The IPO manages applications under the International Protection Act 2015
The International Protection Office (IPO) is an office within the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) responsible for processing applications for international protection under the International Protection Act 2015. It also considers, as part of a single procedure process, whether applicants should be given permission to remain. The IPO comprises, inter alia, a chief international protection officer and international protection officers who are independent in the performance of their international protection functions.
What is Freedom of Information?
The Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2014 was enacted on 14 October, 2014. It establishes a legal right for each person to:
- access information held by public bodies,
- have official information relating to himself/herself amended where it is incomplete, incorrect or misleading,
- obtain an explanation for the reasons for decisions affecting them.
The 2014 Act asserts the right of members of the public to obtain access to official information to the greatest extent possible, consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy of individuals.
In the IPO we protect your personal information
In the main, the IPO holds a lot of personal information in relation to applicants who use the services of this Office, access to which is already provided to the applicants concerned in the context of the determination process. Much of the documentation we hold will have already been provided to us by applicants and/or their legal representatives. Access by third parties to such information is strictly protected by both the FOI Act 2014 and by data protection legislation. We also have an obligation to respect the confidentiality of the process under section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015.
Making a Request for Information
If you wish to make a request for information under FOI, please follow the link below:
Information we hold
The function of the IPO is to investigate applications for international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) and related permission to remain matters as part of a single application procedure. We also deal with applications to make a subsequent application for international protection.
IPO holds personal records relating to our customers applications.
