The Government has approved a scheme to regularise thousands of undocumented migrants and their families who are living in Ireland.
According to a report by RTE News, the Department of Justice said it will enable eligible applicants to remain and reside in the State and regularise their residency status. The process will be based on a number of eligibilities including the duration of their stay in the country.
“These people already live and work in our communities and their children go to schools here,” Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said, on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.
“And yet they’re undocumented. It leaves them very vulnerable, it leaves their families vulnerable and it means that they can’t become a full part of our society.”
Application to the scheme starts from January and will be open for six months. Applicants must have a period of four-year undocumented residence in the State, or three years in the case of those with children. Successful applicants will receive immigration permission, access to the labour market and will be able to begin a path to citizenship.
Those with an existing Deportation Order can apply, if they meet the minimum undocumented residence requirement. People with expired student permissions will also be able to apply.
The eligibility criteria also include good character, lack of criminal record/behaviour and not posing a threat to the state. However having convictions for minor offences will not, of itself, result in disqualification.
Full eligibility criteria:
- Opening application process in January 2022.
- Applications will be accepted for six months.
- Applicants must meet standards regarding good character and criminal record/behaviour and not pose a threat to the State.
- Applicants must have a period of four years undocumented residence in the State, or three years in the case of those with children.
- Applicants with Deportation Orders are included.
- Section 3 process under the IP Act, 2015 are included.
- Applicants with EUTR visas revoked/cancelled are included.
- It also includes a separate track for International Protection applicants who are in the process for a minimum of 2 years.
- Those applicants who are successful will receive immigration permission, access to the labour market and can begin a path to citizenship.
- Up to 90 days break/absence from the State is allowed under the scheme.
- If application is refused, then an appeal can be made against the refusal.
- Application would be filled online.
- Family applications, which includes children up to the age of 23, will cost €700 while individuals must pay €550 to apply.
- Asylum seekers who have spent at least two years awaiting a decision can also apply for regularisation and will be exempt from paying an application and registration fee.