Visa Applications

Thursday, 25 April 2024

Questions (242)

Bríd Smith

Question:

242. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans to employ more staff or take additional steps to deal with the significant backlog of applications for visas, renewals and extensions that are taking a long time to process (details supplied); the steps her Department will take to reduce the unacceptable waiting times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18477/24]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

My Department endeavours to process applications as quickly as possible. However, processing times may vary due to a number of factors, such as the number of applications on hand, individual circumstances, the complexity of applications, whether further information is required, and the resources available.

The immigration services of my Department utilises the resources available in order to ensure that applications are processed in the shortest timeframe possible. I can assure the Deputy that the Division are working hard to finalise applications as quickly as possible and appreciate customers’ patience as they deal with their applications.

The immigration service is currently undergoing a modernisation programme to improve the delivery of immigration services for customers, employees and stakeholders. One of my strategic priorities as Minister is to deliver a fair and balanced immigration system which is fit for the digital age.

To this end, the Immigration Service is introducing new technology which will improve how we interact with our customers. In conjunction with this, online digital forms will replace all paper based applications and more application types are in the process of being digitised with a targeted rollout within 2024.

Visa applications are processed by Department of Justice officials in the Dublin Visa office as well as the 7 overseas Visa offices. Our colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs also process visas for a number of locations and visa categories under delegated sanction. Processing times will vary by office as well as by category of visa applied for. The table below outlines the published processing times by category and office in the Department of Justice locations. I can assure the deputy in the vast majority of cases a decision will issue within published processing times. The Dublin team are processing applications for short term business visas received week beginning 1st April 2024, approx. a three week lead time, while longer term employment visas applications are being processed from the week beginning 25 March 2024, approx. a four week lead time.

	Visit	Business Conference	Study	Employment	Join Family
Abu Dhabi	4 weeks	4 weeks	4/8 Weeks	4/8 weeks	24 weeks
Abuja	4-6 weeks	4-6 weeks	4-6 weeks	4-6 weeks	N/a
Ankara	4-6 weeks	4-6 weeks	4/6 weeks	4 weeks	12 months
Beijing	6 weeks	4 weeks	6 weeks	4 weeks	12 months
Dublin	12 weeks	5 weeks	4 weeks	4 weeks	12 months
London	5 weeks	3 weeks	3 weeks	3 weeks	4-6 months
Moscow	N/a	N/a	N/a	N/a	N/a
New Delhi	5 weeks	3 weeks	5 weeks	4-6 weeks	8 months

The Atypical working scheme which also falls under the remit of the Department of Justice and caters for typically, highly skilled employment of a short term nature (usually less than 90 days) currently has no backlogs and decisions are typically issuing within one working week of receipt of a complete application.

My Department's Registration Office in Burgh Quay is responsible for registering immigration permissions for customers residing in the Dublin area and since 8 April this year for first time registrations and immigration residence renewals for Meath, Kildare and Wicklow. Appointment times for first time registration applicants for these counties are readily available; there is an average wait time of 14 to 18 days.

An Garda Síochána has oversight of the first registration and renewal of immigration residence permissions for non-EU/EEA nationals residing outside of these area. I have no role in regard to the scheduling of these appointments.