Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
717. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the reason that the re-entry visa programme for minors under the age of 16 years currently residing in Ireland has been suspended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37020/22]
View answerNon-EEA nationals residing long term in the State must register once they reach 16 years of age. Prior to this, they are classified as a dependent on their parent's permission. A re-entry visa was therefore required for children under 16 if travelling on a passport issued by a visa required country.
The re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 have been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice. Processing of these applications requires customers to submit their passports. There is an extremely high demand from customers wishing to travel during the summer months. Suspending the re-entry visa requirements for children under 16 allowed my Department to minimise or avoid potential disruption to customers and their summer travel plans should any delays in processing occur.
Children under 16 who are currently residing in the State and who wish to re-enter the State, must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who holds an in date immigration permission to reside in the State. The adult accompanying the child must also provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the legal parent or guardian of the child in question.
People travelling may rely on the published notice on my Department's immigration website at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/suspension-of-re-entry-visa-requirements-for-children-under-the-age-of-16-years/.
