Ireland Visa requirement for SA and Botswana

As of July 10, 2024, nationals of South Africa and Botswana are required to obtain a visa before traveling to Ireland. Additionally, a transit visa will be necessary if they intend to transit through Ireland en route to another destination.

This decision aligns Ireland more closely with the Schengen area and the UK regarding these countries. The Dublin visa office will establish a dedicated desk to process applications from South African passport holders, and three visa application centers will be set up in South Africa.

Ireland is also tightening its border management to address illegal entry. Other nationalities requiring visas for travel to Ireland include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Belarus, Egypt, India, Jamaica, Nigeria, China, Qatar, Rwanda, Thailand, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe12.