Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
151. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the measures being taken to address current delays in the processing of applications for family reunification for critical skills professionals working here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6185/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAcross all sectors, be it technology, healthcare, agriculture, hospitality, transport, and business, migrants enrich our culture and community and help our country to grow, succeed and provide quality public services. My Department is currently working on a national migration and integration strategy that will set out how this Government intends to meet the opportunities and demands facing our society and economy over the next decade, and this will be published later this year.
I am acutely aware that “join family” applications are very important for the people impacted and I understand that people are of course eager to have their families join them in Ireland.
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.
I 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. However, some applications can take considerably longer.
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 current processing times of applications for “join family” visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit, they can apply for “join family” visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and typically receive a first instance decision within the 10-12 week business target.
People who make a “join family” visa applications separately from the above process, and for those here on General Employment Permits, they will generally receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target.
