Migrant rights body hits out at 'ludicrous' waiting times to process visas

The latest figures from the Department of Justice show that applicants are currently waiting between four and 12 months across seven overseas visa offices to join their families. File photo: iStock

It is “ludicrous” that non-EEA nationals are waiting up to 12 months to hear whether they can join their immediate families in Ireland, a migrant rights organisation has said.

The latest figures from the Department of Justice show that applicants are currently waiting between four and 12 months across seven overseas visa offices to join their families.

The United Arab Emirates visa office is facing a wait time of up to 24 weeks to give a decision on the Rejoin Family visa application.

Those applying for the same visa through offices in Dublin, China, or Turkey are facing a wait time of up to 12 months.

The London office has a wait time of between four and six months, while people who make their applications through the New Delhi office are waiting eight months for a decision.

Campaigns Manager for the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, Neil Bruton, said it is “ludicrous to think that people are waiting such long times to have their visas processed”. 

“Any and all visa applications should be processed within a reasonable timeframe,” he told the Irish Examiner.

“We are particularly concerned about the very long processing times people face on their applications to join their immediate family here in Ireland.

“This separates families for longer than necessary which has a huge impact on the people involved,” Mr Bruton added.

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He added that currently thousands of workers involved in essential jobs are “being forced to live apart from their families for years on end because of this unfair system”. 

“They face 12 months before they can even apply, a salary assessment that thousands can’t meet and then an extremely long wait for their application to be processed,” Mr Bruton said.

“We believe this is extremely unfair and that all workers should be able to have their family with them from the start.” 

Meanwhile, visit visa applications, are experiencing a 12-week processing time if applying through the Dublin office. Those applying through the Abu Dhabi office are waiting up to four weeks to hear a decision while decisions at the New Delhi office take up to five weeks.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice added that processing times will vary by office as well as by the category of visa applied for. Additionally, student visas are seeing a four- to eight-week wait period across six of the seven visa offices globally.