Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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1020. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on an application for an entry visa under the critical skills programme for a person (details supplied) who submitted their application on 23 November 2024; the maximum timeframe for processing an entry visa application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29666/25]

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 07 November 2024. Supporting documentation was received in the Tehran office on 24 November 2024. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 16 December 2024 where it awaits examination and processing.

It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. Applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt.

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%.

While processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. However, some applications can take considerably longer. 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.

Visa applications can only be determined when all the required information is received and considered by the Visa Office. This information is not limited to considering the documentation submitted by the applicant themselves. The Visa Office also must take steps to verify the details and/or documentation submitted in support of the application. These requirements are detailed in the privacy notice which all visa applicants agree to upon submitting their application.

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. 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.

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 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 Customer Service Portal. 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: 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.

Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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1021. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a decision will be made on an application for a spousal visa for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29667/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The application from the person referred to by the Deputy was approved on 30 May 2025.

A letter of the same date issued to the person concerned granting them temporary permission to remain in the State on Stamp 4 immigration conditions for a period of 12 months.

The person concerned should make arrangements to register their permission as soon as possible if they have not already done so. All renewals are being processed online at: .

The person concerned can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. 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: 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.