James Lawless
Question:332. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice the status of travel visa applications (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10543/22]
View answerThursday, 24 February 2022
Questions (332)
Written answers
Following full consideration by a Visa Officer, both visa applications referred to by the Deputy were refused. The letters issued to the applicants on 28 October 2021 and 1 November 2021 outline the reasons for the refusals.
There is an appeals process, which is free of charge, to allow applicants to address the factors which gave rise to that decision. Appeals were lodged in respect of these applications on 9 December 2021 and 23 December 2021.
Both visa applications have been re-examined by a Visa Appeals Officer in my Department. Taking all the documentation and information submitted with the original application and the appeal into consideration, these appeals have not been successful and the original decision to refuse the applications has been upheld. The reasons for the refusal of the appeals are outlined in the refusal letters of 31 January 2022 and 17 February 2022.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie. Applicants that follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
Anyone who has been refused a visa and wishes to make another application at a future point, will have their application assessed on its own merits taking all relevant information into consideration at that time. Their prior immigration history is a matter of record but does not preclude them from seeking a visa in the future.
It should also be noted that the granting of an employment permit by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, has no bearing on whether a visa will subsequently be granted. There are two very distinct application procedures with different checks and procedures in place in each Department.