If you or others are in Ukraine or neighbouring countries, you can find more information on procedures in place to assist people here:
If you or others are in Ukraine or neighbouring countries, you can find more information on procedures in place to assist people in the country that you are in:
Visit Help Ukraine if you are inside the country
Visit Help Hungary
Visit Help Poland and also the Polish government website for Ukrainians: https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc/ukraina-en (to be scrolled down for additional languages and government hotline number: +48477217575)
Visit Help Romania: and the website of our partner, the Romanian National Council for Refugees: https://www.cnrr.ro/index.php/ro/
In Slovakia: https://help.unhcr.org/slovakia/ and the government site https://ua.gov.sk/en.html
Travelling to and arrival in Ireland
Ukrainian nationals do not require a visa to travel to Ireland. Non-Ukrainian family members and others fleeing Ukraine may however require a visa. You can find out if you need a visa here. Persons covered by the Temporary Protection Decision, if required, must be given an Irish visa or an Irish transit visa free of charge.
People who are entitled to Temporary Protection will be provided with a letter detailing their temporary protection in the State and their immigration permission. This process will be conducted for the majority of arrivals at Citywest centre in Dublin. This permission letter will enable them to access all necessary supports as soon as possible. A welcome team from the Department of Justice will meet those who arrive from Cherbourg, France via ferry at Rosslare Harbour on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. People fleeing Ukraine who arrive at Dublin airport will be brought to Citywest by bus.
Those who arrived in Ireland prior to 9 March or who were not able to register for Temporary Protection upon arrival, were given an initial 90 day immigration permission upon arrival; people who this applies to should seek to register for temporary protection before this permission expires.
Find information on who is entitled to Temporary Protection here.
Persons needing temporary protection or PPS numbers
Persons who arrived in Ireland after 24 February and did not register for Temporary Protection on arrival should go to a regional hub in Dublin, Cork or Limerick to get a Temporary Protection letter.
Three regional hubs to support Ukrainian families have now been opened in the following locations:
- Cork – Cork City PSC and PPSN Centre, Department of Social Protection, Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62
- Dublin – Guild Building, Cork Street, Dublin 8, D08 XH90
- Limerick – 2nd Floor, Riverstone House, 23-27 Henry Street, Limerick City, V94 R7YE
The opening hours for these centres are as follows:
| Monday | 9.15am – 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9.15am – 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9.15am – 5pm |
| Thursday | 10.30am – 5pm |
| Friday | 9.15am – 4.30pm |
For more information on these centres click here and for more information on social welfare supports click here.
These centres offer in-person meetings with people displaced from Ukraine to:
- prioritise the acceptance and processing-to-award of applications for PPS Numbers and income supports;
- to issue TP letters to anyone eligible who has not already obtained one.
- provide information and referrals to other services
People who are not eligible for Temporary Protection
Those persons who are not eligible for temporary protection should consider their individual circumstances and use the 90 day period to regularise their status either through regular immigration channels (for instance on the basis of family connections) or by applying for international protection.
Official information
For general information on the supports and services available while you are in Ireland please see this website.
For immigration questions for people displaced from Ukraine please see the Frequently Asked Questions document from the Department of Justice.
For accommodation and social welfare concerns please see the Frequently Asked Questions document from the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Citizen’s information.
For guidance for parents and carers from Ukraine on supporting the wellbeing of their children see here.
For up to date official information on immigration matters visit https://www.irishimmigration.ie.
For support for LGBTIQ+ people fleeing Ukraine please see here.
Please note the Irish Government is still coordinating a national response and more information will be provided in due course.
For information on your rights in the European Union and travelling inside the European Union please see this website from the European Commission.
Helplines
Irish Refugee Council
The Irish Refugee Council has an Information Helpline in Ukrainian. You can contact them from Monday to Friday 10.00am to 1.00pm on +353 (1) 913 1528.
The helpline is confidential, independent and gives information. You can read about it here.
The National Student and Researcher (NSR) Helpdesk
This facility is available to assist Ukrainian students and researchers who are seeking to continue their higher education studies in Ireland.
Those seeking assistance can contact [email protected] or call +353 (0)1 474 7788.
More information about the helpdesk is available here.
Women’s Aid Helpline
Call (01) 913 1528 from 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday if you are a Ukrainian person in Ireland experiencing domestic violence.
Read more information about services available to you here.
Temporary Protection
The European Council decided on 4 March to activate the Temporary Protection Directive.
This European law was originally passed up in the aftermath of the Yugoslav war and was designed to be used in the event of a “mass influx or imminent mass influx” of people coming into the EU. It aims to offer immediate help to large groups of people by granting a form of collective protection status. This is the first time the Directive has been activated.
Who can avail of Temporary Protection?
The following people who have fled Ukraine, can avail of a temporary protection to reside in Ireland:
a) Ukrainian nationals who were residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022;
b) Nationals of a third country (other than Ukraine) or stateless persons who benefited from international protection (e.g. refugee status) or an equivalent national protection status in Ukraine and were residing there before 24 February 2022,
c) Family members of persons covered by a) and b) where the family already existed in Ukraine prior to 24 February.
Those family members include a spouse or partner, unmarried minor children of either of them, and their other close dependent family relatives who have been living with them as part of the family unit.
d) Stateless persons and nationals of countries other than Ukraine who have been residing in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 with a permanent Ukrainian residence permit, who cannot safely return to their country of origin.
Nationals of countries other than Ukraine who were legally residing in Ukraine without a permanent residence permit are not eligible for temporary protection. Such persons will be assisted to return to their country of origin, with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), if it is safe for them to do so. Alternatively, if it is not safe to return to their country of origin they may apply for international protection in Ireland.
Temporary Protection for Ukrainian nationals in Ireland before 24 February 2022
Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Ireland on a short stay ‘C’ type visa will also be able to avail of Temporary Protection. They can apply for this permission by visiting the Ukraine Support Centre in Cork St, Dublin 8 (in the Guild Building, D08 XH90) and in Limerick (the Limerick Intreo Centre, Dominic Street, V94 X327). It is not necessary to make an appointment.
Additionally, Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Ireland on another immigration permission or stamp, for example as a student or as someone with an employment permit, will remain on that permission/stamp until it expires or falls due for renewal. At that point, they may decide whether to further extend or renew the existing permission or to avail of Temporary Protection for the remainder of the period for which it is available as determined by the EU Council.
How long does temporary protection last?
The temporary protection permission allows beneficiaries to reside in Ireland for a period of 1 year, and the permission may be extended for further periods after that.
What rights and entitlements do I have with Temporary Protection?
People who are granted Temporary Protection have access to various rights and entitlements.
Beneficiaries of temporary protection will have access to,
- A Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)
- Employment and self-employment
- Suitable accommodation or assistance in obtaining housing
- School if they are children under 18 years
- Social welfare income supports
- Ukrainian nationals will be able to get health care services from the HSE including access to GPs, community care and hospital or emergency care, as well as access to services for children’s health, mental health, disabilities, maternity care, older people and many more. Ukrainian nationals will be able to get the same health services as people who are already living here, including Irish citizens. Please see information here or at the bottom of this page.
Information on accessing these supports is available here:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/faqs-for-ukraine-nationals-and-residents-of-ukraine/
The Services, Industrial, Professional and Technical Union (SIPTU) represents over 180,000 workers from many categories of employment across the Irish economy. SIPTU has produced a ‘Know Your Rights at Work in Ireland’ guide in Ukrainian. This guide provides refugees with a basic introduction to their rights and entitlements at work and advice on how to get advice and representation if required. You can find the Ukrainian booklet here and English booklet here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What documentation do I need to travel to Ireland?
All immigration services and airlines must be satisfied as to the identity of a person presenting at a border. Airlines have been asked to accept Government issued identity documents for Ukrainian nationals, not usually acceptable for international travel, in lieu of a national passport: including, for example, National ID Cards, Birth Certificates, Internal Passports and expired passports. Irish Immigration authorities have requested that boarding is not refused to anyone without first contacting immigration authorities in Ireland. If you experience problems you may contact the Border Management Unit at [email protected] for assistance.
Do I need a PCR Test to travel to Ireland?
From Sunday 6 March 2022, travellers to Ireland are not required to show proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative PCR test result upon arrival. There are no post-arrival testing or quarantine requirements for travellers to Ireland.
Any individual that develops COVID-19 symptoms while in Ireland should follow the HSE guidance in relation to isolation and undertaking antigen or PCR testing as appropriate.
What documentation will I have to prove that I have been granted temporary protection?
On arrival in the state or shortly thereafter you will be provided with a letter from the Minister for Justice confirming that you are a beneficiary of Temporary Protection in Ireland granted under section 60 of the International Protection Act 2015. This is all the proof you need to be able to immediately access employment, income support, accommodation (if needed) and other State supports in Ireland. If you are granted temporary protection in Ireland you will also receive a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).
Should I apply for international protection?
There is no requirement for Ukrainian nationals and others covered by the Temporary Protection Decision to seek international protection (also known as asylum) to receive the support and protection of the Irish State. The EU Temporary Protection Directive provides a quicker and more streamlined alternative in these circumstances.
While you can, of course, always choose to apply for international protection, you cannot benefit from temporary protection at the same time.
Temporary protection will provide you with immediate access to the labour market, along with access to social welfare income supports, accommodation and other State supports. If you choose to apply for international protection, you should be aware that you will not be able to access employment until 6 months after making your application.
I’ve recently arrived from Ukraine and need accommodation, where can I go?
You may stay with family or friends if that is an option for you. If, however, you are in need of accommodation when you arrive tell this to the Immigration Officer who will direct you further. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, is responsible for providing temporary accommodation to those who need it. While many people have been accommodated in hotels or similar lodgements to date, accommodation is now very scarce and you may be offered shared accommodation in a variety of buildings adapted for temporary use as an accommodation or transit centre. To get in touch with the Department, please contact the Ukraine Temporary Accommodation Team at [email protected]
I was living in Ireland prior to 24 February. Can I apply for Temporary Protection or international protection?
Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Ireland on a short stay ‘C’ type visa will also be able to avail of Temporary Protection. They can apply for this permission by visiting the Ukraine Support Centre in Cork St, Dublin 8 (in the Guild Building, D08 XH90) and in Limerick (the Limerick Intreo Centre, Dominic Street, V94 X327). It is not necessary to make an appointment.
Additionally, Ukrainian nationals who are currently in Ireland on another immigration permission or stamp, for example as a student or as someone with an employment permit, will remain on that permission/stamp until it expires or falls due for renewal. At that point, they may decide whether to further extend or renew the existing permission or to avail of Temporary Protection for the remainder of the period for which it is available as determined by the EU Council.
You may also apply for international protection at any time. However, be aware that the rights and entitlements of international protection applicants will differ from your current residency permission. For more information, please click here.
Can I travel to other European countries?
Ukrainian nationals can travel to other countries in the EU without a visa; you have the right to travel within the European Union for 90 days within a 180-day period. The United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) however still requires Ukrainians to apply for a visa to enter. Nationals of other countries are advised to check the visa requirements of the country concerned prior to travel. As the UK has left the EU the Temporary Protection Decision does not apply there. The Temporary Protection Directive applies in all EU Member States except Denmark. It doesn’t apply in Schengen associated countries (Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland).
According to the EU Commission, if you change your residence and move to another EU country, the residence permit in the first EU country will expire and your rights there will come to an end. The new host EU country should give you temporary protection and issue a new residence permit. It is important that you inform the authorities of the first EU country that you intend to move to another Member State.
Can UNHCR assist me to move or resettle to another country?
There is no onward resettlement programme for Ukrainians to move from Ireland or elsewhere to a third country. Resettlement programmes are not established in countries where the asylum system provides effective protection to everybody in need of it, as in Ireland.
UNHCR in Ireland therefore cannot assist Ukrainians to resettle to other countries such as Australia, Canada or the USA. The decision on admission and entry is taken solely by the responsible national authority of the country of destination.
To find information on options to go to any of these countries, you should contact the embassies of those countries directly or visit the following pages:
Australia: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/ukraine-visa-support
USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/information-for-nationals-of-Ukraine.html