Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

638. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current processing time for join family visa applications submitted via the Abu Dhabi office; if updated processing timeframes are provided to those who have surpassed the initial indicated timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65412/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 and Trade processes certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department.

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. These increases have continued, in the first nine months of 2025, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 166,000 visa applications and has issued over 153,000 decisions. This reflects an increase in applications of 5.5% compared to the same period in 2024. My officials are working to meet the increased level of demand, and over 8,200 additional visa decisions have issued in the first nine months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024.

My Department aims to process join family visa applications within 12 months. While processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices I can assure the Deputy the majority of join family visas receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target.

In 2025 (up to 31 October), the Abu Dhabi Visa Office received a total of 771 visa applications across the various Join Family categories, and issued a total of 605 first instance decisions.

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.

Processing times for 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 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. Staffing levels are kept under ongoing review having regard to demands placed on my Department’s Immigration Service Delivery function generally.

The table below shows the current target processing times for complete visa applications submitted to the Abu Dhabi Visa Office.

Processing times and decisions at the Abu Dhabi Visa Office can be checked at the following link: www.ireland.ie/en/uae/abudhabi/services/visas/weekly-decision-reports/#visa-processing-times

Given the volume of visa applications received it is not practicable to contact applicants to provide status updates on individual applications but applicants can now directly check the status of their application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/