Ireland Introduces Residency Scheme for Ukrainian Refugees

Ireland's Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration announced the Temporary Protection Transition Scheme on 26 May 2026, aimed at individuals displaced from Ukraine currently residing in Ireland under temporary protection. This scheme provides a structured pathway to permanent residency and eventual citizenship.

Successful applicants will receive a Stamp 4 immigration permission, initially valid for up to two years and renewable in two-year intervals. Importantly, the time spent on this permission counts towards naturalisation, enabling applicants to formalize their journey to Irish citizenship.

Each family member must submit a separate application, and it is not permissible to hold the new Stamp 4 permission alongside existing temporary protection or any other immigration permission. The government assured that approved applicants will retain their residency rights even after the expiration of the EU's Temporary Protection Directive, which remains in effect until March 2028, ensuring continued access to social welfare and employment.