Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
818. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the average processing times for short-stay "C" visas for applicants from the Russian Federation in each of the past three years and to date in 2026; the way these compare with the corresponding processing times for applicants of other nationalities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39545/26]
View answer819. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and proportion of short-stay visa applications from Russian nationals that were approved and refused in each of the past three years and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39546/26]
View answer820. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when the processing of visa applications from Russian nationals was centralised to the Dublin visa office; the reasons for this change; the impact this has had on processing times and decision outcomes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39547/26]
View answer821. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current number of pending short-stay visa applications from Russian nationals awaiting decision; the average waiting time for these applications; the measures being taken to address any backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39548/26]
View answer822. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether additional security, verification or administrative checks are applied to visa applications from Russian nationals compared to other applicants; if so, the nature of these checks and the impact on processing times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39549/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 818, 819, 820, 821 and 822 together.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.
In the context of the staffing restrictions arising at the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow (more information is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/russian-federation/, to ensure continuity of service, visa applications received by the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow are currently sent to the Dublin Visa Office for examination and processing. Every effort is being made to process applications as efficiently as possible and this is being kept under ongoing review.
Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
I can confirm that there has been no recent change to visa processing procedures, approval criteria or documentation requirements in any of my Department's Visa Offices. It should be noted that each application, regardless of nationality, is decided on its own merit. All visa applicants are advised that the responsibility is on them to provide as much information in support of their applications as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website.
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.
The tables below outline the data sought by the deputy regarding numbers of applications received, approved and refused, as well as the average processing times. There are currently 1,238 short stay C visa applications from Russian nationals on hand pending a decision.
Table 1. Number of Short-stay visa applications received, approved and refused from Russian nationals 2023-2026 (up to 31/03).
|
Year |
Received |
Granted |
Refused |
|
2023 |
3,279 |
3,014 |
103 |
|
2024 |
3,515 |
3,258 |
69 |
|
2025 |
4,469 |
3,623 |
187 |
|
2026 (up to 31/03) |
1,043 |
400 |
136 |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* A decision made in any particular year may relate to an application made in a previous year.
* All figures are calendar days and based on a 7-day week. There is no allowance made for weekends, public, bank or religious holidays in the various jurisdictions.
Table 2. Average processing time for short stay C visa applications from Russian nationals.
|
Year |
Average Processing Time |
|
2023 |
30 days |
|
2024 |
31 days |
|
2025 |
32 days |
|
2026 (up to 31/03) |
85 days |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* All figures are calendar days and based on a 7-day week. There is no allowance made for weekends, public, bank or religious holidays in the various jurisdictions.
Table 3. Average processing time for short stay C visa applications from all nationalities.
|
Year |
Average Processing Time |
|
2023 |
25 days |
|
2024 |
27 days |
|
2025 |
37 days |
|
2026 (up to 31/03) |
43 days |
* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
* All figures are calendar days and based on a 7-day week. There is no allowance made for weekends, public, bank or religious holidays in the various jurisdictions.
The current processing times for Dublin and Overseas Visa Offices are available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/.
