Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2017
78. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the rules that apply to the granting of a visitor's permit for a person in Russia wishing to visit here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7877/17]
View answerRussian nationals are required to hold an Irish visa to travel to Ireland. As with all other visa required nationals, visa applications are considered on their own merits and in accordance with the requirements for the particular visa type applied for. I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that comprehensive guidelines and information on the documentation needed for each type of application can be found at http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Irish%20Visa%20Information.
To make an application, an on-line application form must be completed which can be accessed via the INIS website at https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie. This is then signed and submitted together with all required supporting documentation to the Visa Office in Moscow. Contact details are given on the summary sheet.
As regards the requirements considered by the Visa Officer, applicants must show that they have sufficiently strong family, social, and economic ties to a place of residence in a country other than Ireland to assure the Visa Officer that the projected stay in Ireland will be in accordance with the duration and conditions of the permission granted by the immigration authorities on arrival in Ireland. Visa applicants are required to furnish details about their finances to show that they have access to sufficient funds to cover the costs of the visit.
As with all visa services in all countries worldwide, the central concern is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while at the same time not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of those who intend travelling for legitimate purposes and who are likely to abide by the terms of their visa.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
