Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

300. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider making changes to the processing times for short-term stay visa applications whereby the application is for a business trip, and by a person who proposes to purchase goods or livestock from Ireland, given that a recent order and contract of livestock was cancelled due to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20671/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Applicants are advised to apply for their visa 8 weeks before their intended date of travel to the State.

The Dublin Visa Office are currently processing Short Stay Business Visas, received in the Dublin Visa Office, on the 3 April 2023. Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/

There are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.

All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

The visa process has a crucial role to play in supporting economic activity in the State through facilitation of tourism from emerging markets, promotion of Ireland as a destination for international education, facilitating those coming here for business and work, etc. As with all visa services worldwide, the central concern in deciding on visa applications is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of intending visitors.