Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to significant delays being reported by students who have applied for a J1 student visa through a private company (details supplied); if there is any role his Department can take to assist students in resolving the situation [25405/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The J1 visa programme is a valuable part of facilitating mutually beneficial and enriching exchange between the US and Ireland, and we are keen to see participation in this programme return to pre-pandemic levels. Through the J1, thousands of young people are afforded the chance to work and travel in the US every year, forging connections and establishing valuable links between the two countries. Ease of travel is essential to protect our strong transatlantic connections, be that in business, academia, tourism or maintaining family connections.

US immigration regulation and visa operations are a matter solely for the US authorities, and my Department has no remit over the operations of the US Embassy Visa Service. Officials from my Department are in regular communication with the US Embassy, who are working to reduce waiting times. In recent days, officials from my Department have discussed the matter with the US Embassy and it is my understanding that extra resources have recently been dedicated to the processing of J1 visa applications. This development is expected to result in a significant increase in the number being processed in the coming days and weeks.