Vol. 574 No. 1
455 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the categories of visas available for entry into the State; the cir cumstances in which they will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26225/03]
There are two basic categories of visas available – a "C" visa, for persons whose stated purpose of visit is for any period of less than 90 days and a "D" visa for persons whose stated purpose of visit requires a stay in excess of 90 days. The purposes for which visas may be sought are quite broad and include, for example, visas for the purposes of a visit, holiday, business, study, employment and medical treatment.
The granting of an Irish visa is, in effect, only a form of pre-entry clearance. It does not grant permission to enter the State. Visa holders are subject to the normal immigration controls at the port of entry and may be granted or refused entry to the State by the immigration officers in accordance with the provisions of the Aliens Act 1935 and the Aliens Order 1946, as amended.
Visa applications are assessed by a visa officer having regard to the criteria set out in the above legislation, and will address, inter alia, the following concerns: is the applicant's stated purpose of visit their true purpose of visit? Is the applicant in a position to fully support himself or herself while in the State? Is the applicant in possession of a valid passport or other such document? Might the applicant breach the conditions of the visa by, for example, working without a work permit, or overstaying the length of time applied for? Might the applicant breach the common travel area by travelling from the State to the UK or Northern Ireland without an appropriate entry visa?
In assessing these issues the visa officer will have regard to the information provided in the application and to such factors as the applicant's ties and general circumstances in their country of origin, their immigration history as well as the surrounding circumstances. The Department's approach in these matters is informed by past experience, including experience of abuse of the system.
