International doctors urge Ireland to amend visa policies to allow their families to join them.
Key Takeaways
1. International doctors in Ireland are calling for reforms to the visa processing system to allow their family members to join them.
2. The Irish Society of International Doctors (ISID) reports significant visa delays affecting many doctors.
3. An ISID survey indicates a visa rejection rate of approximately 50% for international doctors.
The Irish Society of International Doctors (ISID) is urging Irish authorities to reform the visa processing system to allow family members of international doctors to join them.
According to ISID, many doctors face significant delays in securing visas for their spouses, children, or even for short visits by their parents.
Dr. Liqa ur Rehman from ISID told RTE News that these delays negatively impact the mental, social, and family lives of international doctors who contribute to the Irish health system. He cited an ISID survey showing a visa rejection rate of about 50%.
In response, the Department of Justice stated that there are several pathways for doctors planning to practice in Ireland, with family reunification eligibility depending on the permission granted. The department claims a 95% approval rate for family reunification visas and emphasized the significant contributions of non-European doctors to Ireland’s health services. They believe the rejection rate for family reunification visas is lower than 50%.
According to the Irish Department of Justice, doctors from outside the EU are crucial to the Irish health system, comprising over half of those registered in Ireland.
Over 10,000 Work Permits Issued to Health & Social Workers in 2023
Official data from the Irish government shows that Ireland issued 30,981 work permits last year, with only 5% (1,575) being refused. Indians received the most work permits in 2023.
Most of the permits were issued for health and social workers, with over 10,000 permits representing 32% of the total. Dublin alone accounted for 15,401 permits, or 49% of all work permits issued.
In a recent Reddit thread about EU citizenship preferences, Irish citizenship emerged as the most sought-after by non-EU citizens, who cited numerous advantages compared to other European countries.