International Protection Act 2026

PART 3

Application for International Protection

Chapter 1

Making, registration and lodgement of application

Application for international protection

36. (1) Subject to sections 37 and 38 , a third-country national or stateless person, including an unaccompanied minor, who is at the frontier of the State or who is in the State (whether lawfully or unlawfully) may make an application for international protection.

(2) An application under this section shall be considered to have been made where a person referred to in subsection (1) expresses his or her wish to receive international protection in person to—

(a) an officer of the Minister,

(b) a member of An Garda Síochána,

(c) an immigration officer, or

(d) a governor of a prison.

(3) Where an application is made to a person referred to in paragraph (b) or (d) of subsection (2), that person shall inform the Minister of the making of the application as soon as practicable and at the latest within 3 working days from when the application is made.