Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
116. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the hardship caused by the current limits placed on visas for persons visiting family members here (details supplied); if she will consider altering this or introducing a discretionary duration for visas in certain circumstances. [21032/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that non-EEA nationals, whether visa required or not, may visit the State for up to a maximum of 90 days including where they are visiting family members. I am also advised that the 90-day limit for a short stay visit is the norm in the European Union.
The 90-day limit is not arbitrary but is linked with the provisions in the Immigration Act 2004 which requires any persons residing in Ireland for more than 90 days to register their permission to be in the State with the relevant immigration office. In effect, such persons who are in the State for longer than 90 days are considered to be residing in Ireland as opposed to merely visiting.
A person may apply for a long-stay visa such as a "join family" visa which is appropriate when they wish to reside with a family member for longer than 90 days, for example, following the birth of a child to a family member or to care for a family member who is in poor health. Such an application would be processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in my Department's Policy Document on non-EEA Family Reunification. Each visa application is decided on its own merits taking all relevant factors into account.
