Lengthy delays in the processing of Join Family visas
As of the 29th of April 2025, the Immigration Service Delivery have updated their visa decisions page outlining which visa applications and visa appeals are currently being processed by the Dublin visa office.
A notable change is that the dates of join family visa applications currently being processed has been updated. The most recent decision made on a join family visa application, where the sponsor is in category B, was issued for an application received by the Visa Office on the 22nd of November 2023. Appeals of the same category received on the 7th of December 2022 are also now being issued with decisions.
For join family visa applications where the sponsor is in Category A, or an Irish citizen, the Department has most recently issued decisions on applications received on the 7th of August 2023. Regarding appeals of applications falling into the same category, those received on the 2nd of February 2023 have been issued with decisions.
It is unusual that applications from Category B sponsors are being processed more expeditiously than those from Category A sponsors.
The ISD business targets for the processing of Join family visa applications for sponsors in Category A is 6 months and for Category B is 12 months. These business targets are not being met and the delay in the processing of join family visas has become a notable and stressful concern for clients.
Furthermore, it is concerning that the page had previously stated that applications received on 23rd July 2023 were being processed. This processing time was in place for over six months. This would indicate a complete stalling of the processing of applications, or that extremely few applications, if any, were processed in this time frame.
This delay in processing of visas for families is a source of concern. It is resulting in long term separation of families, including children and is a source of huge stress to our clients.
For more information on the processing times for visa applications being assessed in Dublin, please see the link below:
https://www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/
Berkeley Solicitors is available to provide advice and support for anyone commencing the Visa application process.
If you have any queriers relating to the processing time for visa applications please contact Berkeley Solicitors to arrange a consultation with one of our experienced legal advisor.
This blog article has been prepared on the basis of current immigration law and policy, which is subject to change. Please keep an eye on our blog and Facebook page where articles relating to updates and changes in immigration law and policy are regularly posted.
