Tag Archive for: Irish Embassy

EMPLOYMENT PERMITS ACT 2024 SIGNED INTO LAW

UPDATE ON PROCESSING OF VISA APPLICATIONS IN THE EMBASSY OF IRELAND, NEW DELHI, INDIA

The Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi, has announced a number of updates on the processing of visa applications and appeals in a notice dated 18th July 2024.

Firstly, the notice provides that those in the following visa categories will now have their application transferred to the Dublin visa office for processing:

  • Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (de facto partner);
  • Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (other);
  • Family member of EU/EEA/Swiss cit. (spouse);
  • Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner);
  • Join Family (de facto partner CSEP/HA) ;
  • Join Family (UK nat.);
  • Minister of Religion; and
  • Volunteer

This means that, for these categories, the Dublin visa office processing times now apply.

The notice provides an update on median processing times for applications processed in the Embassy of Ireland, New Delhi. Notably, the processing time for Join family visas is now listed as 3 calendar months for a first instance decision, and 12 calendar months for an appeal decision. The notice states that the Embassy currently has a backlog of Join family appeals, specifically those involving Category B sponsors in Ireland who failed to meet the criteria set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification.

The notice additionally states that applications which have not been processed within the median processing times stated on the website are likely delayed for various reasons, such as a delay in biometric information, ineligibility or that the application is awaiting verification.

With regard to Join family visas specifically, delays likely mean that the sponsor has not met the criteria set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. The notice states that, in such cases, applications will be reviewed under the exceptional criteria which can take up to a year to be fully assessed.

The full notice can be found here:

Visa Information, times and decisions | Embassy of Ireland, India | Ireland.ie | Ireland – this is Ireland

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.

RECENT SUPREME COURT CASE UPHOLDS MINISTER’S REFUSAL TO EXTEND WORKING HOLIDAY VISA

IMMIGRATION SERVICE DELIVERY ANNOUNCES POLICY CHANGE ON EXTENSION OF ENTRY VISAS DUE TO COVID-19

The Immigration Service Delivery has issued an updated set of frequently asked questions in relation to Covid-19 and its effects on immigration services in the State.

The document now states that individuals who were recently issued  D category entry visas (prior to 15th March 2020) and who were unable to travel to Ireland during the validity dates of their visa as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, may now apply to amend dates on the approved visa.

The previous position of the Immigration Service Delivery was that such individuals would have to submit new visa applications in the event that they could not travel to Ireland within the validity dates of their visa.

The relevant section states as follows:

“Q 5. What facility will be put in place if I am currently outside Ireland and was recently granted a C or D entry visa for Ireland but I am now unable to come to Ireland during the validity period of my entry visa due to travel restrictions? Can my entry visa be extended or will I have to submit a new visa application?

A. In the case of Long Stay visas issued prior to 15th March 2020 where an applicant was not in a position to travel to Ireland because of the COVID-19 situation, it may be possible to amend the dates on the approved visa. Once we resume accepting visa applications, you should contact the Irish Embassy or Consulate that issued the visa to you.

In the case of Employment/Volunteer/Minister of Religion/Study visas, you should be able to show the Embassy that the reason for your travel to Ireland still applies, before consideration could be given to amending the visa that was issued to you.

Anyone who was issued a Short Stay visa during the same period but was similarly unable to travel to Ireland because of the COVID-19 situation will need to make a new visa application when normal visa processing resumes. However, depending on the period of time that has passed and the circumstances of the particular case, if you decide to re-apply we will consider waiving the fee for the new application.”

Given the long processing times for new visa applications, we at Berkeley Solicitors welcome this development.

The full document can be read here.

If you have any queries about applying for an Irish visa, please do not hesitate to contact our office.