Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 July 2018
129. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average waiting times for visa applications with the Irish naturalisation and immigration service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29754/18]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that decisions regarding the grant or refusal of visas are made in a number of INIS Visa Offices overseas, the INIS Visa Office in Dublin, and at Embassies of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which process certain visa applications under delegated sanction from my Department.
The processing times for visa decisions are published on the Visa pages of each Visa Office and Embassy website. The table underneath sets out the current processing dates (as of 2 July, 2018) up to which applications received in the Dublin Visa Office have been processed.
|
Purpose of Visa Applications |
Current Processing Date in the Dublin Visa Office |
|
Visit |
21 May |
|
Business |
11 June |
|
Conference/Event |
11 June |
|
Join Family (under national legislation) |
07 February |
|
Join Family (EU Free Movement) |
See note below |
|
Study |
15 May |
|
Employment |
11 June |
|
Other* |
11 June |
*Includes training; exam; conference/event; performance/tournament; and sundry applications.
It should be noted that target times for visa processing are established as a business target reflecting the detailed and often complex assessment required to be carried out in relation to applications, and do not constitute a legal obligation.
The processing time in each location is determined by a number of factors such as the volumes and complexity of applications, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result.
In relation to applications under the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC), there had been an exponential increase from the second quarter of 2015 in the number of such applications. That gave rise to a caseload of around 10,500 applications which had to be assessed very carefully to ensure that any fraudulent applications or potential abuses of the Directive are detected and dealt with appropriately. Considerable progress is being made in processing these applications. However, as legal proceedings in relation to a number of similar such applications are currently before the courts, the Deputy will appreciate that I am limited in what I can say on the matter.
The central concern, as with all visa services worldwide, in deciding on visa applications 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 facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.
