Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Justice and Equality

Visa Applications

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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968. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a family reunification visa applications of two persons (details supplied). [46672/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to were created on 04 June 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Abuja Visa Office on 11 June 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.

It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. 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.

All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Immigration Service website. Applicants that carefully follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.

I can advise the Deputy that in 2023, over 166,000 visa applications were submitted. In 2024, approximately 201, 000 visa applications were received by the Visa Division. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received.

The vast majority of visa applications are determined in a matter of weeks. However, some applications, in particular those to join family members here, can take considerably longer.

I understand extended wait times can be frustrating. I want to assure anyone who is waiting on a decision that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. I am acutely aware join family applications, are very important for the persons impacted and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides. Recently, I have assigned additional resources and staff to my Department’s visa division which will I expect will reduce the waiting times for family applications in the coming months.

The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.

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

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre . They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:

portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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969. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a visa application for a person (details supplied). [46673/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The visa application referred to by the Deputy was refused by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi on 13 February 2024. The reasons for this decision were set out in the refusal letter sent to the applicants at that time. An appeal of this decision was launched on 02 April 2024.

Appeals for applications of this type are processed in the order in which they are received, to be fair to all applicants. While every effort is made to process these applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume of appeals received, their complexity, the possible need for the visa office to seek further information in relation to certain appeals and the resources available to process them.

All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Immigration Service website. When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh.

Full consideration will be given to any appeals received on behalf of the applicants, however the onus is on applicants to satisfy the Visa Officer that visas should be granted.

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

I can advise the Deputy that in 2023, over 166,000 visa applications were submitted. In 2024, approximately 201, 000 visa applications were received by the Visa Division. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received.

The vast majority of visa applications are determined in a matter of weeks. However, some applications, in particular those to join family members here, can take considerably longer.

I understand extended wait times can be frustrating. I want to assure anyone who is waiting on a decision that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. I am acutely aware join family applications, are very important for the persons impacted and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides. Recently, I have assigned additional resources and staff to my Department’s visa division which will I expect will reduce the waiting times for family applications in the coming months.

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:

portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/

As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

970. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of family reunification visa applications for persons (details supplied). [46674/24]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I am happy to inform the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer the Visas referred to were issued on 16 January 2025.

Entry into the State is solely at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. The onus is on the individuals to have all documentation relating to their reasons for entering Ireland for presentation to the Immigration Officer to gain entry. The Immigration Officer may grant leave to enter to a maximum period of three months. They may, depending on the documentation presented refuse entry to the state or grant a lesser period than three months.

Any non EU/EEA nationals who wish to remain for longer than 90 days must register with their local immigration office and apply for further permission to remain before their initial permission to remain expires. Full details of the Registration process can be found at the link below:

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s new Digital Contact Centre (DCC). They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:

As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.

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