Where a foreign specialist professional or foreign senior professional has been approved for residence or permanent residence by the NIA, their lineal ascendants may apply to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or one of its overseas missions for a visitor visa, valid for one year, for multiple entry, for a stay of up to six months, without annotation of a restriction disallowing extension or other limitation. In case of a need to continue with the stay, then prior to the expiry of the term of stay, an application may be made to the NIA for an extension, without having to leave the State. The total length of each stay is limited to a maximum of one year.