Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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257. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the delay in processing of a family spouse unification visa application in respect of a person (details supplied) will be investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5356/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that the applicant created a Visit visa application, under a different family name, on 12 May 2023. Following full consideration by a Visa Officer, this visa application was refused. A letter issued to the applicant on 26 July 2023 outlines the reasons for this refusal. No appeal of this decision was ever submitted.

The applicant subsequently created a Join Family Visa application on 29 November 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Bangkok office on 14 December 2023. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 09 January 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.

My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months and the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within this business target. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. In order to be fair to all individuals 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.

While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing, including a strong desire to meet up with family or friends in Ireland, expediting an application is usually confined to time-sensitive instances e.g. where a family member has been hospitalised, in a life-threatening situation or in the unfortunate event of a bereavement.

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

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/

The date published on the above page is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published p processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may prevent the published processing date from advancing.

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: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, 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.