Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a family reunification visa application (details supplied); and the current processing target times for applications of this nature, given the six-month target time advised in her Department’s FAQ has passed. [28612/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the application referred to was created on the 06 May 2023. Supporting documentation was received in the Pretoria office on the 28 September 2023. The application was received in the Dublin Visa Office on the 06 October 2023 where it awaits examination and processing.

Long Stay Join Family visa applications are processed in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification. This policy document may be accessed at the following link:

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This Policy Document contains a stated business target that visa applications for family reunification for immediate family members of Irish citizens and Category A sponsors, such as Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders, should be dealt with within 6 months of application.

However, it must be made clear that these are business targets for the immigration service. The business target reflects the detailed and often complex assessment that is required to be carried out in relation to applications for family reunification.

It is not possible to give a definitive date as to when this application will be finalised. All applications are processed in chronological order, based on date order of receipt. While every effort is made to process applications as soon as possible, processing times will vary having regard to the volume and complexity of applications, the possible need for the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) function of the Department to investigate, inquire into, or seek further information, and the resources available.

The applicant will be notified as soon as a decision has been reached by a Visa Officer.

The Dublin Visa Office are currently processing join family visa applications, where the sponsor is an Irish citizen, received in the Dublin Visa Office on 13 July 2023. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:

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It is open to any applicant to request their passport back while they are awaiting a decision on their visa application. This request should be forwarded directly to the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa quoting the application number. The Embassy can be contacted at:

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Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: , which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.