Just hours after publishing the International Protection Bill, the Government confirmed that one of its most controversial elements—a three-year bar on family-reunification applications by refugees—will be retained when the draft reaches Cabinet this week. A briefing note leaked to the press shows that spouses, partners and dependent children will have to wait 36 months after international-protection status is granted before they can join their relative in Ireland. Financial self-sufficiency tests, based on prescribed income thresholds and an absence of certain welfare payments, will also apply.
Officials argue the change brings Ireland into line with the more restrictive time-frames endorsed by EU Member States under the Migration and Asylum Pact and will help curb “secondary movements” within the EU. The Department of Justice points to record asylum numbers—more than 18,000 applications in 2025—and an acute shortage of State-funded accommodation as justification.
For those trying to navigate Ireland’s shifting immigration landscape—including employers assisting staff and refugees gathering documents—VisaHQ offers up-to-date guidance and hands-on processing support. Its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) tracks legislative changes in real time and provides step-by-step help with visa, residence and family-reunification paperwork, easing the administrative burden while policies continue to evolve.
![Three-Year Waiting Period for Refugee Family Reunification Heads for Cabinet Approval]()
Human-rights NGOs and several opposition TDs have condemned the move, warning that prolonged family separation will hamper integration and create mental-health pressures. Business group Ibec is equally uneasy: many employers convert refugee Stamp 4 holders to permanent roles and fear that longer solo assignments will deter skilled candidates. HR teams are advised to budget for extended single-status allowances and to review mobility policies that reference family-joined dates.
Legal advisers note that the Bill is silent on transitory arrangements. Refugees who already hold status may be able to file reunification requests before the law enters force, potentially creating a rush of applications in the coming weeks. Companies with refugee employees should brief them promptly on documentation requirements and processing times at the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
If enacted unchanged, the three-year threshold will take effect alongside the broader Bill in mid-2026. The coalition has signalled limited appetite for concessions, but last-minute committee-stage amendments remain possible—making continued engagement by employers and civil society essential.
Officials argue the change brings Ireland into line with the more restrictive time-frames endorsed by EU Member States under the Migration and Asylum Pact and will help curb “secondary movements” within the EU. The Department of Justice points to record asylum numbers—more than 18,000 applications in 2025—and an acute shortage of State-funded accommodation as justification.
For those trying to navigate Ireland’s shifting immigration landscape—including employers assisting staff and refugees gathering documents—VisaHQ offers up-to-date guidance and hands-on processing support. Its online portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) tracks legislative changes in real time and provides step-by-step help with visa, residence and family-reunification paperwork, easing the administrative burden while policies continue to evolve.
Human-rights NGOs and several opposition TDs have condemned the move, warning that prolonged family separation will hamper integration and create mental-health pressures. Business group Ibec is equally uneasy: many employers convert refugee Stamp 4 holders to permanent roles and fear that longer solo assignments will deter skilled candidates. HR teams are advised to budget for extended single-status allowances and to review mobility policies that reference family-joined dates.
Legal advisers note that the Bill is silent on transitory arrangements. Refugees who already hold status may be able to file reunification requests before the law enters force, potentially creating a rush of applications in the coming weeks. Companies with refugee employees should brief them promptly on documentation requirements and processing times at the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
If enacted unchanged, the three-year threshold will take effect alongside the broader Bill in mid-2026. The coalition has signalled limited appetite for concessions, but last-minute committee-stage amendments remain possible—making continued engagement by employers and civil society essential.
