Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1118. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of outstanding visa applications with the embassy in Abu Dhabi; the number from those leaving Sudan; the average time to process applications from those leaving Sudan; if extra resources will be allocated to the embassy in Abu Dhabi to process applications in a timely manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37779/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can advise the Deputy that all applications from those ordinarily resident in Sudan but applying through a third country are processed by the Abu Dhabi Visa Office (ADVO).

It is not possible to provide all the figures to the Deputy as requested, as they are not held by my Department in the manner sought. However, I can advise the Deputy that decision times within the ADVO are typically within the timeframes published on the website i.e. Visit visa processing time – approximately 4 weeks, Study – 4-8 weeks, Employment – 4-8 weeks and Join Family – up to 24 weeks.

The tables below set out the average processing times for particular visa categories for all applications received by the ADVO and for applications received from Sudanese applicants for the period 15 April 2023 to 7 September 2023.

Table 1 – Average processing time for applications processed, at 1st instance, in the Abu Dhabi VO

Table 2 - Average processing time for applications processed, at 1^stinstance, in the Abu Dhabi VO for Sudanese nationals