Ireland’s International Protection Bill—flagship legislation intended to align national asylum rules with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact—underwent a significant amendment in the Dáil on 12 February 2026. Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan confirmed that refugees will need to reside in Ireland for just two years, rather than the initially proposed three, before applying to bring spouses and children to the State.
The climb-down follows cross-party criticism and a European Court of Human Rights judgment that found Denmark’s three-year rule disproportionate. Irish NGOs argued that extended separation hampered integration and contravened Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Individuals navigating these evolving requirements may find external support invaluable. VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) provides step-by-step assistance with family-reunification visas, travel documents and residence permits, ensuring applicants and employers remain compliant as the new rules take effect.
![Family-reunification wait for refugees cut to two years in revised International Protection Bill]()
Beyond reunification, the Bill sets an ambitious six-month target for completing asylum decisions (three months for first instance, three for appeal) and creates a new Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals with expanded video-hearing powers. It also introduces accelerated procedures for applicants from EU-designated “safe” countries, potentially reducing processing to 12 weeks.
For employers, the changes matter because a more predictable, faster system should shorten the period during which candidates with protection status are restricted from international travel or long-term assignment. HR specialists also note that earlier family unity improves retention: staff are less likely to seek secondary movement to other EU states when relatives can join them sooner.
The Department of Justice will draft secondary regulations to operationalise the two-year rule, including documentation standards and digital filing via the Immigration Service Delivery portal. Officials expect the revised Bill to clear the Seanad before Easter, with most provisions taking effect on 1 July 2026, in tandem with EU-wide reforms.
The climb-down follows cross-party criticism and a European Court of Human Rights judgment that found Denmark’s three-year rule disproportionate. Irish NGOs argued that extended separation hampered integration and contravened Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Individuals navigating these evolving requirements may find external support invaluable. VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) provides step-by-step assistance with family-reunification visas, travel documents and residence permits, ensuring applicants and employers remain compliant as the new rules take effect.
Beyond reunification, the Bill sets an ambitious six-month target for completing asylum decisions (three months for first instance, three for appeal) and creates a new Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals with expanded video-hearing powers. It also introduces accelerated procedures for applicants from EU-designated “safe” countries, potentially reducing processing to 12 weeks.
For employers, the changes matter because a more predictable, faster system should shorten the period during which candidates with protection status are restricted from international travel or long-term assignment. HR specialists also note that earlier family unity improves retention: staff are less likely to seek secondary movement to other EU states when relatives can join them sooner.
The Department of Justice will draft secondary regulations to operationalise the two-year rule, including documentation standards and digital filing via the Immigration Service Delivery portal. Officials expect the revised Bill to clear the Seanad before Easter, with most provisions taking effect on 1 July 2026, in tandem with EU-wide reforms.
