497. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of family reunification applications received from holders of general employment permits by country (details supplied) in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, and from 1 January to 30 June 2026; the number of such applications decided in each period; the average or median processing time for those applications, by nationality; the average period such applications spend being processed by an Irish embassy or visa office outside Ireland, where applicable; the average period they spend being processed by the Immigration Service in Ireland, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52730/26]

I understand that the Deputy has agreed to limit the scope of this question to the overall figures for Join Family visa applications received and decisions made during the time period specified.

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.

Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland. It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.

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.

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.

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 2025 the average processing time for all types of Join Family visa applications was 113 days.

In 2025, approximately 206,000 visa applications, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 2% compared to 2024, with over 3,900 additional applications received. This follows a 21% increase in applications in 2024 compared to 2023. In the first six months of 2026, my Department's Visa Division received approximately 102,000 visa applications and has issued approximately 85,200 decisions.

The table below details the overall Join Family visa applications received and the first instance decisions issued for 2023 to 2026 (up to 30/06) as requested by the Deputy.

* Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.

* A decision made in a particular year may relate to an application received in a previous year.

* Categories Include: Join Family (Irish nat.)(de facto partner); Join Family (Irish nat.)(other); Join Family (Irish nat.)(spouse); Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(de facto partner); Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(other); Join Family (Non-EEA nat.)(spouse).