Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Long Stay Join Family visa and permission applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification which may be accessed at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf

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 seek further information, and the resources available.

I can advise the Deputy that Join Family entry visas are processed in seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. The overseas offices are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi.

Applications where the sponsor is an Irish citizen are classified as the same category as applications where the sponsor holds a Critical Skills Employment Permit. The Dublin Visa Office are currently processing Join family applications, where the sponsor is an Irish citizen or holds a Critical Skills Employment Permit, received in Dublin on 13 April 2023.

Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:

www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/

Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link:

www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions

The staffing levels and the resources available in the Visa Division and the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department are kept under review in line with the business needs of the relevant Divisions and across immigration processing.