Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 682: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, on foot of advice from the visa section of his Department, a person (details supplied) in County Wexford applied in writing to the immigration and citizenship division for a change of visa from category C to category D; if he has received a letter stating that a person on a C visit visa cannot have her permission to remain here extended but must leave and re-apply from outside should she wish to return; if the requirement to leave the country can be waived in view of the fact that this person is married to a person who has been here for four years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14841/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Holders of C visas who wish to extend their stay are advised by the visa section of my Department that they must leave the State and reapply for a new appropriate visa. The person concerned was granted a C visit visa to enter the State for a period of three months. It now appears that she is seeking an extension of her permission to remain in the State. An examination of the papers in respect of the case indicates that the person concerned sought an extension of her C visit visa with the immigration division of my Department and was refused. Notification of this decision issued on the 31 March 2006.

A wrap-around information sheet accompanies every visa application form. That sheet makes it clear to the applicant that, in general, persons granted visas for particular purposes are not permitted to remain in the State for any purpose other than that for which the visa was granted. Every visa applicant is required to state on the application form the dates on which he or she proposes to enter and leave Ireland. He or she is also required to declare that the information supplied is correct and complete. A C visa is granted for visits of less than 90 days. As a consequence, it is not the general policy to extend permission to remain to persons who are admitted initially for a period of 90 days or less on a C visa, save in very exceptional and unforeseen circumstances. The person concerned must leave and reapply from outside the State should she wish to return. She should include in her new visa application the purpose and duration of her intended stay.