Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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640. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No.1082 of 3 November 2020, the length of time a D join family application will take once the D join family long-stay visa has been applied for; and if the person is free to return here. [35245/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Policy Document for Non-EEA Family Reunification contains a timeframe target which states that visa applications to join non-EEA national family members should be dealt with within twelve months of receipt of application. However, it should be noted that this is a business target which reflects the detailed assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to such applications. It does not constitute a legal obligation and applications may take longer due to the individual circumstances or complexity involved.

The website of the Immigration Service of my Department (www.inis.gov.ie) contains comprehensive guidelines to assist applicants with the application process for different visa types. The information is intended to provide guidance 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.

Visa required nationals cannot gain access to the State without holding a valid visa. Therefore, they will have to go through the application process successfully before they can enter the country.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 cases 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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to the Immigration Service of my Department at: visamail@justice.ie. They can also monitor the current processing times, which are published each Tuesday, on the website at: www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Visa%20Decisions.