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A thread: Article setting out experiences & frustrations of applicants waiting on #citizenship decisions arising from lack of clarity regarding overall process, noting #INIS manager ‘surprise’ that applicants ‘find it opaque’. This is hardly news... 1/10
In 2011 @immigrationIRL, in partnership with @NascIreland, published a study Living in Limbo, which highlighted many issues including lack of transparency in the citizenship process, especially arising from total Ministerial discretion re outcome & lack of appeal process. 2/10
Motivations for applying were many & varied but also included desire to obtain ‘security of status’ in absence of any alternative permanent residence status & difficulty in maintaining residence status in system that struggles to deal with cases clearly or efficiently. 3/10
After Living in Limbo, positive changes made - wonderful citizenship ceremonies introduced & efforts made to reduce processing times (seem to be slipping again...). However, lack of clarity in overall system (residence & citizenship) remains & unable to deal w/ real lives. 4/10
Several calls on @immigrationIRL Helpline last Friday shine a light on this, incl.: 1) how long must a visa-required foreign national wait before being permitted to apply again to visit daughter & granddaughter? 5/10
2) Stamp 1G permit due to expire but holder has been unable to get INIS registration appointment for weeks or before permit expires. Employment permit took 17 weeks to process & negative decision arrived day before 1G expires. Can they stay while employer appeals? 6/10
3) What really are criteria for approving Stamp 0 applic.? Will INIS process it & issue decision (positive or negative) before current visitor stamp expires even if that is 8 weeks? (INIS usually request applicants applying for renewal to apply 4 weeks in advance but...). 7/10
4) A person eligible to apply for residence as spouse of EU national & parent of Irish citizen but applying for critical skills permit as processing times of other apps mean they can’t work immediately & don’t want to bring child back until job, flat & childcare sorted. 8/10
5) What are the intended ‘domestic immigration arrangements’ for British citizens & family post-Brexit? Person living in NI now but has job offer & trying to plan. 9/10
These are the queries that real people have who are just trying to get on with study, work, family, life.... & trying to make sure they do everything by the book. The uncertainty gives rise to considerable stress. It really should be possible to answer these queries.... 10/10
