Rule change removes domestic-abuse ‘barrier’
Victims and survivors of domestic abuse will be exempt from an immigration-registration fee of €300 under regulations signed by Minister of State Colm Brophy.
Under immigration guidelines, anyone who experiences domestic abuse, and whose permission to be in Ireland is linked to the perpetrator of that abuse, can apply to the immigration service for a separate, independent immigration permission.
The application for this permission is free, and the Department of Justice says that requests are dealt with “sensitively” by the immigration authorities.
Exemptions
When a person applies for a residency permit, they are required to pay a registration fee of €300.
Exemptions from the registration fee are provided by law.
While some survivors and victims were already exempt under the previous regulations, Minister Brophy has now amended these regulations to expressly include survivors and victims of domestic violence who are granted an independent permission.
“We know people who are subject to domestic abuse are particularly vulnerable when they are dependent on their partner sponsoring their immigration permission,” the minister said.
“With this change, we are removing a financial barrier to them seeking help,” he added.