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The Journal
7 days ago
- Business
- The Journal
Irish government watching J1 visa situation 'closely' but says applications are still open
THE DEPARTMENT OF Foreign Affairs has said that while it is 'aware of reports' that the US has instructed its diplomatic missions to pause appointments for interviews in certain visa categories, including J1 student visas, it understands that existing appointments in Ireland haven't been cancelled. A spokesperson told The Journal that it further understands that new J1 visa applications can still be submitted. They added that DFA officials have been in contact with the US embassy on this matter, in order to 'assess possible impact on our citizens, in particular on students planning to travel in the coming months.' 'We will continue to monitor this unfolding situation very closely,' the DFA spokesperson added. They further said that it is important to note that US immigration policy 'is a matter for the US authorities'. Roughly 5,000 Irish students avail of the J1 visa programme every summer. Speaking on RTÉ' Radio One's Morning Ireland this morning, Michael Doorley, the owner of the Sayit Travel agency, said that Irish students who have already received their J1 visas for the United States should not be impacted. Advertisement He added that he has spoken to students currently in the US, who haven't experienced any issues. Doorley said that 'practically all' of the students intending to travel to the US this summer are already through, so this pause on interviews won't have a big impact on students this year. It's been reported that US embassies around the world have been told that social media vetting for student and foreign exchange visa applicants will be ramped up. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that guidance is to be issued on the screening process, and that interviews should be halted until a review on how this process will work has been completed. Doorley today said that his travel agency is issuing advice to students for the first time about their social media use while in the US. He said that if students have a 'history on their mobile phones, of some, maybe, social activity that wouldn't please the American situation, just delete it or whatever.' Doorley added that students are vital to the tourism sector in many places in America and highly valued by employers. Trinity College said that it will be in contact with any students travelling to study in the US in the coming autumn, and will offer meetings with them to discuss any concerns they may have. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
The Journal
07-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Irish citizens warned to avoid travelling to areas of India and Pakistan
THE DEPARTMENT OF Foreign Affairs is warning Irish citizens not to travel to certain areas of India and Pakistan after India fired missiles into Pakistan last night. 'Following military activity by India and Pakistan on 6 and 7 May, Irish citizens are advised to exercise caution in public places, stay alert, monitor local news reports and to follow the advice of local authorities,' the department has said. 'India's military has stated that it has attacked several targets in the Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir regions of Pakistan on the night of May 7, with reports of a Pakistani military response into Indian territory. A state of emergency has subsequently been declared in the Punjab province of Pakistan,' it said. 'The security situation is tense and unpredictable.' Advertisement Travellers are being warned that flight delays and disruptions are likely, with Pakistan having temporarily closed its airspace. The government is advising Irish travellers to avoid staying near the border areas and to exercise caution. Travellers should stay up to date via the media, local authorities, and their hotel, travel agency or airline, and follow the instructions of the local authorities. It is advising against all travel: to the Kashmir region, to the province of Balochistan, to the border area between India and Pakistan and the Line of Control area; the Wagah border crossing is closed, the former FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), in the province of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa: the districts of Charsadda, Kohat, Tank, Bannu, Lakki, Dera Ismail Khan, Swat, Buner and Lower Dir in North Waziristan, Upper South and Lower South Waziristan, to the city of Peshawar and districts south of the city, including travel on the Peshawar to Chitral road via the Lowari Pass, on the Karakoram Highway between Islamabad and Gilgit. At least 26 people were killed by India's strikes last night. Pakistani officials said the strikes hit at least two sites previously tied to banned militant groups and India claimed to have destroyed 'nine terrorist camps' in strikes. India said it targeted infrastructure that was used by militants linked to the killings of tourists in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir last month. Related Reads Pakistan labels Indian missile strikes 'act of war' as 26 civilians reported dead Explainer: Violence in disputed Kashmir has long risked an all-out war between India and Pakistan At least seven civilians were killed in Indian-controlled parts of Kashmir by shelling from Pakistan, the Indian army said in a statement, and Pakistan says it shot down five Indian jets. Reacting to last night's airstrikes, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the 'deceitful enemy has carried out cowardly attacks' and that Pakistan would retaliate. 'Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
