Immigration fees waived for victims and survivors of domestic abuse

Victims of domestic abuse will not be required to pay the immigration registration fee of €300.

Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy has signed into effect regulations to facilitate arrangements for survivors and victims of domestic abuse which exempts them from immigration registration fees.

Under the 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. Providing a separate and independent permission removes barriers for people to leave abusive relationships or unsafe family environments. The application for this permission is free and requests are dealt with sensitively by the immigration authorities.

Both Minister Brophy and Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan are committed to protecting victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence as a matter of priority and consequently encourages people to come forward and access State support services where previously they may have been hesitant to do so.