Applications must be made while you are in Ireland. You should have some form of current immigration status, either as the dependent of an Irish national or a foreign national who has immigration permission to live in Ireland. If your immigration status has lapsed, you can still apply, but you must clearly explain in the application why the permission was not renewed.

Applications should be submitted in writing to:

Unit 2, Domestic Residence and Permissions Division (previously General Immigration),
13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

There is no application fee. However, if the application is successful, the normal registration fee will apply.

The application, which can be submitted through a solicitor or directly by you, should detail the domestic violence and request independent immigration status. Include any relevant family circumstances, especially if children are involved, and provide information on whether you or the perpetrator has left the family home

For the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) to fully consider your application for independent status under this policy, you will need to provide as much information as possible to support your claim that you are a victim of domestic violence. The following original documents would be helpful:

• Protection Order, Safety Order, or Barring Order from the Courts
• Medical reports indicating injuries consistent with domestic violence, including details of the doctor and dates of consultation
• Garda reports of incidents of domestic violence
• A letter from a State body (such as the Health Service Executive) indicating that it is handling your case as an issue of domestic violence
• A letter of support from a domestic violence support organisation
• Any other evidence indicating that you are a victim of domestic violence

Generally, the immigration status granted will be the same as the one previously held as a dependent (normally Stamp 3). The key difference is that this status is no longer dependent on the spouse or partner, meaning that person will have no say in whether you are permitted to stay in Ireland. If you need to work to support yourself or family members lawfully residing in the State, consideration will be given to granting permission to work.

All decisions are at the Minister’s discretion.

Community Navigators are community members who receive specialised training to provide information for their communities in an empowering and effective way. Community navigators are also liaisons between their community, legal service providers, social service organisations and other support services available. Read more about Community Navigators.

A number of other agencies also offer support, advice and advocacy for immigrants (including economic migrants, asylum seekers and refugees) living in Ireland including on issues such as residency rights, family reunification and access to employment. These include:

• Migrants Rights Centre
• Irish Refugee Council
• Refugee Legal Services

• Immigration Service Delivery (IDS) Victims of Domestic Violence Immigration Guidelines (PDF)