Written answers

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Visa Applications

4:00 pm

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 171: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will re-examine the reply to Question No. 519 of 24 January 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8885/12]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The guidance provided in Parliamentary Question No. 519 was appropriate to the circumstances of the particular visa application referred to by the Deputy. It was not specific to an application coming within the scope of EU Treaty Rights. The Deputy will recall that the guidance was provided in respect of the concern surrounding the relationship history of the Applicant and her spouse. The Visa Officer was of the opinion that evidence in support of the relationship history was insufficient. This opinion was shared by the Visa Appeals Officer who upheld the refusal. Such guidance could be applicable to all visa applications where the relationship history is at issue.

It should be borne in mind that the onus rests with the Applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why the visa sought should be granted. As every visa applicant and their family circumstances are unique, it is impossible to be completely prescriptive about the type of supporting information that should be supplied. In circumstances where the applicant feels that the general guidance given is not practical, then the onus rests with the applicant to provide some form of tangible evidence that can be given reasonable consideration. It is important to note that, in the absence of adequate supporting information, the visa officer will not make assumptions about the applicant's individual circumstances.

Each visa application is entitled to one appeal only. It is however open to the applicant to submit a fresh visa application at any time. Guidance on the visa application process is available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service,www.inis.gov.ie.

Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.