Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
789. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if his Department could offer guidance regarding such situations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34192/26]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. The average processing time for a Type C short stay visas processed in 2025 was 37 days.
My Department’s website recommends that a visa application is submitted three months before an applicant intends to travel. An applicant may submit an application prior to this three month recommendation, however, they are advised to make sure that the supporting documentation is as up to date as possible. Applicants may use my Department's Customer Service Portal to upload updated documents after the initial application has been submitted.
The Customer Service Portal can be accessed at the following link:
https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. In the first three months of 2026, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 43,000 visa applications and has issued almost 36,000 decisions.
Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office and the Overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
