Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
491. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current average processing time for join-family visa applications sponsored by general employment permit holders; the steps being taken by ISD to expedite applications involving minor children separated from a parent working in the Irish care sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52696/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAcross all sectors of our economy, migrants make an important contribution to Irish society, our communities and public services. My Department is currently developing a National Migration and Integration Strategy to help ensure that Ireland is well placed to meet the opportunities and challenges of migration over the coming decade.
I fully recognise that join family visa applications are very important for the people involved. I understand that people are eager to have their families join them in Ireland.
My Department operates seven overseas Visa Offices, as well as the Visa Office in Dublin. In addition, certain visa applications are processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.
While processing times can vary between visa offices, most visa applications receive a decision within our published target times. Some applications can take longer, depending on the circumstances.
Processing times are influenced by a number of factors, including the complexity of the application, the volume of applications received, and the quality and completeness of the information provided.
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.
The business target for Join Family visas is 12 months. In 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days.
Processing times and decisions at the Visa Offices in Dublin and overseas can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions
Applications are processed in the order they were received. Expediting a visa application is usually confined to time-sensitive instances, such as, if a family member has been hospitalised, in a life-threatening situation, or in the unfortunate event of a bereavement.
In December 2025, the Immigration Service of my Department introduced online payment functionality to my Department's online visa system. This allows applicants to pay visa fees as part of the online application process. The initiative is being rolled out on a phased basis and is currently live in 40 countries, with South Africa added in January 2026. This reduces the administrative burden on Irish Missions and visa teams, and allows visa officers to dedicate more time to core application processing and decision-making, contributing to improved processing efficiency over time.
Furthermore, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications.
