Over the past months life has changed irrevocably for Afghans living in Afghanistan. As the Taliban take control over Afghanistan, women, activists, journalists as well as ordinary citizens are attempting to flee the country in unprecedented numbers. The images of Kabul airport as thousands of people wait for an opportunity to leave the country are devastating.
This has taken a huge toll on Afghans and Afghan-Irish families living in Ireland who are incredibly worried about the safety of their families left behind. We’re getting lots of phone calls from people who want to bring their families to safety in Ireland.
Here are some of the most common questions we’ve been answering:
Q: Is there a special scheme for Afghans living in Ireland to apply for a visa for their family members?
A: Yes, a special Afghan Admission Programme opened on the 16th December 2021. You can find the details here.
Q: The Irish government announced that it would issue 400 visas to Afghans to come to Ireland. Can my family apply for one of these visas?
A: No, these are visas that have already been issued to aid workers, NGO workers and Afghans working with the EU. Everyone who has been allocated a visa under this list has already been informed. There is no way to apply for one of these visas.
Q: I want to help, what can I do?
A: Some practical things Irish communities can do is support community groups who are sponsoring Afghan refugees to come to Ireland. If you think you, your friends, your village or your town would be able to find a home for an Afghan family and provide supports the family after arrival, we would love to hear from you. You can read more about our Community Sponsorship programme here or you can contact our community sponsorship team at communitysponsorship@nascireland.org.
