Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1365. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Justice the reason a large percentage of Turkish students applying for visas to study English in Ireland are having their applications refused; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30751/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ankara Visa Office has seen a more than 50% increase in visa applications received in the year to date to the end of May 2022 in comparison with the same period in 2019 (before Covid-19 related travel restrictions). Long stay study visas account for more than 60% of those being received in 2022. In addition to this increase in applications, the Ankara Visa Office has received an extremely high number of incomplete applications, which is also adding to the longer processing times, given the resources that have to go into examining these applications.
It should be noted that a large number of study applications are being withdrawn and returned to the applicants as they are incomplete and contain little or no supporting documentation. These applications are being withdrawn, instead of being refused, in order to be fair to the applicants and to give them an opportunity to resubmit their applications with all the necessary documentation.
It is also important to note that the office in Ankara is not refusing a large percentage of English Language study applications: in fact the refusal rate for applications in 2022 to the end of May is just under 5%. This compares favourably with a refusal rate in the full year of 2021 of 2% and in 2020 of 10%.
The central concern in deciding on visa applications, as with all visa services worldwide, is to strike an appropriate balance between protecting the country's vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime while at the same time facilitating travel for those who meet the criteria. Each visa application is therefore decided on its own merits taking all factors into account.
