Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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812. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the waiting time for a person who has applied for a visa and is married to an Irish citizen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27982/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the current processing time in the Visa Office in Dublin for a visa application to join an Irish spouse is a little under five months. Applications processed in the seven Visa Offices abroad generally have a shorter processing time.

The Policy Document on Family Reunification first published in December, 2013 contains a stated business target that visa applications to join Irish citizens should be dealt with within six months of receipt of application. However, it should be noted that this is a business target and does not constitute a legal obligation. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required in applications for family reunification.

While the Visa Office endeavours to have applications of this nature processed as quickly as possible, processing times for visas may vary based on a number of factors such as the number of applications, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information or investigation is required, and the resources available. Any delay in meeting the business target in particular cases is usually associated with the need for additional documentation or where a detailed assessment of family rights under the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights is required.

The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases 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 .

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to INIS (visamail@justice.ie).