Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 7 September 2026
2154. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of short-stay visa applications submitted through the Moscow Visa Office that are currently being processed by the Dublin Visa Office; the number of decisions on these visa applications that have issued in 2026 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59960/26]
View answer2155. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 2000 of 28 July 2026, the current average processing time for Moscow-origin short-stay visa applications; the reason it is significantly higher than the 37-day average cited in the response; the specific steps planned to address this backlog; the expected timeframe for clearing it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59962/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2154 and 2155 together.
I can advise the Deputy that there are currently seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated sanction from my Department. I can confirm that the 37-day average processing time was for all Type C short stay visas, submitted by all nationalities, processed in Visa Offices and Irish Embassies globally.
The tables below outline the figures requested by the Deputy.
Table 1. Type C short stay visit visa applications from Russian nationals processed in the Moscow Visa Office and the Dublin Visa Office.
|
ISD / Moscow Visa Office |
Visit Applications Received |
Visit Applications Granted |
Visit Applications Refused |
Average Processing Time |
|
2025 |
2,212 |
1,628 |
9 |
42 days |
|
2026* 01/01/26 - 31/07/2026 |
839 |
103 |
301 |
246 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.
* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.
All visa applications which are submitted to the Moscow Visa Office are now sent to the Dublin Visa Office for processing. This change took place in late 2025.
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.
