Pa Daly
Question:295. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current waiting times for de facto partner visas. [27070/24]
View answerTuesday, 25 June 2024
Questions (295, 296)
Pa Daly
Question:296. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the frequently with which her Department updates a web link related to visa permissions (details supplied). [27071/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 295 and 296 together.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department provides indicative processing timeframes for certain immigration applications on the immigration website, www.irishimmigration.ie.
It is important to note that these are business targets for the immigration service. Processing times for these applications will vary depending on the type and complexity of applications, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result.
In order to be fair, to all applicants, applications are processed in chronological order by the date received in the relevant office. New decisions are published on the visa pages of each of the seven overseas visa offices and the relevant Embassy website.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following page which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
The current processing dates for De Facto Preclearance applications are listed below:
De Facto (unmarried) Partner of Irish National 16 January 2024
De Facto (unmarried) Partner of CSEP/HA 05 January 2024
I can advise the Deputy, that the date published on the above page is the oldest date of application currently being processed under a given category. However, it should be noted that the Visa team continue to process and make decisions on applications received after the published processing date. If a particular application takes longer to consider this may prevent the published processing date from advancing.
It is important to note that no two applications are the same and there can be a number of reasons as to why some take longer than others to process. It may be the case that the application is the subject of investigation or further checks. My Department may also be waiting for the applicant to respond to specific queries or submit additional documentation requested by the Visa Officer.
Therefore, I can assure the Deputy that if the published processing dates for De Facto Preclearance applications remains unchanged this does not indicate the processing of these applications has halted overall.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application to join their Partner in Ireland that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. These applications are now being processed through my Department’s online platform, this simplified application process will speed up our processing times and lead to better outcomes for applicants.
Question No. 296 answered with Question No. 295.