731. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason spouse visa timelines have jumped from one month to six; if a compassionate prioritisation can be provided for couples who have already endured long-term separation or are facing health crises and ensure transparency for families who are currently left in the dark. [37243/26]

I understand the Deputy has clarified that his question relates to Join Family visas.

I can advise the Deputy that my Department currently operates seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. These are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi. In addition, staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade process certain visa applications in Irish Embassies abroad under delegated authority from my Department.

While processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices and Irish Embassies, the majority of visas are processed within stated target times. In respect of join family visa applications, the majority receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target.

Processing times and decisions at the Visa Offices in Dublin and overseas can be checked at the following link: [www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions]

It should be noted that some applications can take considerably longer. Processing times for all applications are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the application lodged. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.

The current processing times of applications for “join family” visas varies depending on the circumstances when the application is made. If a non-EEA national is moving to Ireland because they have been granted a Critical Skills Employment Permit, they can apply for “join family” visas at the same time as their own employment visa. When these visas are applied for together, they are processed in tandem and typically receive a first instance decision within the 10-12 week business target.

People who make “join family” visa applications separately from the above process, and for those here on General Employment Permits, they will generally receive a first instance decision within the 12 month business target.

Applications are generally taken for processing in chronological order. However, as advised, the time required to process any individual application can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case, the level of verification required, and the individual circumstances involved. As a result, some more recently submitted applications may receive a decision before earlier applications.

I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who has made an application for a visa that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.

In this context, the ongoing Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) modernisation programme is designed to support a more efficient, transparent and accessible immigration system. The recent establishment of dedicated teams for Application Submission and Join Family Case Processing are intended to help streamline workflows, reduce duplication and strengthen expertise, thereby improving the service delivery for join family visa applications.

I can advise the Deputy that expediting a visa application is usually confined to time-sensitive instances, such as, if a family member has been hospitalised, in a life-threatening situation, or in the unfortunate event of a bereavement. Requests to expedite an existing visa application or for an emergency visa can be made through my Department's Customer Service Portal at: [https://portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/]. Applicants should also engage with the relevant Embassy of Ireland and provide supporting evidence of the nature of the emergency. Each request is assessed individually, and while every effort is made to process urgent cases quickly, not all requests to expedite an application can be granted.