Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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285. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address the matter of a student (details supplied) accepted for a place in a US university but who cannot access an appointment in the US Embassy to secure a student visa. [34900/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the processing of US student visas, and the provision of appointments at US Embassies, are solely a matter for the US authorities, I cannot advise on this specific case. My advice to those seeking to apply for a US student or exchange visa is to monitor the US Embassy in Dublin's website and to engage with them directly on visa appointment issues.

My officials have, however, raised the issue with the US Embassy in Dublin, encouraging them to process student visas as soon as it is feasible and safe to do so. Together with other EU countries, we have also written to US Secretary of State Blinken requesting reconsideration of the US travel restrictions currently in place. This letter specifically references the plight of those wishing to apply for student and exchange visas.

Ireland is deeply committed to supporting exchanges between our two countries at every level. These play an essential role in building transatlantic understanding and extraordinary academic links. Such exchanges are also vital to our economic relationships, and for building people-to-people connections across the Atlantic. We are particularly keen that the current travel restrictions will not negatively impact the future of the J1 and Working Holiday Agreement programmes.

My Department has a very strong and positive working relationship with the US Chargé d’affaires and her team at the US Embassy in Dublin. We will continue to maintain regular contact with the Embassy, and with the US State Department via our Embassy in Washington D.C., including with regard to travel restrictions between our two countries.