Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

91. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when family reunification will be considered in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43316/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it is open to any visa required national to apply for a visa for any purpose. If an applicant wishes to join a family member who is an Irish National in the State, they may make an application for a Join Family Visa.

The INIS website () contains comprehensive guidelines to assist the applicant with the application process.  The information contained on the website is for guidance purposes only and does not limit the discretion of the Visa Officer in dealing with individual applications. The onus rests at all times with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that any visa sought should be granted.

Such applications, where the sponsor is an Irish national, can normally be expected to be dealt with within 6 months of receipt of all the required documentation, as set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This is a business target which reflects the detailed assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.  It does not constitute a legal obligation and such applications may take longer due to the individual circumstances of the application, or to the number of applications within the visa category and the resources available to process them. 

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department 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 the 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).