Dáil Question Regarding Criteria for Holiday Visas to Ireland

QUESTION NO: 457

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Justice and Equality (Mr. Shatter)

for WRITTEN on Tuesday, 13th March, 2012.

* To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria used to determine if an applicant or reference for a holiday visa to Ireland has sufficient funds to finance their trip to Ireland; if there is a specific level of income or savings which need to be attained by either the applicant or reference before the application can be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. €“ Anthony Lawlor

REPLY.

In assessing a visa application a visa officer takes into consideration a number of factors before arriving at a decision. Each visa application is considered on its individual merits, the onus resting at all times with the applicant to satisfy the visa officer that the visa should be granted.

Regarding the matter of finances and what would be considered sufficient, I can advise that there is no specific level of income or savings identified as being sufficient for holiday purposes. Because of the unique nature of each case, it is not possible to be prescriptive in this regard. However, in order to provide the Deputy with some insight in to the decision making process, a visa officer may consider finances as being insufficient in such circumstances as follows:

• where no evidence of finances was provided, or where the evidence that was provided was deemed insufficient or incomplete;
• the finances shown are deemed insufficient taking into account the duration and nature of the proposed stay in Ireland;
• where the potential cost of the proposed visit is high in comparison to the means which the applicant has shown.

As with all visa services in countries worldwide, my central concern as the Minister responsible is that my Department strikes an appropriate balance between protecting the country’s vital national interests by maintaining an effective immigration regime, while, at the same time, not placing unnecessary or unreasonable obstacles in the way of those who intend travelling for legitimate purposes and who are likely to abide by the terms of their visa.