These materials have been prepared by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) for information purposes only with no guarantee as to accuracy or applicability to a particular set of circumstances. The materials are not intended and should not be considered to be legal advice. The information given may change from time to time and may be out of date. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland disclaims any legal responsibility for the content or the accuracy of the information provided. MRCI is not a practising law centre.

The Regularisation Scheme 2022 opened on January 31st 2022 and closed on July 31st 2022.  For more information visit mrci.ie/scheme21 

There is a serious risk in applying for a PPS number when undocumented. If you are thinking of doing this please contact MRCI first so we can advise you on your individual case.

Yes you can get healthcare and medical treatment. Check out healthconnect.ie to see what’s available in your local area. In Dublin, you can also access a free medical check up through the Capuchin Day Centre or Safetynet.

You can access medical treatment for serious issues in hospitals in Ireland. They will request a PPS number but even if you don’t have one you should still be able to access treatment. It is very unlikely they will deny you the treatment because you don’t have a PPS number. We recommend you access the healthcare and then if there is a fee you can deal with this afterwards.

Undocumented people are generally not entitled to medical card (for free medical treatment in hospitals) but can get one on case-by-case basis e.g. if you need emergency cancer treatment or an operation. In this case you can get assistance from your attending social worker in the hospital.

Undocumented children can access primary and secondary school free of charge. The principal will probably ask for a PPS number but they cannot deny access to your child. Please contact us if you need assistance

To access third level education such as a university, a recognised immigration status is required.

You may be able to undertake a QQI qualification or PLC courses. Many of these courses require a PPS number to register. Some of these institutions may ask your nationality to determine the tuition fee rate. 

The University of Sanctuary offers scholarships to students that are under-represented at third level education. It is worthwhile understanding the potential opportunities available.

Unfortunately there is no access for undocumented people. The only exception is for an exceptional needs payment (ENP) but this is very difficult to secure and is done on a case-by-case basis. Only apply for this if absolutely necessary as you would be calling attention to your status.

If you are thinking of doing this please contact MRCI first so we can advise you on your individual case.

Yes you can. There is no risk involved, but they may ask for a PPS number (see above). You will need the following:

• ID
• PPS number
• Proof of address
• Utility (electricity/phone) bill in your name (you may need to get your housemate to put your name on the bill if you aren’t currently named on any bills)

Being undocumented does not prevent you from reporting a crime. It is best to contact MRCI first and we can accompany you to do this with the minimum risk.

Some undocumented people have been asked for Garda Vetting in order to secure employment. There should be no issue or risk involved in this, the section involved will not ask for immigration status.

Wherever you are in Ireland, there are a number of supports available to you Focus Ireland and Crosscare can help you. You can also find a lot of useful information on supports and a wide arrange of services all over Ireland at Citizens Information.

In Dublin, the Capuchin Centre can provide free food and a health check up. You can also access Dublin City Council Homeless Section and Central Placement Service at Parkgate Hall, 6-9 Conyngham Road, Dublin 8.

Family Resource Centres are all over Ireland and a great way to get involved in your community and avail of an array of supports, services, classes, events, etc.  

If you have children, especially between the ages of 12-18, a great place for them to meet other young people are youth services and projects, find out where there’s one near you: 

• National Youth Council 

• Youth Work Ireland

All undocumented migrants can apply for a marriage licence. Yes, the form asks for immigration status but being undocumented does not prevent anyone from obtaining a marriage licence. You need a PPS number and other supporting documents (e.g. birth cert etc). Everyone will be called for an interview like everybody else where their relationship will be “assessed” as “genuine or not”. If you have a complaint in Dublin write to the Registrar www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/af7893-general-register-office/

You need a PPSn to apply, however any engagement with an authority could come with a risk. Please talk to MRCI first.   

We find the best way to find work is to build connections with other undocumented people. They can share information with you on safe employers and jobs available. Get involved with Justice for the Undocumented (JFU) and we can put you in touch with other undocumented people – email jfu@mrci.ie, it’s safe and confidential. Some undocumented people also risk using Gumtree and other job sites but if doing this you need to be careful with the employer and sharing your status.

As a worker, even if you are undocumented you still have FULL labour rights. This includes

• the right to minimum wage
• paid notice if your employment is terminated.

If you think your rights are not being met, please talk to MRCI. Make sure to record your hours of work or any incident in the workplace. There can be a danger in reporting but if you speak with us we will advise if you should do it or not.

We believe it is not possible to get an employment permit without an up to date immigration status. If you apply you may put yourself at risk of deportation. Please stay safe! 

If you are being promised a work permit and are undocumented please come to MRCI for more information. We will explain to you the risks involved and the chances of success and you can then make up your own mind.

There is NO SUMMARY DEPORTATION (being picked up and put in a plane) in Ireland. This means that no one can send you away from Ireland before following a legal process. 

If you have come into contact with a member of An Garda Síochána (police), please read the following questions for more information, about your rights and responsibilities.

If you are undocumented and have been recently in contact with the Gardaí (police) following an investigation at your workplace or elsewhere, we recommend that people co-operate with Immigration Officers because failure to cooperate will have a serious impact on any future applications to residency.    

Please remember the following:

• You must provide them with an address
• It is important that you reside in that address.  Failure to do so can result in your future arrest.
• There is NO SUMMARY DEPORTATION (being picked up and put in a plane) in Ireland. This means that no one can send you away from Ireland before following a legal process.
• You might be put on what is called a section 14(1) notice. This requires that you live at a certain address and you report to a Garda station at a given time and date.
• We recommend you do not ignore this – remember to sign on or you will be in breach of your order. If you need assistance with amending this order (you move for example) you can speak with us about this.

If you are undocumented and have been recently in contact with the Gardaí (police), for example in public or on transport, we recommend that people co-operate because failure to cooperate will have a serious impact on any future applications to residency.    

• They may ask for proof of ID, including your passport or proof of residence.   
• You have a right to ask what the purpose of the questioning is if outside your place of work.  
• The advice is the same as the answer above. Please talk to us if this has happened to you.   
• You can also find more information in this very useful document developed by INAR and ICCL:  “What to do if I am stopped by a member of the Gardaí” 

If you are issued with an intention to deport letter from ISD and a Section 3 Form DO NOT IGNORE THIS CORRESPONDENCE. Contact your legal representative or engage a qualified lawyer. MRCI can assist you to find legal representation, contact us.

An intention to deport process gives you 3 options:

a) To consent to deportation

b) To return voluntarily to your country of origin

c) To make representation to the Minister of Justice and apply for a Leave to Remain on Humanitarian grounds (Section 3 form)

We recommend that you seek legal representation ASAP. Failure to respond to intention to deport letter and make representations within requested timeframe could lead to deportation order served against you.

Yes you can BUT it is very difficult to be successful and should only be a last resort. MRCI can advise on your chances of success to help you make an informed decision. It can take between 1 month and 3 years for response. You should always view and retain a copy of your application. Make sure to follow up on your application and notify INIS on any change of address/contact details.

You will be issued with a letter stating the refusal. We do not recommend you ignore this letter or hide – we recommend you report to the Gardaí on schedule. You can apply for revocation or injunction through a solicitor. It is very hard to overturn a deportation order as this requires extensive legal work.

If you hold a deportation order and have been recently in contact with the police following an investigation at your workplace or other place, please remember the following:

• You may have been issued a deportation order in the past without your knowledge. This may be for a number of reasons; you could have failed to respond to correspondence as a result of changing your address or post not reaching you.
• Once you have been issued a deportation order, you are required to comply to certain terms – these include residing at one single address and notifying the authorities of any change. If you fail to do so, you will be categorised as evading a deportation order and be liable for arrest.

If you are arrested and detained, remember:

• that you are entitled to an interpreter and a phone call.
• You are also entitled to engage a solicitor at your own cost.
• The maximum length of detention is 8 weeks, after which if they fail to enforce your deportation they should release you.
• If you are released you should comply with the terms and conditions stipulated – namely residing at the given address and reporting upon request.

When you have come to the attention of the immigration officer and a document is given to you as a reporting mechanism. Your passport will be taken and you will be asked to report to GNIB on the date indicated in the document. Ask for help from MRCI or solicitor.

It is extremely high risk to leave the country and try to come back. You should only do this if completely necessary. You may be unable to re-enter the country on your return.

Assistance is available for going home permanently if experiencing financial difficulties.

These materials have been prepared by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) for information purposes only with no guarantee as to accuracy or applicability to a particular set of circumstances. The materials are not intended and should not be considered to be legal advice. The information given may change from time to time and may be out of date. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland disclaims any legal responsibility for the content or the accuracy of the information provided. MRCI is not a practising law centre.

Pre-clearance is when non-EEA nationals get permission to enter the State before travelling to Ireland.

Certain categories of both visa and non-visa required non-EEA nationals can apply for pre-clearance before entering Ireland, depending on the purpose of your visit.

Currently the pre-clearance policy applies to certain categories of applicants: Lay Volunteer, Minister of Religion, De Facto Partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit Holder, or of a Non-EEA Researcher on a Hosting Agreement, and De Facto Partner of an Irish National.

You need to complete a pre-clearance form (follow the links above) and pay a fee of €100 for each application.

You will be issued with a pre-clearance letter which is valid for 6 months. You will need to submit a new application if you do no not use it in time. If you are a visa-required national and have received the pre-clearance letter, you need to apply for a visa online before coming to Ireland.

You will receive a letter of refusal outlining the reasons in writing. 

You will have a chance to make an appeal of this decision within 6 weeks from the date of the letter and the appeal process is free of charge. DO NOT ATTEMPT to come to Ireland without pre-clearance letter (and a visa if applicable) as you will not be allowed into the country.

You will show the original valid pre-clearance letter (together with a visa if applicable) to the immigration officer at the border upon arrival in Ireland.

However, your preclearance letter and visa does not guarantee your entry in the State.

If successful, you will be given permission to enter which allows you to stay for a maximum of 3 months.

If you are a non-EEA national in Ireland and will stay longer than 3 months, you must register at the Burgh Quay Registration Office if you live in Dublin and at your regional registration office or local Garda office if you are from outside Dublin.

These materials have been prepared by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) for information purposes only with no guarantee as to accuracy or applicability to a particular set of circumstances. The materials are not intended and should not be considered to be legal advice. The information given may change from time to time and may be out of date. The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland disclaims any legal responsibility for the content or the accuracy of the information provided. MRCI is not a practising law centre.

This scheme applies to ALL non-EEA nationals residing in Dublin, who have previously registered with Immigration Service Delivery (ISD).

However, all non-EEA nationals should follow the prescribed renewal process as outlined on your permission letter. If you are unsure of how to renew, please contact a caseworker.

You will need to complete the online form, upload the required documents and pay the registration fee. You are no longer required to submit your passport to be stamped.

Please note, you will only be permitted to renew using the online renewal system, if you are within one month of the expiry date of your current IRP card.

You must pay the standard fee of €300 online. There is no extra charge. 

If you are in the State on a valid permission, and satisfy the conditions of a different stamp, or a different category of stamp, you can use the online form to change/ upgrade your status. This could include moving from a Stamp 2 student permission to a Stamp 4 Spouse of an Irish national, following marriage to an Irish national. You will need to complete the online renewal system, select the Stamp you wish to move to, and upload the required documents of the stamp you wish to move to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hatvz7QWp-s&t=12s – التسجيل للحصول على تصريح للإقامة في أيرلندا لأولئك الذين يعيشون في دبلن

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzHz2RIFrLM – (تجديد تصريح الإقامة الخاص بك للبقاء في أيرلندا عبر الإنترنت (دبلن فقط

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybhxQrimfGg – التسجيل للحصول على تصريح للإقامة في أيرلندا لأولئك الذين يعيشون خارج دبلن

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=if19e1j2JpI&t=1s – دليل المصطلحات والعبارات الخاصة بالهجرة الأيرلندية

Registering to remain in Ireland (if living in Dublin) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7RHcS84ScA

Renewing your permission to remain in Ireland (if living in Dublin) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04kc40RULEk

Registering and renewing your permission to stay in Ireland (if living outside of Dublin) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTqOp-SzP50

Guide to Irish immigration terms and phrases – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQaXJX_8xCY

डबलिन में रहने वालों के लिए आयरलैंड में रहने की अनुमति के लिए पंजीकरण – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdl7bvFCbBQ

आयरलैंड में रहने के लिए अपने परमिट को ऑनलाइन नवीनीकृत करना – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B2IzorEiQo

डबलिन के बाहर रहने वालों के लिए आयरलैंड में रहने की अनुमति का पंजीकरण और नवीनीकरण – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE-BuslXXKU

आयरिश इमिग्रेशन शर्तों और वाक्यांशों के लिए मार्गदर्शिका – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Geoh0HXarcU&t=2s

登记在都柏林生活的爱尔兰居留许可 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHPzNYsspHM

爱尔兰居留许可证网上续期（仅限都柏林） – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWothRpbgC0

爱尔兰都柏林以外地区的居留许可登记和续期 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAs-pdm0Pco

爱尔兰移民词汇与用语指南 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFEQApOIGYk&t=23s

Registo para autorização de permanência na Irlanda para quem vive em Dublin – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tP2H5t3ukiQ

Renovação online da sua autorização para permanecer na Irlanda para os que se encontram em Dublin – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcCDGjLFk5w

Registo e renovação da autorização de permanencia na Irlanda para os que vivem fora de Dublin – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdQuXwIgYjM

Guia de termos e frases sobre imigração irlandesa – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bl5ywJ6gtao

Регистрация для получения разрешения на пребывание в Ирландии для тех, кто живет в Дублине – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNMKNizAO2k

Продление разрешения на пребывание в Ирландии онлайн (ТОЛЬКО для тех, кто находится в Дублине) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3WRpyge-rI&t=1s

Регистрация и продление разрешения на пребывание в Ирландии для тех, кто живет за пределами Дублина – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgqmtBbKlNw

Гид по условиям и терминологии для иммиграции в Ирландию – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6DgUnL9Zok

Inscripción de los residentes en Dublín para solicitar el permiso de estancia en Irlanda – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5lj4Xiar5k

Renovación en línea del permiso de estancia en Irlanda (ÚNICAMENTE para los residentes en Dublín) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYcl6LyNIDQ

Registro y renovación del permiso de estancia en Irlanda para residentes fuera de Dublín – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsOVO3NLzro

Guía de términos y frases relativos a la inmigración en Irlanda – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqKDzviKGJs