Jackie Cahill
Ceist:1140. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Justice the average turnaround for a spouse of an Irish national application currently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1772/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 17 January 2024
Ceisteanna (1140)
Freagraí scríofa
Long Stay Join Family visa and permission applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification which may be accessed at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf
While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to seek further information, and the resources available.
I can advise the Deputy that Join Family entry visas are processed in seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. The overseas offices are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi.
The Dublin Visa Office are currently processing Join family applications, where the sponsor is an Irish citizen or holds a Critical Skills Employment Permit, received in Dublin on 21 February 2023.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
Processing times and decisions at the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions
In addition, In-country applications for immigration permission as a spouse of an Irish nationals who are in the State are processed at the first instance by their local immigration office. However Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department processes applications under this category from people who are in the State, whose immigration status has expired, who entered the state on C visit visas or who have been refused registration at their local immigration office. Further information on this is available at Spouse/Civil Partner of Irish National Scheme - Immigration Service Delivery (irishimmigration.ie).
The Department between 300 and 400 such applications per year and is currently processing applications received in March 2023. There are in excess of 180 applications pending.
The staffing levels and the resources available in the Visa Division and the Domestic Residence and Permissions Division of my Department are kept under review in line with the business needs of the relevant Divisions and across immigration processing.