Asylum in Ireland - The application process and key steps from application to appeal

Last updated: 21 September 2026

Introduction

Ireland provides asylum to individuals experiencing persecution in their home country and in need of protection. As a member of the European Union, Ireland adheres to international standards, including the 1951 Refugee Convention and the EU Directives on Refugees and Migration. However, the asylum process in Ireland can be complex, and it is important to understand all the key stages—from the application to any appeal.

In this article, we will cover the asylum process in Ireland in detail, including the key steps:

1. Submitting an application.
2. Consideration of the application.
3. Appeal.
4. Submitting a new application in case of refusal.

This guide will help you navigate each step of the process, prepare for potential challenges, and present your case effectively.

1. Applying for Asylum

The asylum application process in Ireland begins with an application to the Department of Justice and Equality. You can submit an asylum application either upon entry into the country or while in Ireland.

At the border or airport
If you arrive in Ireland and intend to apply for asylum, you must immediately notify border control officers at the airport or border. You may then be referred to a refugee center for further processing.

Within the country
If you are already in Ireland, you can submit an application directly to the Refugee and Migration Service of the Department of Justice.

You submit an application in writing, providing the following documents:

• Passport or other identification documents.
• An explanation of the reasons why you cannot return to your country (e.g. political persecution, threats, wars).
• Evidence of harassment or threats (threatening letters, medical records, photographs, witness statements, etc.).

After submitting your application, you may be invited to an interview where the validity of your request will be assessed.

2. Application Processing:
Once your application has been submitted, it will be processed in Ireland. A key step is an interview with representatives of the Refugee and Migration Service, where you will be asked to detail your story and explain the reasons why you cannot return to your home country.

Initial Interview:
During the interview, it is important to discuss your fears and concerns, explain why you are being persecuted, and what threats you might face if you return home. You will also be asked to provide evidence of persecution, such as threatening letters, medical certificates, or other documents that support your story.

Application Assessment:
The Refugee and Migration Service will review all the evidence submitted and make a decision on whether to grant asylum. If the decision is positive, the applicant will be granted refugee status. If your application is rejected, you will be informed of possible next steps, including the right to appeal.

3. Appealing a Refusal
If your asylum application is rejected, you have the right to appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal. The appeal must be filed within 15 working days of receiving the refusal.

The appeal process:

1. Timeframe: The appeal must be filed within 15 working days of the refusal.
2. Submitting New Evidence: It is important to provide new evidence or explanations that could change the decision. This may include additional documents or new evidence that was not presented in the previous step.
3. Appeal Review: The Appeal Review Board evaluates all the evidence and makes a decision. If the decision is positive, you will be granted refugee status. If the refusal is repeated, you may be offered the opportunity to apply for temporary protection.

4. The role of the expert report in the appeal

At the appeal stage, the expert report becomes a key tool

It helps:

• Confirm that the RPD decision failed to take into account important aspects of the case.
• Point out errors in the interpretation of evidence or the situation in the country.
• Substantiate new evidence if the situation in the applicant's country has changed.

What is a Country Expert Report?
An expert report is an independent document prepared by an expert to confirm the reality of threats in the applicant's country.
The report's objectives are to:

Confirm the overall context:

• Describe the current situation in the country: political instability, repression, conflicts.
• Show how these conditions affect the applicant.

Strengthen the evidence base:

• Justify that the applicant belongs to a vulnerable group.
• Show why he cannot safely return to his country.

Support the facts with links:

• Each fact is confirmed by references to Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN and others.

Russia and CIS Expert: Assistance in preparing expert witness reports for asylum applicants from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan

My name is Maxim Kharitonov, and I am an expert on human rights , political repression, and social abuses in the CIS countries. My work focuses on providing objective and professional expert witness reports for asylum seekers in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and the European Union. I specialize in analyzing and presenting evidence supporting the risks of persecution in the former Soviet Union.

My achievements:

• Over 100 successfully prepared expert witness reports for asylum applicants from CIS countries, including Russia, Belarus, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – at the appeals and initial application stages.
• Collaboration with leading US and UK law firms, including the preparation of reports that have become key evidence in successful asylum cases.
• Winner of the Expert Witness Awards 2024 in the category "Best Expert on Immigration Issues".
• My in-depth knowledge of the legal and political situation in the CIS countries allows me to objectively assess the risks of political persecution, human rights violations, and other factors affecting the safety of applicants.
• Recognition as a respected expert in the field of human rights and political repression, including inclusion in the Experts for Immigration and Justice (EIN) database: https://www.ein.org.uk/experts/kharitonov

Having gone through the asylum process myself, I understand how important it is to present the court with a complete and accurate picture of what happened.

If you are looking for a professional expert on political asylum issues from the CIS countries, my services will help you prepare a strong and compelling case for your clients.

How I prepare an expert report:

• Analysis of the General Situation: I examine the political, religious and social conditions in the applicant's country of origin, including repression, persecution, human rights violations and other threats.
• Analysis of the applicant's circumstances: I study the statement, interview, provided documents and the decision of the court or immigration authority.
• Research: I use international and local sources, such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the UN , and local media. I support every fact with references using the OSCOLA methodology.
• Compliance with standards:
• My reports are strictly regulated and comply with the guidelines set out in the Upper Tribunal's Practice Direction on Expert Evidence.
• Having accepted responsibility for the analysis and preparation of the report, I confirm the accuracy of all facts presented and the correctness of the opinions expressed.

Declaration of Truthfulness:

At the end of each report, I sign a declaration confirming that all information presented is based on reliable sources and that the opinions expressed are my own.

Liability to Court:

• My professional remuneration is not dependent on the outcome of the case, which guarantees objectivity and the fulfillment of my duty to the court.
• In some cases, I may be called to court to provide evidence regarding circumstances in the appellant's country of origin.

— Maxim Kharitonov

How to contact me
: Email: info@thehuman-rights.com

Application on the website:
thehuman-rights.com

Working hours:

• I respond to requests within 1 hour.

• I prepare reports within 1 week, including complex and extensive cases.

5. Temporary Protection
If your appeal is rejected and you are not granted refugee status, you may be able to apply for Temporary Protection. This program provides you with protection for a set period of time if there have been changes in your home country that increase the risks to you, or if there is new evidence to support your risks.

6. Supreme Court of Ireland
If your appeal and Temporary Protection are rejected, you may be able to appeal to the Supreme Court of Ireland, which reviews legal errors made in the decision-making process.

7. Fresh Claim
If all previous steps have failed, you may be able to submit a Fresh Claim if new evidence or significant changes in the situation in your home country have emerged that could affect the outcome of your case.

Conclusion
The asylum process in Ireland can be lengthy and requires careful preparation, particularly at the appeal stage. An expert report plays a key role in confirming the veracity of your claims and can significantly impact your outcome. Preparing a quality report is an important step that will help you at every stage of the Irish asylum process.

Contact me:
• Email: info@thehuman-rights.com
• Web: thehuman-rights.com
I am ready to help you build a strong and compelling case!