Written answers
Tuesday, 28 July 2026
Department of Justice and Equality
Visa Applications
Conor Sheehan (Limerick City, Labour)
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2134. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of visa applications (details supplied); the steps his Department is taking to expedite these specific cases to ensure students arrive ahead of the September semester; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54846/26]
Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that based on the information supplied, it has unfortunately not been possible to locate the applications for the people referred to.
As an Oireachtas member, you can 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.
If the Deputy can supply the below information to the Oireachtas Mail facility my officials will be happy to re-examine this request.
• First / given name of each applicant
• Family / surname of each applicant
• Date of birth of each applicant
• Application number for each application.
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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2135. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of the family reunification-spouse visa application by a person (details supplied) submitted on 28 October 2025; and when a decision is expected. [54894/26]
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
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2136. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current status of the family reunification/spouse visa application by a person (details supplied) submitted on 28 October 2025; and when a decision is expected. [54895/26]
Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2135 and 2136 together.
I can advise the Deputy that the Join Family visa applications referred to were created on 1 October 2025. Supporting documentation was received in the Dublin Visa Office on 29 October 2025 where they await examination and processing.
My Departments business target for join family visa applications is 12 months. It must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service and some applications can take longer than others. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
While I acknowledge the personal difficulties an applicant might be experiencing; it is not possible to give a definitive date as to when these applications will be finalised. All 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 the Immigration Service Delivery function of my Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.
The current processing times for Dublin visa decisions is available here:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
The date published on the website 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 result in the published processing date remaining unchanged. I can assure you that this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
I am acutely aware that join family applications are very important for the people impacted. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland, and I am committed to improving the service my Department provides.
The people concerned can now directly check the status of their visa applications on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing accounts, at: www.portal.irishimmigration.ie/
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.
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