Citizenship Applications From 2021 Pending Approval

[griffith2]

The letter was written after 21 months.
They issued a response the next day.
It was not a threatening letter just an enquiry about the case as 21 months wait is a significant delay in processing.

And no i don't think i will threat the minister of JR proceedings as the correspondence letter contents includes 12 weeks background checks and file will be submitted to minister after that so it looks like they are doing what they said.
I dont mind waiting as my IRp card is valid for the next 10 years .

I am hoping to get a response in the next few months. I assume it will be an approval because e vetting disclosure was done in February.

[RCCar]

when did you apply? April 2021?

[Palantir]

He only got the Acknowledgment letter in April 21. So I'd say before then.

[Palantir]

Had you done FOI prior to the letter?

The letter was written after 21 months.
They issued a response the next day.
It was not a threatening letter just an enquiry about the case as 21 months wait is a significant delay in processing.

And no i don't think i will threat the minister of JR proceedings as the correspondence letter contents includes 12 weeks background checks and file will be submitted to minister after that so it looks like they are doing what they said.
I dont mind waiting as my IRp card is valid for the next 10 years .

I am hoping to get a response in the next few months. I assume it will be an approval because e vetting disclosure was done in February.

[Palantir]

What did the letter they responded with say? Are you EU or Non-EU. I'm non-EU.

The letter was written after 21 months.
They issued a response the next day.
It was not a threatening letter just an enquiry about the case as 21 months wait is a significant delay in processing.

And no i don't think i will threat the minister of JR proceedings as the correspondence letter contents includes 12 weeks background checks and file will be submitted to minister after that so it looks like they are doing what they said.
I dont mind waiting as my IRp card is valid for the next 10 years .

I am hoping to get a response in the next few months. I assume it will be an approval because e vetting disclosure was done in February.

[griffith2]

The letter actually says that file will be submitted to the minister within 12 weeks after background checks.

The reason we wrote a letter after 21 months was because processing time was 23 months.
I know its been nearly 2 years now but i am not the only one waiting so long.

I am non eu and visa still valid for the next 10 years and no convictions not even driving. Not sure whats taking so long but anyway nothing more we can do but to just wait wait and wait.

JR threat letter can be written but to be honest at this i am not looking at doing so as i am not willing to pay thousands to a barrister to bring the minister in court over an application delay. So i will wait a few months as i do not want anymore stress in my life.

[mentalmind]

Does anyone know what’s the purpose of signing the paper that has fidelity to nation when it was supposed to be repeated aloud in the ceremony today anyways.

Because I don’t think, candidates attend to ceremonies (like the one that will happen in June) has to sign a fidelity to nation paper.

Just to be clear, I had no issue/problem with fidelity to nation nor repeating it as many times as it’s needed but just curious.

[iainke2]

While doing my semi-monthly perusal of DoJ websites with the vain hope that I will see something that might help me understand why it's taking so long, I found information about how to submit a complaint. This is simply a complaint about customer service, and I am considering submitting and copying all of my local TDs, along with the current and ad interim ministers for Justice.

Apart from the ridiculous nature of the wait for my approval, and the lack of any specific information received when you email them to inquire about the status of review for the application, I believe that the Department lost an (expired) passport I submitted with my application (pre-2022). It took me 11 months to just get a clear answer as to whether they have it with my application. That is the basis for my complaint. The vague responses they give were dismissive as I continued to inquire as to the whereabouts of the passport. Never mind that it's gone, probably forever.

Has anyone else noticed the complaint route? Has anyone submitted a complaint? Feels a bit like the nuclear option, especially to copy in all the TDs but I'm fed up!

Background: I submitted my application on 20 October 2021. I emailed in January asking about the return of the passport, and went round and round in circles with them and their ridiculously unhelpful email replies. I received my acknowledgement in June 2022, and still no passport. Finally, after several more emails, they revealed they "don't have the passport."

[Palantir]

I would put in an FOI first. They are legislatively required to reply with the information within I think four weeks. Sometimes this may be enough to "get the ball rolling", but even if it doesn't, at least you may get some more substantive/useful information to put in your complaint letter. In the meantime, you could always send letters (recommend email AND Registered post for purposes of proof that it was actually received and they can't just say it went to Spam folder) to your local TD's and to TD's in the Opposition parties requesting these ridiculous delays are raised in Parliament.

While doing my semi-monthly perusal of DoJ websites with the vain hope that I will see something that might help me understand why it's taking so long, I found information about how to submit a complaint. This is simply a complaint about customer service, and I am considering submitting and copying all of my local TDs, along with the current and ad interim ministers for Justice.

Apart from the ridiculous nature of the wait for my approval, and the lack of any specific information received when you email them to inquire about the status of review for the application, I believe that the Department lost an (expired) passport I submitted with my application (pre-2022). It took me 11 months to just get a clear answer as to whether they have it with my application. That is the basis for my complaint. The vague responses they give were dismissive as I continued to inquire as to the whereabouts of the passport. Never mind that it's gone, probably forever.

Has anyone else noticed the complaint route? Has anyone submitted a complaint? Feels a bit like the nuclear option, especially to copy in all the TDs but I'm fed up!

Background: I submitted my application on 20 October 2021. I emailed in January asking about the return of the passport, and went round and round in circles with them and their ridiculously unhelpful email replies. I received my acknowledgement in June 2022, and still no passport. Finally, after several more emails, they revealed they "don't have the passport."

[iainke2]

Thank you for recommending the FOI request. That's all drafted and ready to go, along with the complaint email.

I asked someone who shared their FOI story with one of these threads if there was an inventory of the contents of the package received with the application included in the FOI response. Apparently this was not a component of that response. So, I'm doubtful that anything other than shouting loudly will shake the tree.

As I said, I'm fed up.

I would put in an FOI first. They are legislatively required to reply with the information within I think four weeks. Sometimes this may be enough to "get the ball rolling", but even if it doesn't, at least you may get some more substantive/useful information to put in your complaint letter. In the meantime, you could always send letters (recommend email AND Registered post for purposes of proof that it was actually received and they can't just say it went to Spam folder) to your local TD's and to TD's in the Opposition parties requesting these ridiculous delays are raised in Parliament.

While doing my semi-monthly perusal of DoJ websites with the vain hope that I will see something that might help me understand why it's taking so long, I found information about how to submit a complaint. This is simply a complaint about customer service, and I am considering submitting and copying all of my local TDs, along with the current and ad interim ministers for Justice.

Apart from the ridiculous nature of the wait for my approval, and the lack of any specific information received when you email them to inquire about the status of review for the application, I believe that the Department lost an (expired) passport I submitted with my application (pre-2022). It took me 11 months to just get a clear answer as to whether they have it with my application. That is the basis for my complaint. The vague responses they give were dismissive as I continued to inquire as to the whereabouts of the passport. Never mind that it's gone, probably forever.

Has anyone else noticed the complaint route? Has anyone submitted a complaint? Feels a bit like the nuclear option, especially to copy in all the TDs but I'm fed up!

Background: I submitted my application on 20 October 2021. I emailed in January asking about the return of the passport, and went round and round in circles with them and their ridiculously unhelpful email replies. I received my acknowledgement in June 2022, and still no passport. Finally, after several more emails, they revealed they "don't have the passport."

[Palantir]

I would send FOI asap. Get the ball rolling. I'f say you might get dome useful information from FOI. Plus, they are legally obliged to reply and you can appeal if they don't provide sufficient information. It is up to them to show why certain information was not provided in reply to FOI.

I would still contact TD's and mention you have put in FOI. There needs to be some accountability for these public servants! After all, we pay their wages with our not-insignificant taxes!

Thank you for recommending the FOI request. That's all drafted and ready to go, along with the complaint email.

I asked someone who shared their FOI story with one of these threads if there was an inventory of the contents of the package received with the application included in the FOI response. Apparently this was not a component of that response. So, I'm doubtful that anything other than shouting loudly will shake the tree.

As I said, I'm fed up.

I would put in an FOI first. They are legislatively required to reply with the information within I think four weeks. Sometimes this may be enough to "get the ball rolling", but even if it doesn't, at least you may get some more substantive/useful information to put in your complaint letter. In the meantime, you could always send letters (recommend email AND Registered post for purposes of proof that it was actually received and they can't just say it went to Spam folder) to your local TD's and to TD's in the Opposition parties requesting these ridiculous delays are raised in Parliament.

While doing my semi-monthly perusal of DoJ websites with the vain hope that I will see something that might help me understand why it's taking so long, I found information about how to submit a complaint. This is simply a complaint about customer service, and I am considering submitting and copying all of my local TDs, along with the current and ad interim ministers for Justice.

Apart from the ridiculous nature of the wait for my approval, and the lack of any specific information received when you email them to inquire about the status of review for the application, I believe that the Department lost an (expired) passport I submitted with my application (pre-2022). It took me 11 months to just get a clear answer as to whether they have it with my application. That is the basis for my complaint. The vague responses they give were dismissive as I continued to inquire as to the whereabouts of the passport. Never mind that it's gone, probably forever.

Has anyone else noticed the complaint route? Has anyone submitted a complaint? Feels a bit like the nuclear option, especially to copy in all the TDs but I'm fed up!

Background: I submitted my application on 20 October 2021. I emailed in January asking about the return of the passport, and went round and round in circles with them and their ridiculously unhelpful email replies. I received my acknowledgement in June 2022, and still no passport. Finally, after several more emails, they revealed they "don't have the passport."

[luxurylemon]

My wife nonEU 5 years, applied July 2021 got FOI response: application continue processing (the same as my response). She got acknowledgement November 2021 and nothing more...
How many people in that from 2021?
I applied July 2021 completed e-vetting at least.

My husbands application went in Sept 2021. Passport received back November 2021. Acknowledgement May 2022. Nothing since. Really expected to receive e-vetting the first quarter of this year but it seems like everyone is saying spouse applications are being put on the long finger. Non EU (US) Spouse application living in Ireland about 7 years at this stage, both same employers etc. should be fairly straight forward. Will do FOI later in the year if I hear nothing in the meantime.

[Palantir]

You can do FOI after twelve months. Completely unacceptable how long they take.

My wife nonEU 5 years, applied July 2021 got FOI response: application continue processing (the same as my response). She got acknowledgement November 2021 and nothing more...
How many people in that from 2021?
I applied July 2021 completed e-vetting at least.

My husbands application went in Sept 2021. Passport received back November 2021. Acknowledgement May 2022. Nothing since. Really expected to receive e-vetting the first quarter of this year but it seems like everyone is saying spouse applications are being put on the long finger. Non EU (US) Spouse application living in Ireland about 7 years at this stage, both same employers etc. should be fairly straight forward. Will do FOI later in the year if I hear nothing in the meantime.

[luxurylemon]

You can do FOI after twelve months. Completely unacceptable how long they take.

Thanks, I thought it was 2 years. That's probably 2 years for judicial review then? Maybe if by the end of Q1 we haven't heard anything I'll do the FOI request.

[meself2]

You can do FOI after twelve months. Completely unacceptable how long they take.

Thanks, I thought it was 2 years. That's probably 2 years for judicial review then? Maybe if by the end of Q1 we haven't heard anything I'll do the FOI request.

Yea, 2 years for JR.

[Palantir]

Technically you can put in a FOI request at any time. But generally after 12 months is the recommended timeframe.

You can do FOI after twelve months. Completely unacceptable how long they take.

Thanks, I thought it was 2 years. That's probably 2 years for judicial review then? Maybe if by the end of Q1 we haven't heard anything I'll do the FOI request.

[clownfish]

I think it would be really helpful to see a table with the total number of applications received, by month, since Jan 2021 and how many of those in each month are approved/declined/in progress.

This would help make a strong case for unfair delays (i.e., how does your status compare vs most others received in the same month).

Does anyone know any TD who could request this so it's made public in the Oireachtas website?

[iainke2]

I would imagine Simon Harris and/or Helen McEntee (on maternity leave), as the ministers of Justice. Though maybe they'd be less willing because they don't want to expose the Department. There is information similar to this here, page 15. https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-cont ... t-2022.pdf. Not the level of detail you've proposed, but there you have it.

And, I just found this. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/qu ... 96/#pq_496

While the measures he mentions towards the end are great, none of them were in place for 2021 applications.

I think it would be really helpful to see a table with the total number of applications received, by month, since Jan 2021 and how many of those in each month are approved/declined/in progress.

This would help make a strong case for unfair delays (i.e., how does your status compare vs most others received in the same month).

Does anyone know any TD who could request this so it's made public in the Oireachtas website?

[iainke2]

So maybe Minister Jim O'Callaghan would be a good person to contact with your proposed request for information on the status of 2021 applications. He happens to be one of the TDs for my area, and is on my list of people to contact for attention to my application and/or the complaint I've drafted.

I would imagine Simon Harris and/or Helen McEntee (on maternity leave), as the ministers of Justice. Though maybe they'd be less willing because they don't want to expose the Department. There is information similar to this here, page 15. https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-cont ... t-2022.pdf. Not the level of detail you've proposed, but there you have it.

And, I just found this. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/qu ... 96/#pq_496

While the measures he mentions towards the end are great, none of them were in place for 2021 applications.

I think it would be really helpful to see a table with the total number of applications received, by month, since Jan 2021 and how many of those in each month are approved/declined/in progress.

This would help make a strong case for unfair delays (i.e., how does your status compare vs most others received in the same month).

Does anyone know any TD who could request this so it's made public in the Oireachtas website?

[Palantir]

Think he is worth contacting, but contacting the people in power could be a waste as they don't want to expose their own failures and incompetence.

Definitely think you should contact the opposition TD's. Google will show you which ones have previously expressed dissatisfaction with the Minister and Dept.

Really is outrageous that this is still going on. Did you notice how people who put in applications in 2023 are getting e-vetting already! Meanwhile people who put in in 2021 and 2022 still haven't! Something fishy!!

So maybe Minister Jim O'Callaghan would be a good person to contact with your proposed request for information on the status of 2021 applications. He happens to be one of the TDs for my area, and is on my list of people to contact for attention to my application and/or the complaint I've drafted.

I would imagine Simon Harris and/or Helen McEntee (on maternity leave), as the ministers of Justice. Though maybe they'd be less willing because they don't want to expose the Department. There is information similar to this here, page 15. https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-cont ... t-2022.pdf. Not the level of detail you've proposed, but there you have it.

And, I just found this. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/qu ... 96/#pq_496

While the measures he mentions towards the end are great, none of them were in place for 2021 applications.

I think it would be really helpful to see a table with the total number of applications received, by month, since Jan 2021 and how many of those in each month are approved/declined/in progress.

This would help make a strong case for unfair delays (i.e., how does your status compare vs most others received in the same month).

Does anyone know any TD who could request this so it's made public in the Oireachtas website?

[meself2]

Quick question - does last two numbers indicate the application year?
I've applied in Dec, but have CITZ-22 at the end - is my application considered to be 2022 one then?

[RCCar]

Yes, but don't worry - they process them in chronological (honestly in some random) order

[samach]

You get a good customer experience if there is will and accountability. Sadly with the citizenship department, there seems to be neither.
Let me give you an example when there was a will. My daughter is Irish and she was born in Nov 2020. During that time of the year. some genius in the government decided that passport service is not critical so they suspended issuing/renewing passports. By May 2021 there was a backlog of ~150K passports ( I read 400K backlog too but lets not take that example). Obviously people were complaining all this time. In May 2021 they resumed the passport service and the backlog was cleared in 8 weeks. I received my daughters passport in 6 weeks. You see, in this case, there was a will to help people and they got rightly served.

The backlog for naturalisation application is 10 times less. Yes processing a passport application is less complex than a naturalisation application but two years??

Justice Citizenship delayed is Justice denied

[KristinaT]

Applied in July 2021, still had no e-vetting, does email to them make sense? (sent 2 in the past and FOI and got just generic response)

[samach]

Applied in July 2021, still had no e-vetting, does email to them make sense? (sent 2 in the past and FOI and got just generic response)

Would you say your application is a straightforward one?