Travelling to 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 . Others persons covered by the Temporary Protection Decision such as third country nationals residing in Ukraine, 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. People fleeing Ukraine who arrive at Dublin airport will be brought to Citywest by bus. Newly arrived Ukrainians seeking temporary protection will also be provided with an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card for the duration of their temporary protection permission in Ireland. Find information on renewing your Irish Residence Permit card here.
Find information on who is entitled to Temporary Protection here.
Please note the following changes in policy for Ukrainians seeking Temporary Protection in Ireland that are in place since 14 March 2024:
- Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who seek State accommodation will be provided with accommodation in designated accommodation centres for a maximum of 90 days
- While in State accommodation, beneficiaries of temporary protection will be entitled to a weekly allowance of €38.80 per adult and they will also be entitled to monthly child benefits (€140 per child) in respect of daily expenses. This is subject to an income test.
- When beneficiaries of temporary protection leave a designated accommodation centre or make their own accommodation arrangements on arrival, they will be able to apply for standard social welfare assistance, subject to meeting the eligibility conditions.
Social welfare payments have also been reduced for those in State provided serviced accommodation and having arrived prior to 14 March 2024. Please find more information here.
Persons needing temporary protection
Persons who arrived in Ireland after 24 February 2022 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
Citywest Convention Centre, Saggart, Co. Dublin, D24 A38Y
Limerick – Limerick Intreo Centre, Dominick Street, Limerick, V94X327
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;
– issue TP letters to anyone eligible who has not already obtained one.
– provide information and referrals to other services.
Please note that Irish Residence Permit (IRP cards) are only issued in the Citywest Convention Center in Dublin. Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection eligible for an IRP card and who have not already obtained one must go to Citywest where they will have their fingerprints and photograph taken. The IRP card will then be sent out to them by post. It can take up to 20 working days for the card to arrive.
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.
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.
More information about the helpdesk is available here.
Government Helpdesk for Ukrainian people seeking access to third level education
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.
Irish Red Cross offers a range of mental health and wellbeing supports for people who have fled from Ukraine to Ireland. For more information see: https://www.redcross.ie/ukrainesupport/mentalhealth/
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