Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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300. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a visa application (details supplied) urgently needed to visit a very unwell family member undergoing cancer treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27900/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that all visa 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 my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

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

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.

If the applicant believes that their situation meets the criteria listed above, they should contact the visa team through my Departments Customer Service Portal, which can be accessed at the following link: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.

The Customer Service Team will usually seek supporting documentary evidence to verify the situation e.g. a letter from a hospital/doctor or other relevant authority. Our team will work with families, or their representatives, to facilitate the application if possible.

Emergency applications will be dealt with on a case by case basis but will, wherever possible, be processed speedily and sympathetically.

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.

I can advise the Deputy that the applications referred to await examination and processing by the Visa Office in Abu Dhabi. The applicants will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.