms, not with fear and suspicion
@Gavin Linden: Being part of the solution is always a problem for you though; isn’t it Gavin?
@Gavin Linden: FFS
@Gavin Linden: And all you’re worried about is Covid. Not the plight of the Ukrainian people. Well stop worrying because there is a far bigger chance you’ll be nuked before you get Covid again
@Gavin Linden: You’ll probably die from nuclear fallout before you have a chance to catch Covid
@Gavin Linden: You should worry more about dying from nuclear radiation than catching Covid from people fleeing for their lives to safe havens
@Rhoda Cunningham: He’s not worried about COVID either. He’s just one of those terrible people who starts whining when everyone else is trying to find solutions.
@Gavin Linden: are you serious?
@Rhoda Cunningham: Jeezz Ronda, I hope you have those iodine pills to hand and have your Nissan Hut ordered.
It is helpful, and people receiving it will be glad for the access and to have a roof over their heads. What is odd, though, is denying Medical Card and Allowence if say for example, they stayed with a relative instead of Direct Provision centre. Why would they not need both if they are unable to work for up to eight months. Why is the burden on the family member/friend who is taking the hut financially of hosting. By not taking a DP place, they are saving Taxpayer money surely?
Is there any information available as to how to offer accommodation to regugees if you are in a position to?
@Agrippa: yer I’m homeless do I get any help No. I do not
@Agrippa: let me know then I can find some were to live
@Charles Shelly: https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/primarycare/socialinclusion/about-social-inclusion/partnerorganisations/homelessness.html
The Direct Provision system is already broken, not the best place for people to have to live and wait. Better to find an alternative if possible, especially if you can work immediately rather than wait 8 months and get caught into an administrative nightmare called the Asylum Seeker application process.
have your say