Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 156: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform in the context of refusing international student visa applications, which occupations are not considered relevant to learning the English language; the previous educational or employment backgrounds which are deemed to be at odds with studying English as an international student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47512/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can advise the Deputy that, in considering a visa application, the purpose of which is to study English, a visa officer would not generally consider the occupation of an applicant in isolation as a reason to refuse the granting of the visa sought. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits, the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why the visa should be granted. I would refer the Deputy to the comprehensive explanation of the decision making process set out in my reply to his Question 41988/10 of 10 November, 2010.

If the Deputy has a specific case in mind and he supplies full details, I will arrange for officials of my Department to examine the matter and revert to the Deputy with a more specific response.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 157: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if a visa may be refused on the grounds that documentation supplied is out of date if the delay incurred is as a result of processing an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47513/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In assessing a visa application a Visa Officer takes into consideration a number of factors before arriving at a decision. Each case is essentially considered on its individual merits, the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that the visa should be granted. It is possible that a visa may be refused where documentation supplied is out of date: however, this would be a relatively rare event and it is likely that other factors would also be in play in any such refusal.

It should be borne in mind that delays incurred in processing a visa often result from the applicant not having submitted all the required documentation in the first instance. A Visa Officer may, at their discretion and based on the particular circumstances of the case at hand, provide an applicant with the opportunity to submit further documents.

I would refer the Deputy to the comprehensive explanation of the decision making process set out in my reply to his Question 41988/10 of 10 November, 2010. If the Deputy has a specific case in mind and he supplies full details, I will arrange for officials of my Department to examine the matter and revert to the Deputy with a more specific response.