Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
322. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland does not have a reciprocal agreement with the United States of America in respect of F1 student visas which results in significant costs to Irish students travelling under this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56058/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, the United States introduced a new law obliging the US State Department to apply reciprocal treatment between US and foreign citizens when it comes to costs of visas and permissions. The State Department subsequently conducted a review for Ireland, initially identifying seven visa categories for which they proposed an increase to bring them in line with their interpretation of equivalent Irish visas/permissions. As a result of significant cross Departmental engagement with the US, they agreed to drop six of the seven categories of visas that were initially identified for a fee increase.
The remaining proposal was to significantly raise the F1 student visa fee as the reciprocal calculation was based on the fact that US students in Ireland are required to pay a €300 registration fee every year, in addition to the initial visa fee. In regard to the F1 student visa, after extensive discussions, a more limited increase to F1 student fees came into effect, based on a tiered system, with charges of €148 for a one year visa, €997 for a four year visa, and €1,280 for a five year student visa.
Decisions in regard to charges for US visa and permission fees are a matter for the US authorities and, while these increases are regrettable, they are significantly lower in most instances than what was originally proposed, as a result of negotiations between the US and Ireland. The Department of Foreign Affairs continues to work in close cooperation with the United States, and their Embassy, to support and promote educational exchange across the Atlantic.
