Latest news with #Doorley
The Journal
28-05-2025
- 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
RTÉ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Current J1 visa holders should not be hit by US pause
Irish students who have already received their J1 visas for the US this summer should not be impacted by the pause scheduling new visa interviews for foreign students. Around 5,000 Irish students avail of the J1 initiative every summer. The owner of a travel company which specialises in student travel and visas said that very few students are at the beginning of their visa applications. Michael Doorley said his company, SAYIT Travel, has also spoken to students who are currently in the US and said they have experienced no problems travelling there. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said that "practically all the students who intend to travel to America are through, and very few are lined up to start their process. So it won't really affect very much of the Irish students this year." The Trump administration ordered US embassies around the world to pause scheduling new visa interviews for foreign students. The State Department instructed embassies abroad, including in Ireland, to halt student or exchange visitor visa appointments - such as for F, M and J visa programmes - until further guidance is issued. Students who have already scheduled their embassy interviews will be exempt from the pause. However, those applying in the coming days may experience a delay in the application process. Mr Doorley said it is not yet certain how the pause will affect students who might be planning to travel to the US in the autumn for undergraduate or post-graduate studies. He also said that for the first time his company is also including advisories for students about their social media use while in the US, following the advice already issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Last week, the Department of Foreign Affairs updated travel advice for Irish citizens visiting the US, warning of possible "serious consequences" for those who fail to cooperate with border officials or provide inaccurate information. Officials said that failure to adhere to immigration law could lead to refusal of entry at the border, detention and possible removal from the US. Mr Doorley said the news is "out there for students to understand if they have history on their mobile phones, of some maybe social activity that wouldn't please the American situation, just delete or whatever." He said students travelling to the US for summer work are vital for the tourist industry there, adding that he had met six representatives from New England yesterday, who told him how crucial the J1 students are for tourism.
