I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and I want to assure anyone who has submitted an application for naturalisation that my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible. Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve the process for applicants. These include introducing an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while I expect that going forward, most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
