Iranian critical-skills workers face ‘inhumane’ delays for family visas

Skilled workers, the very individuals Ireland seeks to attract and retain, are being subjected to what can only be described as inhumane delays in bringing their families to join them. These are not casual visitors; these are spouses, partners, and families seeking to build a life here, contributing to Ireland's economy and society. The current situation, where processing times stretch beyond two years, is not merely an administrative inconvenience; it is a profound emotional and psychological burden.

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inhumane

For individuals in critical sectors like cybersecurity, chemical engineering, and artificial intelligence, the promise of a stable life in Ireland is being overshadowed by the agonizing uncertainty of family separation. The ongoing conflict in their homeland adds a layer of desperation, making the delays feel even more cruel. When colleagues from other nations, with seemingly straightforward applications, receive swift approvals, it deepens the sense of injustice and highlights a potential disparity in treatment.

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desperate

The Department of Justice's own guidelines suggest a 12-month processing period for 'join family' visas, a benchmark that appears to be consistently missed. This discrepancy between stated policy and lived reality is eroding trust and forcing talented individuals to question their future in Ireland. The prospect of seeking opportunities elsewhere, despite being offered jobs in other European countries, is a stark warning that Ireland risks losing valuable talent due to these protracted and poorly communicated bureaucratic processes.

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very bad