Irish Foreign Ministry Arvostelua 

From my experience (5.5 months and counting..) of applying for an Irish passport based on an Irish parent, the service is utterly, utterly appalling, to the extent that it should bring shame on the Irish civil service. I really hope someone there reads this. I am now on my 4th iteration of a target date passing by 2-3 weeks followed by a bizarre request for new documentation - first apparently the date was altered on a witness’ signature, then they needed my dad’s marriage certificate (what does it matter who my dad married if I’ve proved he’s my dad?!!). Now, apparently my headshot photo is too blurry, shadowy and poorly colour balanced (even though it is the same as used for my recently renewed UK passport and passed the online check way back in January). I made a complaint back in May and was told this is all perfectly normal. I’m really starting to believe that they’re sitting there thinking of new ways to delay the application - and I can’t understand why!! It’s cost me money and time gathering and sending what they need, not to mention the stress and me almost praying that planned work opportunities in the EU don’t materialise yet. I am just about exhausted with the whole thing.
If applications from non-Irish born individuals are low priority or even not welcome, just tell us or change the rules! At least we’d know where we stand.
This experience has stained my image of a country I love.

A First class Public Service [Passport Office Dublin]
The recent software issue resulted on 1 of our new passports needing immediate change - we were informed by email and a telephone contact number was given for urgent cases. We telephoned and a very polite friendly helpful Gentleman let us know they were opening especially on Sunday to facilitate clients travelling. Up early on Sunday and only 3 or 4 people there at 7.45 [we were keen Ha!]. At 9am there seemed to be about 40 or 50 people. Convivial wait chatting. At 9am doors opened and a number of extremely engaging empathetic members of staff very adeptly explained the process and invited us in - Every member of the passport team was helpful and approachable on a level that is rarely seen in even the most dynamic private sector companies. Superb, coordinated and professional response to the issue with a level of empathy evident from each and every member of their team (who remember were working an unscheduled Sunday) was palpable. Adrienne collected her Passport at 12pm ! We would also add that over recent years our family's experience of our Passport Service has been first class and really efficient.

Irish embassy in UAE the worst. Their vfs staff does not know what documents are needed due to which our visa was refused. They have online system so we don’t know if documents were uploaded properly. Our visa was refused saying incomplete file and then they said we could appeal. It’s been 3 months since appeal no response. Since the only way for appeal is through registered post. We don’t know what happened to our documents after that. Applying for a visa to this country is waste of time and money.

Irish living in uk renewed my passport online uploaded my photo my passport was in my possession in 8 days.
Very impressed with the service

I applied to renew my passport online yesterday. I keyed in the code for my photo from photo box and the photo was downloaded instantly. Answered a few more questions and received an email confirming my passport would be issued. I couldn't believe it when my passport arrived today. It took only 24 hours. Amazing fantastic service.

I have had 5 passports in the past with no problems, except for once a member of staff in the Cork office scratched a 'photo and then denied it, forcing me to make new 'photos. Now they have a new totally useless computerised online system. I applied in time before the old passport expired and they took my money but gave no passport! They had accepted my 'photo but a week later said it was no good. I submitted a total of 13 'photos -- most of which met the standard required for a passport 'photo but their computerised system and stupid staff refused all. Each time I tried to upload a new 'photo it would refuse it or not even allow me to get to the upload stage. Then their stupid system told me I had my name details wrong -- as if I do not even know my own name! Now they have my money and I have no passport and am stuck in a country and cannot officially move due to their gross incompetence.

Most efficient experience ever for passport renewal. Ordered a renewal passport online on a Monday which was a back holiday. I received it on the following Wednesday which meant it was processed in one working day. The online process was also very user friendly and easy. Well done DFA.

Shame on Ireland department of foreign affairs for using this awful VFS company in their country without reviewing service levels the WORST visa application service from Ireland.

The stress makes you suicidal not being able to secure a Schengen visa appointment for 6+ months!

All reviews are either 5* fake reviews,
or 1* GENUINELY REAL reviews.
I’m convinced all the 5* reviews are fake AI bots paid for by VFS to fix their reputation.

Impossible to get a Schengen appointment anywhere.
System doesn’t show you if any appointments available until you begin and then the eternally awful website kicks you out.
The Irish foreign ministry doesn’t care but they need to install a completely new visa system! VFS license should be revoked under the current process that has caused people so much frustration.

They treat visa applicants in a truly awful way. No embassy should use this terrible system because it reflects bad on their country. And Ireland is allowing this because foreign ministry doesn’t care.

I was applying for passport
online for my son and after trainee pharmacist instead what should be qualifyed pharmacist witnessed - sign my application, DFA rang me back and assured me that no need to pay extra moneys to speed up passport delivery(because of delay) as it will arrive shortly. Fair play to them as they saving on people's expenses as much they can. Thanks DFA 👍👍👍👍