Appeal or Review
Application

An appeal or review asks the Irish authorities to look again at a refused application. Ireland doesn't have a single appeals tribunal for these decisions; instead, each type of decision has its own process. Long stay visa refusals are appealed to a Visa Appeals Officer, employment permit refusals are reviewed by DETE, EU Treaty Rights refusals are reviewed on form EUTR4, and many residence permission refusals in Ireland can be reviewed by ISD. The deadlines vary: 2 months for long stay visa appeals and residence permission reviews, 28 days for employment permit reviews and 15 working days for EU Treaty Rights reviews. A strong submission answers every refusal reason directly, explains why the decision should change and includes new or better evidence. Visa appeals are made by post, with a signed appeal letter giving the applicant's name, address, email and visa application number, and only one appeal is allowed per application: an unsuccessful appeal can't be appealed again. Visa appeals are free, and DETE doesn't list a fee for employment permit reviews. Decisions take time: in October 2026, DETE was deciding reviews received about 6 months earlier, and the Dublin Visa Office was deciding employment visa appeals received in January 2026. Sometimes a fresh application is faster or stronger than an appeal, so it's worth comparing the options before choosing.

Yes, and you usually should. Your appeal must explain why the decision should change, with evidence addressing each reason.

Yes. Sometimes a new application is faster or stronger. We'll advise you on the best route.

Only if your refusal letter tells you to.

You may be able to make a new application, and some decisions can be challenged in the courts with a solicitor. We'll explain your options.

We look at the refusal reasons, the deadline, the evidence available and the waiting times for each route, and recommend the one most likely to succeed.