Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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214. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current processing times for visa applications; if he is satisfied with these timelines; if he is not, the actions he is taking to reduce processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8295/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the Deputy that 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.

There are several different legal pathways available to individuals who wish to travel to Ireland. Processing times vary depending on the type of application made and it is also the case that processing times for visa applications may vary across the different visa decision making centres globally. The processing times are largely in line with the expected processing times published across the Immigration Service Delivery website.

Processing times and decisions at the Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions

This webpage is updated weekly for the Dublin Visa Office. Please note, the processing 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 processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may prevent the published processing date from advancing.

In 2024, approximately 201,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 21%, compared to 2023, with over 35,000 additional applications received.

I am acutely aware that visa applications, are very important for the persons impacted and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides. In recent months, additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division which I expect reduce the waiting times in the coming months.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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215. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the outcome for a visa application for the spouse of a person (details supplied) can be expected. [8296/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on 12 December 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Bangkok office on 23 December 2024. This application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 17 January 2025 where it awaits examination and processing.

My Department's business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. 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 these applications 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 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.