URGENT: What Does This Mean? C-Visa Application

My friend who is an army officer received this message from Embassy of Ireland and cannot understand what they mean. I don't understand either. Didn't know what to reply. He's was preparing to come to Ireland for two weeks visit before shortly before the outbreak of COVID-19. His visa application is still at the embassy though. If he consent to this email does it mean he has to start all over again and must submit all documents fresh again? Don't understand.

"Dear Sir/Ma,

Due to the ongoing public health issues with COVID-19, and the continued uncertainty in this State, a decision must be made regarding the continuation of your visa application.

To this end, and due to further travel and logistical issues, along with even greater public health issues, the most practical solution is for office to withdraw your visa application

Upon continuation of events as normal, and cessation of travel restrictions and limitations, you may consider applying again, and this withdrawal will not cause any negative impact on your immigration history in the State.

Please indicate that you accept this solution in the current instance. We require a response within 5 working days. Failure to respond may result in your application being refused.

Visa Office.

——

An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais

Department of Justice and Equality

All non-urgent visit visas are on hold at the moment until further notice. Therefore, the intended travel dates might no longer be applicable. Even if the visa does get issued, the applicant will not be able to use the visa to travel to Ireland. That's why they are asking your friend to withdraw the application.

And yes if the application is withdrawn, I guess your friend will need to submit a new application with new documents.

However, if he chooses not to withdraw the application, his application will still not be processed until the restrictions are lifted (which may still be months away). At that time, they will still have to ask him for new documents (new travel plans, bank statement, employment letter etc). They may even reject your friend's application outright if they think that your friend's personal circumstances have changed or the original travel plan is no longer valid.

It means what it says.

visit visas are not being processed. If its left, it will be processed eventually and will be refused because dates for the visit are long passed, and then the applicant will have a visa refusal on their record that they will have to declare when they are applying anywhere for a visa.
If they withdraw it, they will not have a refusal on their record, and therefore no negative immigration record.

Best to withdraw,

Failure to respond may result in your application being refused.

Withdraw now!

The email makes it clear: if you don't withdraw your application, you will get a refusal.

Withdrawn applications are as if they never existed. They won't go down into the immigration history. A refusal in other hand, is the worst thing that can happen as it creates a bias against future applications.