The Irish Government is preparing the most substantial overhaul of its family-reunification regime since the International Protection Act 2015. According to details reported on 15 November, Ministers Jim O’Callaghan (Justice) and Colm Brophy (Migration) have completed draft measures that will go to Cabinet this week. The proposals respond to a record 18,500 asylum applications in 2024 and a 60 % jump in family-reunification requests over the same period.
If adopted, people granted refugee or subsidiary-protection status will have to show that: 1) they have paid all required contributions to the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS); 2) they can demonstrate adequate, long-term housing for arriving relatives; and 3) they meet higher income thresholds. Officials indicate the minimum earnings test for non-EEA residents will rise from €30,000 to a band of €35,000-€40,000—although exemptions are expected for health-care workers and other shortage occupations.
![Ireland plans tougher financial and accommodation tests for asylum family reunification]()
The package also tackles alleged abuse of the student-visa route, particularly in the English-language college sector. A task-force led by the Department of Further and Higher Education will introduce tighter attendance monitoring and may cap work-hours for non-EU language students. The moves mirror the UK’s newly-announced limits on dependant visas and reflect mounting cross-channel political pressure to control migration flows.
For employers, the biggest immediate effect will be longer timelines for bringing dependants to Ireland and a need to budget for higher salary floors if they intend to support family-reunification applications. Multinationals that routinely relocate non-EU talent should review relocation policies, housing allowances and shadow-payroll calculations in light of the draft rules. Immigration advisers also warn that stricter documentation requirements could extend overall processing times.
Politically, the reforms are designed to reassure voters ahead of next year’s general election while avoiding an outright cap on refugee numbers. By focusing on financial sustainability, the Government believes it can withstand potential legal challenges under EU family-unity law. Human-rights NGOs, however, argue the measures risk prolonging family separation and could drive asylum seekers into destitution if they are unable to meet the new accommodation test.
If adopted, people granted refugee or subsidiary-protection status will have to show that: 1) they have paid all required contributions to the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS); 2) they can demonstrate adequate, long-term housing for arriving relatives; and 3) they meet higher income thresholds. Officials indicate the minimum earnings test for non-EEA residents will rise from €30,000 to a band of €35,000-€40,000—although exemptions are expected for health-care workers and other shortage occupations.
The package also tackles alleged abuse of the student-visa route, particularly in the English-language college sector. A task-force led by the Department of Further and Higher Education will introduce tighter attendance monitoring and may cap work-hours for non-EU language students. The moves mirror the UK’s newly-announced limits on dependant visas and reflect mounting cross-channel political pressure to control migration flows.
For employers, the biggest immediate effect will be longer timelines for bringing dependants to Ireland and a need to budget for higher salary floors if they intend to support family-reunification applications. Multinationals that routinely relocate non-EU talent should review relocation policies, housing allowances and shadow-payroll calculations in light of the draft rules. Immigration advisers also warn that stricter documentation requirements could extend overall processing times.
Politically, the reforms are designed to reassure voters ahead of next year’s general election while avoiding an outright cap on refugee numbers. By focusing on financial sustainability, the Government believes it can withstand potential legal challenges under EU family-unity law. Human-rights NGOs, however, argue the measures risk prolonging family separation and could drive asylum seekers into destitution if they are unable to meet the new accommodation test.
