Ireland extends suspension of visa-free travel for people with refugee status

The Irish authorities have decided to extend the suspension of visa-free travel for people with refugee status for another 12 months.

Announcing the news, the Department of Justice of Ireland said that the suspension means that all people with refugee status will be required to hold a valid visa in order to be permitted entry into the country rather than travelling visa-free with their Convention Travel Document, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

As the authorities explain, the decision to continue requiring those with refugee status to hold a visa was taken in light of the evidence of people applying for asylum in Ireland despite of having already received refugee status in another European Union country.

Commenting on the matter, the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, said that such a measure was needed taking into account the pressure on the country’s international protection system.

“It is not a decision taken lightly, but it is the right one for Ireland at this time to ensure the integrity of our immigration system, to avoid any undue pressure on systems that are already under strain and to make sure that those who need protection in Ireland can get it and get it quickly,” Martin added.

The Minister of Justice of Ireland, Helen McEntee, also commented on the extension of the visa requirements for people with refugee status.

She said that this decision is necessary to protect the integrity of the country’s immigration system.

However, at the same time, McEntee stressed that “the visa waiver introduced for people fleeing to Ireland from Ukraine remains unaffected.”

She further stressed that the country’s commitment to protecting as well as assisting people in need remains unwavering and said that Ireland will continue upholding its obligations towards international protection applicants as well as refugees.

As the Department of Justice of Ireland explains, the country continues to register a higher number of applications for international protection compared to the pre-pandemic period.

The same revealed that prior to the introduction of the visa suspension in July 2022, the country saw a 191 per cent increase in applicants by the end of June compared to the same period in 2019.

In order to help the country with the high number of applications, the relevant authorities have consistently been making changes to modernise as well as accelerate procedures.

In November of last year, Ireland introduced new accelerated procedures for everyone who arrives in the country from the so-called safe countries of origin.

Data show that since the introduction of the suspension, a total of 803 Convention Travel Document visa applications have been registered. Of them, 697 were granted, whereas 105 were refused.

Courtesy: schengenvisainfo