The Immigration Service Delivery’s weekly dashboard, published on 6 October, indicates that the Dublin visa office is currently processing study-visa applications received on 22 June 2026. Appeals lodged on 6 October 2025 are only now being examined. Business-visa files from 27 August and employment-permit visas from 8 August are also in the queue. The data confirm persistent backlogs of up to 15 weeks for higher-education entrants—critical intelligence for universities and multinational graduate programmes planning January 2027 intakes. Join-family and de facto partner visas continue to face the longest waits, some dating back to mid-2024. ISD states that dates are refreshed every Tuesday; however, officials warn that some categories may not move weekly due to volume. Applicants are reminded not to book travel until a decision is issued. For global mobility professionals the takeaway is clear: build generous lead times into assignment schedules, especially for dependants. Employers may need to adjust onboard dates or explore temporary remote-working arrangements while staff await visas. Advisors also note that incomplete documentation remains a leading cause of refusal and further delay. ISD has committed additional resources to the study-visa unit ahead of the 2027 academic year, but no timeline has been given for clearing the backlog.
Source: Immigration Service Delivery
