Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 December 2023
126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice when the visa applications for the family of a person (details supplied) are expected to be finalised; if all efforts will be made to process this visa as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54053/23]
View answerThe persons referred to by the Deputy created on-line Join Family visa applications on 13 August 2023. The supporting documentation and relevant fees were applied on 16 August 2023 in the Hanoi visa office. These visa applications were received in our Dublin Visa Office on 28 August 2023. These applications are currently awaiting comprehensive examination.
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. A 12 month target will apply for applications to join Category B sponsors, such as Non Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders or Stamp 4 holders not covered by other more favourable arrangements. 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.
It is noted from the details supplied by the Deputy that one of the applicants has received an offer from a 3rd level institution in the State. If this is an offer of employment and the person referred to has an Employment Permit issued by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) they should withdraw their current Join Family application and apply for a Type D Employment Visa, which are processed in an expedited manner.
If the offer is in the form of a hosting agreement they do not require an Employment Permit. In this case they should withdraw their current Join Family application, apply for a Type D Employment/Scientific Researcher, and provide a contract of employment and a copy of the hosting agreement from the 3rd level institution to the visa office.
In both cases, they should also flag the Join Family applications for the other members of the family with the visa office so that they may be processed simultaneously.
The applicant is advised to make direct contact with the visa office if they require further information, quoting the relevant visa application number, and supplying all details of their offer. The visa office can be contacted at:
travelrequest@justice.ie
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 (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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
