The Afghan Admission Programme has opened for applications from today Thursday, 16 December 2021.

The Programme will enable current or former Afghan nationals living legally in Ireland to apply to have their close family members, who are living in Afghanistan or who have recently fled to territories bordering Afghanistan, to apply for temporary residence in Ireland. The eligible neighbouring countries are: Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

Up to 500 places will be available on the Programme, which is a key part of the Government’s response to the evolving humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. The Programme is part of a co-ordinated national response, in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to the crisis in Afghanistan.

The application form and guidance material to help with completing an application are now available and applications will be accepted until 5pm on the 24 February 2022.

The Programme will allow the applicant to nominate up to four family members to be considered for approval to join them in Ireland. If approved a family member would qualify subject to the availability of places under the Programme.

The Programme outlines the intended family members who would be covered by the Scheme, that is: a spouse, civil partner, defacto partner, their minor children and adult children where they are unmarried and do not have dependents. It will also allow the applicant to nominate a grandparent or a related minor child without parents where the applicant has parental responsibility. The applicant can also nominate a vulnerable close family member who does not have spouse, partner or other close relative to support them.

It is important to note that the eligibility criteria requires that the applicant must be able to maintain their nominated family members, including to provide them with accommodation. They would also have responsibility for covering travel costs.

Those who can avail of the other avenues already in place whereby Afghan nationals might lawfully enter the State should continue to do so.