Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2022
420. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the reason that English language long-stay study visas are taking six months to process in the Irish visa office, Ankara; the steps that she is taking to address this long processing period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31731/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDecisions regarding the granting or refusal of study visas are made in a number of Visa Offices overseas, in my Department's Visa Office in Dublin, and at certain Embassies of the Department of Foreign Affairs, which process certain visa applications under delegated sanction from my Department.Applications from Turkish residents are normally processed by the Visa Office in Ankara. Visa processing times for the Ankara Visa Office are published online by the Department of Foreign Affairs at www.dfa.ie/irish-embassy/turkey/visas/visas-for-ireland-weekly-decisions-report/The 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.The processing time at each Visa Office and location worldwide is determined by a number of factors, such as: the volume and complexity of applications, whether investigation is required or not, individual circumstances, peak application periods, seasonal factors, and the resources available. While every effort is made to process applications as quickly as possible, processing times inevitably vary as a result. Every effort is made to keep visa processing times to a minimum, and a number of measures have been put in place to deal with the increased demand for visas to come to Ireland, including in the Ankara Visa Office. This includes the assignment of additional staff to deal with applications, and more generally the streamlining of visa processes where possible. The position in this regard is being kept under review. 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.
