There are two forms of international protection – having status in Ireland as a refugee or as a person eligible for subsidiary protection. If a person is unsuccessful in their international protection application, they may still be given permission to remain in Ireland if it is deemed appropriate because of their particular circumstances. A person can apply for international protection to the International Protection Office.
Some people come to Ireland as programme refugees. This means that the Irish government has decided to allow them to live in Ireland following a request by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
To find out more about how to apply for international protection in Ireland or to learn how an application is processed, please visit the website of the International Protection Office at www.ipo.gov.ie or the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.