Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
602. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the restrictions on accepting new visa applications will be lifted in order to allow a person (details supplied) to travel here to visit a sick relative. [17300/20]
View answerThe Immigration Service of my Department started a limited resumption of visa services from 22 June 2020. During this initial resumption phase, it has only been accepting Long Stay “D” visa applications, including Study, as well as those identified under the Immigration Service's current criteria as Emergency/Priority visas.
While we are again accepting long stay visa applications for processing, the actual issuance of visas not within the Emergency/Priority categories remains dependent on Public Health advice, and has not yet begun. It remains the position that we are not accepting any short stay visa applications, except for cases that fall under the Emergency/Priority criteria. A detailed list of what categories of short stay visa fall under the Emergency/Priority category can be found on the following web page:
http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/updates-announcements
There are still restrictions in place in many countries, so in locations where it wasn’t possible to resume processing visa applications from 22 June 2020, the Immigration Service intend to resume accepting visa applications as soon as is possible. Any resumption of services is subject to current health and safety advice in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. The extent of the resumption of visa services will continue to be decided in accordance with World Health Organisation (WHO) and Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines.
For up to date information on a specific application location, those seeking to apply for an Irish visa should continue to monitor the website of their local Irish Embassy, Mission or Visa Office. The link for the Embassy below provides updates specific to the location that is relevant to the place of application of the person referred to in your query.
https://www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/jordan
I would advise any applicant for a visa to monitor the Department's immigration website where a Frequently Asked Questions document on the impact of COVID-19 on immigration and international protection is available - (www.inis.gov.ie). This document is regularly updated. Additionally any person intending to travel should also take note of the General COVID-19 Travel Advisory issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
