New Online VISA Application & Tracking System for Ireland Launched

 

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has launched a new online visa application service, developed by Siemens.

 

This initiative is a response to a huge increase in visa applications in recent years. There are now 150,000 visa applications annually including re-entry visas. In order to facilitate these significant numbers and to improve the efficiency of the processing system, Siemens was appointed to develop the technology for online application and tracking of Irish visas.

 

The new online service, known as AVATS* was piloted in November 2007 and is currently available in 12 countries across the world including India, China and Egypt and a number of European countries.

 

Brendan Tangney, Public Sector Sales Manager, Siemens said “AVATS provides Ireland with a modern, secure VISA application processing system, which covers the full VISA lifecycle, from application to visa issuance. The online facility means that customers can make applications any time, any place.”

 

AVATS delivers up to date information on the current status of applications irrespective of location. It also allows the department to access up to the minute information on numbers of applications received at each location around the world. A key feature of AVATS is an on-line visa application facility.

 

The new system keeps a record of previously issued visas and allows the INIS to apply photographs to each application, whether successful or not, so it can identify people applying for subsequent applications in a speedy and efficient manner. It has the capacity to include biometric technology. In addition to providing a more efficient application service, the system will enhance the security of the visa system.

The Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service was established in 2005 in order to provide a centralised service in relation to asylum, immigration, citizenship and visas. The INIS is responsible for administering the administrative functions of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to asylum, immigration (including Visas) and citizenship matters.

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