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:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Policy-document-on-Non-EEA-family-reunification.pdf
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.
A 12 month target will apply for applications to join Category B sponsors, such as Non Critical Skills Employment Permit Holders or Stamp 4 holders not covered by other more favourable arrangements.
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.
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 staffing levels in the Visa Division of my Department are kept under review in line with the business needs of the Division.
The below table shows the number of long stay join family visa applications processed in each week of the year 2022 up to 28 February 2023.
Year
|
Week
|
Granted on Appeal
|
Granted
|
Refused
|
2022
|
1
|
11
|
834
|
45
|
2022
|
2
|
24
|
795
|
92
|
2022
|
3
|
25
|
988
|
94
|
2022
|
4
|
27
|
766
|
113
|
2022
|
5
|
18
|
681
|
84
|
2022
|
6
|
22
|
623
|
141
|
2022
|
7
|
32
|
704
|
79
|
2022
|
8
|
16
|
626
|
128
|
2022
|
9
|
25
|
644
|
94
|
2022
|
10
|
45
|
564
|
57
|
2022
|
11
|
8
|
371
|
39
|
2022
|
12
|
25
|
668
|
72
|
2022
|
13
|
23
|
836
|
69
|
2022
|
14
|
24
|
772
|
74
|
2022
|
15
|
19
|
736
|
88
|
2022
|
16
|
9
|
403
|
70
|
2022
|
17
|
27
|
753
|
78
|
2022
|
18
|
40
|
381
|
68
|
2022
|
19
|
16
|
622
|
66
|
2022
|
20
|
16
|
688
|
56
|
2022
|
21
|
13
|
1117
|
82
|
2022
|
22
|
13
|
884
|
88
|
2022
|
23
|
13
|
862
|
92
|
2022
|
24
|
20
|
1157
|
82
|
2022
|
25
|
17
|
1000
|
131
|
2022
|
26
|
8
|
935
|
87
|
2022
|
27
|
14
|
1405
|
90
|
2022
|
28
|
13
|
1079
|
59
|
2022
|
29
|
9
|
2011
|
100
|
2022
|
30
|
34
|
1656
|
159
|
2022
|
31
|
27
|
1864
|
139
|
2022
|
32
|
41
|
1631
|
155
|
2022
|
33
|
26
|
1368
|
123
|
2022
|
34
|
36
|
1751
|
146
|
2022
|
35
|
41
|
1561
|
194
|
2022
|
36
|
32
|
1337
|
127
|
2022
|
37
|
41
|
1338
|
122
|
2022
|
38
|
20
|
1268
|
124
|
2022
|
39
|
15
|
1124
|
146
|
2022
|
40
|
28
|
779
|
115
|
2022
|
41
|
27
|
1008
|
136
|
2022
|
42
|
34
|
1112
|
126
|
2022
|
43
|
21
|
612
|
87
|
2022
|
44
|
12
|
959
|
67
|
2022
|
45
|
27
|
1059
|
83
|
2022
|
46
|
22
|
1181
|
149
|
2022
|
47
|
49
|
1053
|
108
|
2022
|
48
|
14
|
891
|
107
|
2022
|
49
|
21
|
858
|
101
|
2022
|
50
|
37
|
904
|
169
|
2022
|
51
|
26
|
990
|
169
|
2022
|
52
|
10
|
351
|
64
|
2023
|
1
|
45
|
712
|
132
|
2023
|
2
|
26
|
1002
|
199
|
2023
|
3
|
28
|
870
|
216
|
2023
|
4
|
31
|
807
|
196
|
2023
|
5
|
21
|
1127
|
211
|
2023
|
6
|
44
|
886
|
179
|
2023
|
7
|
60
|
853
|
146
|
2023
|
8
|
28
|
785
|
121
|
2023
|
9
|
11
|
370
|
63
|