Organisations helping migrants in Ireland: asylum, residence, work, who to contact

Information checked on 2 November 2026.

In an emergency in Ireland: call 112 or 999, the country's two emergency numbers. For questions about your rights, the public service Citizens Information answers by phone on 0818 07 4000 and in its local centres. For a problem with residence, asylum or work, the organisations below give free information and, in some cases, legal representation.

There are not many organisations helping migrants in Ireland, but they are well known, and each has its speciality: asylum, residence and family, or work. This guide tells you which one to call for your situation. It is part of our guide to organisations helping migrants in Europe and the Americas.

Organisations helping migrants in Ireland, in one table

Compatri is not linked to any of these organisations: we list them because they are recognised references in the country.

Public services, listed separately

• Immigration Service Delivery (ISD), at the Department of Justice, handles registration of your immigration permission (IRP card), visas and citizenship, with an online portal: irishimmigration.ie.
• The International Protection Office (IPO) receives applications for international protection (asylum).
• Citizens Information is the public information service on rights, published by the Citizens Information Board, with centres in every county: citizensinformation.ie.

Asylum and international protection

Irish Refugee Council is the reference organisation for people applying for international protection in Ireland. Its information and advocacy service is free and confidential. Its Independent Law Centre represents refugees and protection applicants. It also runs a housing programme for people granted protection, an education programme, youth work for 16 to 25 year olds and a service for unaccompanied minors.

Good to know: the Irish asylum procedure changed for applications made on or after 12 June 2026. Citizens Information publishes two separate explanations, depending on whether you applied before or after that date. It also recommends getting legal advice before your personal interview with the IPO, the most important step of the application.

Doras, based in Limerick, has defended the rights of refugees and migrants across the country since 2000. It gives free support to protection applicants, refugees and migrants to access their rights, and runs a support line for victims of crime and a line for people from Ukraine.

Residence, family and citizenship

Immigrant Council of Ireland is a national, independent organisation for migrants' rights. Its information line is free and confidential (01 674 0200). Since 2006 it has been recognised as a not-for-profit Independent Law Centre: its solicitors can represent people before the administration and the courts. It also works on human trafficking and lets you report racism.

Nasc, in Cork (its name means "link" in Irish), runs a helpline and casework service specialising in immigration status, family reunification, visas, citizenship and reception conditions for protection applicants. It offers programmes for women, children and families, employment, and education pathways for refugees.

Crosscare Migrant Project, in Dublin, helps people from outside the European Union, or with a non-EU family member: immigration permission, family visas, citizenship and residency. It runs a monthly citizenship application clinic and a Chinese-language service. You get in touch by email or phone, and an appointment is then arranged (phone, video or in person). Crosscare also has an information service for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Work, exploitation and undocumented people

MRCI (Migrant Rights Centre Ireland) defends migrant workers and their families. It gives free and confidential information on immigration and work, by phone, email or video call. It supports people at risk of labour exploitation and trafficking, and runs the Justice for the Undocumented campaign for undocumented people. If your employer keeps your passport, does not pay you or threatens you, this is the organisation to contact.

Beware of scams

• A genuine organisation never promises you a residence permit. Only the ISD, the IPO and the courts decide.
• The Immigrant Council of Ireland warns that scammers are impersonating its information line and asking for payment. Its service is free, and the organisation never asks for money. Do not pay anyone claiming to speak on its behalf.
• Official steps are done on official websites: irishimmigration.ie for the ISD. Be wary of a site that imitates the portal and charges for a "service".
• Legal advice should come from a solicitor or a recognised law centre, such as those of the Irish Refugee Council and the Immigrant Council of Ireland. A "consultant" who takes money before acting and promises a result is a warning sign.

Finding your compatriots in Ireland

An organisation handles your case; your compatriots help you get through the wait. On Compatri, the Ireland page brings together cities and meetups, in Dublin and Cork, and diaspora pages lead to communities, for example Nigerians in Ireland. Join your country's community from the communities page: you will learn which office answers, where to find a room, which solicitor is genuine. Read how mutual aid between compatriots works and, if you are preparing to leave, the steps on arrival in Europe with a long-stay visa. The directory of associations also lists diaspora associations.

Living in Northern Ireland? It is part of the United Kingdom: see organisations helping migrants in the United Kingdom. Compatri gives no legal advice: for your situation, contact one of the organisations listed here or a solicitor.

Sources

• Immigration Service Delivery (Department of Justice)
• Citizens Information: moving country
• Citizens Information: applying for international protection
• 112.ie: emergency numbers 112 and 999
• Irish Refugee Council: services and support
• Immigrant Council of Ireland: information line
• Immigrant Council of Ireland: Independent Law Centre
• MRCI: Get Info
• Nasc
• Doras
• Crosscare: Refugees, Migrants & Emigrants