Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 2

Written Answers. - US Visa Application.

Michael P. Kitt

Question:

47 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will have investigations made regarding the refusal by the United States authorities of young Irish people to the USA in view of the fact that they do not have a visa; if an age limit is to be imposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4662/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland has participated in the US Visa Waiver Pilot Programme since 1 April 1995. In practice, this means that over 90 per cent of Irish people travelling to the US for visits of up to 90 days are no longer required to have visas. There is no minimum age limit involved and as far as we know the US authorities do not intend setting one.

Certain people, including those whose visa applications were previously turned down or people who were deported from the US do not qualify for visa waivers and must apply to the US Embassy for non-immigrant visas in the normal way. I would advise anyone who has any doubts about their eligibility for a visa waiver to contact the US Embassy and seek its advice well in advance of their proposed departure date.

Under the terms of the visa waiver pilot programme, visa waiver applicants automatically waive any right to appeal an immigration officer's subsequent decision to refuse them entry to the US. We have been assured by the US Embassy, however, that in the relatively few cases where entry is refused to Irish people, this is done only after very careful consideration of the applications in question.