Government tightens migration rules with five-year wait for citizenship

New migration strategy introduces tougher citizenship rules, higher income thresholds and stricter conditions for family reunification and refugee status

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan speaking to the media at Government Buildings, Dublin, as proposals on stricter migration rules have been brought to Cabinet. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The Government has approved sweeping changes to migration rules which will see those granted refugee status made to wait five years before applying for citizenship and could see migrants living in tents paying €1,000 a month if they earn enough.

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan announced the changes on Wednesday, saying he was “not targeting asylum seekers” but wanted to slow Ireland's population growth rate.

Mr O'Callaghan said his department is preparing a new migration strategy and that while the contribution of migrants is welcomed, “the rate of population increase is a worry.”

Among the changes announced on Wednesday:

• Legislation will ensure that Family Reunification for those granted International Protection is only approved when applicants can show they have sufficient resources to support family members, starting at a gross salary of €44,300.
• Residents of international protection accommodation in employment must contribute financially towards their accommodation, ranging from €15 to €238 a week.
• Legislation will give additional powers to revoke refugee status where a person is “found to be a danger to the security of the State or has been convicted of a serious crime.” 
• Citizenship criteria will be tightened around good character, with a new requirement that applicants are self-sufficient and have accommodation.
• Residency requirements for people granted International Protection will increase from three to five years before they can apply for citizenship.
• The existing family reunification policy for most non-European Economic Area residents will be updated to reduce waiting times for those on General Employment Permits.
• International Protection applicants for citizenship must be self-sufficient and not in receipt of certain social protection payments in the previous two years before applying.

Mr O'Callaghan did not specify which social protection payments will be included.

Asked whether the focus of the changes unfairly targeted asylum seekers rather than other migrants, Mr O'Callaghan said he did not believe the measures were unfair.

"Am I targeting asylum seekers? Absolutely not," he said.

Mr O'Callaghan said he believes current levels of asylum applications are “too high” and claimed around 87% of applicants had crossed the border from Northern Ireland. However, he said there was no prospect of a returns agreement with the UK.

“My own view is that when you look at the numbers coming into Ireland seeking asylum and international protection, prior to Covid there were approximately 3,000 to 4,000 a year in 2020 and 2021 — obviously very small numbers. In 2022, 13,500 people applied; in 2023, 13,500 people applied. In 2024, 18,500 people applied.

"Over that period of three years, we're looking at 44,000 to 45,000. My view is that that is too high. And the reason I say this too high is because when I look at the figures now, which will probably see around 13,000 this year, I can see that the overwhelming majority of people have their applications rejected at first instance.

"Now the figure in terms of rejections at first instance is approximately at present, 81%. Approximately 70% of people appeal, and I think somewhere between 60 and 70% of those appeals fail. So when you look at the statistics overall, the overwhelming majority of people who apply for asylum international protection are not granted. I think that's a legitimate reason for me, then, to say that the numbers are too high because too many people are using it as a means to come in when, in fact, they should be applying for work visas."