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Ireland Commences International Protection Act 2026, Introducing Faster Asylum Procedures and Revised Family Reunificati

From 12 June 2026, Ireland's international-protection system operates under the International Protection Act 2026. Applicants are subject to screening, registration and identity and security checks, including the collection and processing of biometric information where required. The Act introduces a Border Procedure for certain applicants. This procedure can apply to applicants from countries with an international-protection recognition rate of 20% or lower, as well as certain applicants who have misled authorities or destroyed, disposed of or concealed identity or travel documents. Cases processed under the Border Procedure are intended to receive decisions and appeals within approximately three months, creating a significantly faster process than the ordinary procedure. The Act also introduces new arrangements for appeals through the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA). The revised system is intended to allow protection claims and appeals to be handled more quickly while maintaining access to an appeal. The legislation also strengthens arrangements for the removal of people whose international-protection applications have been refused. The new framework is designed to connect the protection decision, appeal process and return procedure more closely and to facilitate faster removal where an applicant has no legal basis to remain in Ireland. For people granted international protection, the Act introduces a new family-reunification framework. A protection holder generally must wait two years from the date protection is granted before applying for family reunification and must satisfy financial and other statutory requirements. Specific exceptions apply to certain minors, including unaccompanied minors.

Jurisdiction

Ireland

Category

Family reunification

Recorded versions

1

Official source

gov.ie