Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 May 2012
238 Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a person from the Philippines who marries an Irish citizen in the Philippines, and who now wishes to return here with their spouse to live and work permanently here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22420/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the first instance I should mention that nationals of the Philippines are required to be in possession of a visa prior to seeking entry to the State. It is open to any visa required national to submit a visa application for any purpose. Each visa application will be considered on its individual merits, the onus resting with the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer as to why the visa sought should be granted. Any further information/supporting evidence that it is wished to have taken into consideration should be included where a visa application is submitted. It should be borne in mind however, that the provision of the suggested evidence in no way guarantees that a visa will be granted. Furthermore, it does not limit the discretion of the visa officer in dealing with individual applications. Guidance information as to the visa application process (including a link to the on-line application form) can be found on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website — (www.inis.gov.ie). It should be borne in mind however that the information contained on the website is intended to act as a guideline only.
Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
