Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
384. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 213 of 26 October 2023, if he will provide clarity on the misinformation provided to the applicant and their spouse, specifically regarding the reason they were told to have flights booked; if he has reviewed the documents which have outlined all the applicant and their spouse's concerns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50992/23]
View answerThe detailed guidance for visa applicants, provided by my Department, sets out that all visa applicants are advised not to pay for a travel ticket before they receive a decision on their visa, as there is no guarantee that any individual application will be successful. This is information is outlined on my Department's website www.irishimmigration.ie.
I am advised by the visa office of my Department, that they have contacted colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs, who also process visas under delegated sanction, to advise them of the issues you have raised with regard to the specific case referred to.
Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf
This Policy Document contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within 6 months of application.
However, it must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
