Three-fold increase in emigration-visa inquiries

A visa agency has reported a dramatic increase in the level of queries about emigration this month.

Visa First processes paperwork for skilled migrants, business travellers and tourists in a number of countries, including Australia, New Zealand, the US and Canada.

The company is advising today of up-coming changes to the permanent residency visa for Australia in July.

Edwina Shanahan from Visa First said January has already seen a three-fold increase in the number of applications for visas.

She said the up-coming changes to the Australia visa system and time spent reflecting on the Irish economic situation over the Christmas period were responsible for the upsurge.