asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish citizens who were granted working visas in the USA, Canada and Australia in each of the years 1980 to 1985 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on whether any changes are proposed for the future in relation to working visas in any of these countries.
Written Answers. - Issue of Visas.
61.
The question of the admission of citizens to a country, and the issue of visas for that purpose, is one for the receiving country. Consequently, the material in the tables below is based on information obtained from the countries which issued the visas. It is not clear what the Deputy means to include in the term "working visas". For example, a person given "immigrant" status is normally entitled to work, but many would be dependants who do not intend to work. Other work visas are for special temporary purposes.
It would not be appropriate for me to speculate on possible future changes in the visa practices of other countries. No legislative changes of significance in relation to working visas have been introduced in any of the three countries mentioned. The question of certain changes being proposed in the US legislature in the immigration policy of the US was raised before, and I dealt with it in my replies to the House on 5 November and 5 December 1985.
Following are the tables referred to:
Australia
|
Migrant Visas |
Temporary Resident Visas |
Student Working Holiday Visas |
|
|
1981 |
753 |
544 |
— |
|
1982 |
1,165 |
95 |
746 |
|
1983 |
965 |
109 |
989 |
|
1984 |
508 |
123 |
398 |
|
1985 |
632 |
191 |
663 |
Figures are for years ending 30 June. Statistics on the issue of Australian visas are not kept on the basis of nationality, but on the basis of the country of application. "Temporary Residents" are admitted to take up residence for a short period, with permission to work in specific jobs. "Student Working Holiday" visas permit students to work for part of their permitted maximum 12 month period in Australia, on condition that they do not spend more than three months with any one employer. The figure for temporary resident visas for 1981 includes student working holiday visas.
Canada
|
Immigrant Visas |
Temporary Work and other Visas |
Work Authorisation |
|
|
1980 |
679 |
619 |
— |
|
1981 |
810 |
773 |
— |
|
1982 |
630 |
789 |
— |
|
1983 |
299 |
879 |
275 |
|
1984 |
291 |
891 |
334 |
|
1985 |
198 |
738 |
383 |
Figures for Canada are for years ending 30 September. The figures for work authorisations are included in the figures for temporary work and other visas.
United States
|
Immigrant Visas |
Student Temporary Work Visas |
E |
H |
L |
|
|
1980 |
579 |
900 |
103 |
628 |
270 |
|
1981 |
434 |
1,077 |
115 |
507 |
265 |
|
1982 |
522 |
1,184 |
87 |
544 |
275 |
|
1983 |
491 |
1,326 |
85 |
622 |
280 |
|
1984 |
555 |
1,707 |
95 |
679 |
265 |
|
1985 |
690 |
2,900 |
117 |
778 |
314 |
The figures for the US are for years ending 30 September. E, H and L visas are for temporary periods, as follows:
E—aliens who engage in trade between the US and their own country, and their dependants;
H—people with special skills in short supply, trainees, etc. and their dependants;
L—intercompany transferees.