John McGuinness
Ceist:374 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of various visa applications by persons (details supplied); and if the applications will be expedited. [22726/01]
Written Answers. - Visa Applications.
The position in respect of non-EEA nationals who are legally employed in the State and who wish to be joined here by family members who require visas is that the worker in question must have been in the State for a period of 12 months and have the expectation of remaining here for at least a similar period before he or she can be joined here. However, in July 2000, I reduced this requirement to three months in respect of certain categories of highly sought-after skilled workers. The applications referred to by the Deputy come within this latter category. The worker in question will fulfil the three month requirement in November and visas will be issued at that time.