Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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1290. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current processing times for visa appeal decisions specifically related to Long Stay (D) Join Family applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58714/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that visa appeals are processed in the 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.

I can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices the majority of visa appeals are processed within stated target times. However, some appeals can take considerably longer. Processing times for all appeals 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 appeal lodged.

I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who is appealing a visa decision that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.

The appeals process allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision. All visa applicants are advised that the responsibility is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on my Department's website. People that carefully follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision.

When making an appeal, applicants should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in their refusal letters. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered. People will find further details on the appeals process at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/appeal-a-negative-decision/

In 2024, approximately 6,585 visa appeals, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 5%, compared to 2023, with over 314 additional appeals received.

In the first eight months of 2025, my Department’s Visa Division issued 3,981 decisions on appeals, this reflects an increase of 25% compared to the same period in 2024.

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 tables below detail information regarding processing times for join family visa appeals by the Dublin Visa Office and the overseas Visa Offices. Please note that processing times for join family appeals considered by the Moscow, Abuja and Abu Dhabi office are not available at this time.

Table 1. Join Family Appeals Dublin Visa Office

Table 2. Target join family processing times for visa appeals in the Overseas Visa Offices

The date published on the website of the Dublin Visa Office is the oldest date of appeal currently being processed. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on appeals received after the published processing date. If a particular appeal takes longer to consider this may result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these appeals has halted overall.

My Department is committed to providing the best possible service to applicants. To provide greater clarity, officials in my Department are currently in the process of updating the Immigration Service website for processing times for decisions on visa appeals by the Dublin Visa Office.