Undocumented Migrant Scheme
The Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants scheme is an administrative scheme established under the Minister’s executive powers, to regularise the status of long-term undocumented migrants residing in the State.
Elegibility
General criteria, applicable to all types
You can apply for this scheme if you:
- Have met the undocumented residency criteria (outlined below)
- Are of good character and of good conduct, and
- Have no adverse criminal record in this State or any other country.
Please be aware that if you fail to disclose any criminal convictions in this State or any other country it will result in your application being refused.
Types of Application
There are 4 types of applications who are eligible for this scheme, each with slightly different criteria:
- Single application – you are applying for yourself only
- Family application – as the principal applicant, you are only applying for yourself and a spouse/civil partner/de facto partner
- Family application – as the principal applicant, you are applying for yourself and your immediate family and there is a dependent minor child included in the application. There maybe an adult child aged between 18 – 23 included in the application
- Family application – as the principal applicant, you are applying for yourself and your immediate family and there is no dependent minor child included in the application, but there is a child aged between 18 – 23 included in the application.
Single and Principal applicants
In order to qualify under this scheme, you must:
- Be a non EEA national, and
- Be over the age of 18, and
- Have been living undocumented in the State continuously for the last four years.
Please be aware that you must be able to provide evidence that you have been living undocumented in the State on a continuous basis for the previous four years, prior to the commencement date of the scheme 31 January 2022, and to continue to reside in the State undocumented on the date you submit your application.
Family Application (couple only)
If you are the principal applicant and applying for permission for yourself and your spouse/civil partner/de facto partner only. You as the principal applicant must meet the criteria outlined in 3 above, and your spouse/civil partner/de facto partner must meet the following criteria:
- Be a non-EEA national, and
- Over the age of 18, and
- Have been living undocumented in the State continuously for the last two years.
Please be aware that they must be able to provide evidence that they have been living undocumented in the State, with you, the principal applicant for two years immediately prior to the commencement date of this scheme 31 January 2022, and to continue to reside in the State undocumented with you on the date you submit the family application.
Family application with at least one dependent minor child
If there is at least one dependent minor child under 18, the principal applicant must:
- Be a non-EEA national, and
- Be over the age of 18, and
- Have been living undocumented in the State continuously for the last three years.
Please be aware that you must be able to provide evidence that you have been living undocumented in the State on a continuous basis for the previous three years, prior to the commencement date of the scheme 31 January 2022, and continue to reside in the State undocumented on the date you submit your application.
The spouse/civil partner /de facto partner of the applicant must:
- Be a non-EEA national, and
- Over the age of 18, and
- Have been living undocumented in the State continuously for the last two years, and
- Have been living with the principal applicant as a family unit for the last two years prior to the commencement date of the scheme 31 January 2022, and continue to reside in the State undocumented as a family unit on the date you submit the family application.
Children under the age of 18 must:
- Be residing with the principal applicant immediately prior to the publication of this Scheme on 13 January 2022
Children aged between 18 -23 included in the application:
- Be a non-EEA national, and
- Have been living undocumented in the State continuously for the last two years, and
- Have been living with the principal applicant as a family unit for the last two years prior to the commencement date of the scheme 31 January 2022, and continue to reside in the State undocumented as a family unit on the date you submit the family application.
Family application with at least one dependent adult child
If there is at least one dependent adult child (18 -23 years), the principal applicant must:
- Be a non-EEA national, and
- Be over the age of 18, and
- Have been living undocumented in the State continuously for the last four years.
Please be aware that you must be able to provide evidence that you have been living undocumented in the State on a continuous basis for the previous four years, prior to the commencement date of the scheme 31 January 2022, and continue to reside in the State undocumented on the date you submit your application.
The spouse/civil partner/de facto partner/adult child (18-23) of the principal applicant must:
- Be a non-EEA national, and
- Over the age of 18, and
- Have been living undocumented in the State continuously for the last two years, and
- Have been living with the principal applicant as a family unit for the last two years prior to the commencement date of the scheme 31 January 2022, and continue to reside in the State undocumented as a family unit on the date you submit the family application.
If the child or children are over 23 years of age:
Other children aged 23 and over living as part of the family unit, cannot be included in a family application, and they must submit a single application (see section 3)
Other family scenarios:
- If you have a child over the age of 23, who is living with you as part of the family and who suffers from a mental or physical disability that renders independent living impossible, please contact undocumentedhelp@justice.ie before you submit your application. Please note you will be required to submit documentary medical evidence to confirm that your child in unable to reside independently.
- In cases where children 18 years of age or older are married or in a civil / de facto partnership with another person, they must make an application in their own right and meet the undocumented residence requirement and other eligibility criteria, even if they are still residing with the principal applicant.
You are not elegible to make an application
You are not eligible to make an application:
- If you do not meet the eligibility outlined above
- You have an open application with the International Protection Office. Please see www.ipo.gov.ie for further information if this applies to you.
- If you currently hold immigration permission in the State.
How can I apply?
Please follow these steps to apply for permission under the Regularisation of Long-Term Undocumented Migrants Scheme:
- You can only apply between 31 January 2022 and 31 July 2022 (inclusive)
- You must complete the online application form and submit it with all the required documentation
- All applications must be submitted online here
- Applications will not be accepted by post
- Please remember to submit your application online, as ISD will not process applications that are saved in draft on your ISD online account.
- Please see demonstration video and guidance note for completing single and family applications.
Is there a fee?
Yes, there is an application fee.
- The application fee for single applications is €550
- The application fee for family applications is €700. Children up to 23 years, living with their parent(s), can be included in a family application. Spouses/De Facto/Civil partners without children can apply as a family
- You are required to pay this application fee in full when you are submitting your online application form. Otherwise, your application will not be submitted
- This application processing fee is non-refundable in all cases. Therefore, you should ensure that you are eligible for the scheme before applying.
What documents must I submit as part of my application?
As part of the online application process, all applicants must provide evidence of their identity and their undocumented residency in the State for either two, three or four years (see criteria above) prior to the launch of the scheme on 31 January 2022.
If you are applying as a family unit, you must also provide evidence of the relationship between family members on the application form.
It is vitally important that you complete the application form fully and correctly and that you submit it and all of the documentation required, including the appropriate fee on or before the closing date.
Giving false or misleading information and/or documentation may result in an application being refused or the revocation of any permissions granted on foot of that application.
What happens if my application is successful?
If your application is successful we will send you a letter by post telling you:
- You will be granted permission on a stamp 4 basis for two years. Each member of your family will receive their own individual letter. (This is a very important letter, so please keep it somewhere safe)
- If you are over the age of 16, you must attend at your local immigration office to register your permission. Further information will be outlined in the approval letter.
- You can get more information on the general conditions for Stamp 4 here.
Important: Failure to register a permission granted may affect any future applications you make to Immigration Service Delivery (including renewal of your permission, re-entry to the State and citizenship).
What happens if my application is unsuccessful?
We will advise you in writing that your application has been unsuccessful, and the reasons why, by post.
- You can request an appeal of the decision on your application within 30 working days of the date of your letter advising you that your application was unsuccessful
- You must submit this appeal online here
- You should refer directly to the reasons set out by ISD as to why your application was unsuccessful
- You should state why you do not agree with the decision by ISD to refuse
- Any statements you make as part of your appeal application should be supported by documentary evidence
- Further information on the appeal process is available here.
Frequently asked questions
You can find answers to frequently asked questions here.
When you contact us, we will endeavour to facilitate a free consultation with you within 24 hours of your initial call. We will also facilitate evening and weekend appointments.
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