The current breakdown in Ireland’s visa processing system is having devastating consequences on businesses, workers, and families. Employers are losing critical staff, projects are grinding to a halt, and contracts are collapsing due to unpredictable, prolonged delays. Individuals who arrived in good faith are facing financial hardship and emotional distress, while families are being torn apart. Companies are being pushed to the brink of closure, and skilled candidates are withdrawing from Ireland-bound opportunities altogether. This is no longer just an administrative issue — it has escalated into human and economic crisis. Media attention is urgently needed to hold the Department of Justice accountable, restore transparency to the system, and rebuild trust in Ireland’s immigration processes before more lives and livelihoods are irreparably damaged.

Background

Ireland’s immigration system, overseen by the Department of Justice, states that employment permit visas should be processed within 6–8 weeks, and that family reunification visas should be processed within 12 to 14 months from the date the General Employment Permit (GEP) holder receives their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, which is expected to be issued within 10–15 working days after being registered.

(Source: https://www.immigrantcouncil.ie/rights/family-reunification)

These timeframes are essential to Ireland’s ability to attract skilled professionals and uphold the family reunification rights of those already contributing to the economy. However, in recent months, delays have emerged across all visa categories — particularly employment and family visas.

A key contributor to these delays is the scheduling of IRP appointments, which can now take 4–5 months for General Employment Permit holders. This alone pushes the family reunification timeline to 16–19 months from the employee’s arrival.

In the third quarter of 2024, the average wait time for a visa after a work permit was issued was just 2–3 weeks. Today, many applicants are left waiting several months beyond the stated processing targets, often without updates or responses to appeals. While published updates are available for

March and April 2025, there is a noticeable lack of information for January and February, and prior to that, only November and December 2024 data is available — contributing to widespread uncertainty.

In addition to these delays, organisations have encountered technical issues with core immigration systems. Since early this week, access to the DETE Permit system has been blocked due to a registration-related error. Despite repeated efforts to engage EPOS through various contact channels, the issue remains unresolved. This has halted all permit submissions, directly affecting approximately 80% of some businesses’ operations and putting jobs at immediate risk.

Current Issues Work Visas:

Many skilled professionals have secured job offers in Ireland only to face indefinite delays in visa processing.
Businesses depending on these employees to fill skill gaps are being forced to place projects and operations on hold, directly affecting their ability to trade, deliver services, and maintain staffing levels.
Delays are impacting not only the businesses waiting for employees but also their clients and partner companies, creating a knock-on effect on supply chains and local economies.
Candidates awaiting visas are experiencing severe financial hardship, having resigned from jobs in their home countries, sold property, or relocated to temporary accommodation while waiting for approvals that do not materialise.
The growing social media outcry within immigrant communities is deterring skilled professionals from applying to Ireland-based roles, exacerbating skills shortages in critical sectors like healthcare, construction, and IT.

Family Visas:

Delays for family reunification visas, particularly for holders of General Work Permits (as opposed to Critical Skills Employment Permits), are even longer — in some cases exceeding one year.
Individuals arriving in Ireland under the promise of family reunification within a year are left without clarity, causing immense emotional distress and financial strain.
Families separated for prolonged periods are experiencing mental health challenges, relationship breakdowns, and unsustainable living situations.
Workers are abandoning positions in Ireland to return to their families abroad, leading to further workforce gaps and operational instability for Irish employers.
The financial consequences for families are grave. These delays also mean that individuals are forced to shoulder the living costs of maintaining two households – the one they have already established in Ireland, and the one their families continue to inhabit in their home

countries. This can be an enormous financial burden, particularly as many spouses have resigned from their jobs with the expectation of an imminent move, only to find themselves in prolonged periods of unemployment.

Many individuals have liquidated personal assets, including savings and pensions, to support their move to Ireland. They face significant financial strain as they struggle to cover living expenses without income, leading to a precarious financial situation that jeopardizes their future stability.

What Should Processing Times Be?

Per the Department of Justice and the Irish Immigration Service Delivery (ISD):

Work Visas (Employment Permits):

Approx. 6–8 weeks following submission, depending on application category and completeness.

Family Reunification Visas:

Expected within 6–8 weeks for dependents of Critical Skills Employment Permit holders and up to 12 months for General Employment Permit holders (though official guidelines aim for faster processing where possible).Source: Irish Immigration Service Delivery official website (www.irishimmigration.ie) and published Department of Justice guidelines (latest available: 2024).

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