Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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143. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality what action is being taken by his Department to improve on the timeline for the processing of entry visa applications, in view that they are currently taking five or six months to process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21644/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.

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. My Department's Visa Division is working to meet the increased level of demand and the number of decisions issued in 2024 increased by 18%. Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.

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.

Applicants for short stay visas can expect a decision to issue 8 weeks after all required supporting documents and payment are received. While processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies the majority of visas are processed within stated target times.

Applications for long stay visas, such as those to join family, can take longer to be completed. My Department aims to process join family visas applications within 12 months. This business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification. I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target; in 2024 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 72 calendar days.

Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged.

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. In recent months, additional resources and staff have been assigned to my Department’s Visa Division which I expect will reduce the waiting times for all applications.