South Africans require a visa to travel to Ireland as of 10 July 2024

South Africans will require a visa to travel to Ireland as of 10 July 2024. Flight Centre is actively engaging with the Irish embassy to help travellers navigate the new visa application process, and we’re committed to supporting our customers during this transition to minimise any disruptions to travel plans.

The important details:

- If you’re departing for Ireland on or after 10 July 2024, you MUST obtain a visa before you travel.
- If you booked your trip before 10 July 2024 and are travelling before 9 August 2024, you can still travel without a visa during the transitional period. However, you must have a valid passport and proof of an air ticket purchased directly from the airline (not a travel agent).
- The Irish government has set up a dedicated “South Africa desk” to process visa applications, and three Visa Application Centres (VACs) will be established across South Africa.
o After completing your online application, you'll receive a visa summary form with details on booking an appointment at a VAC to present your documents. Please note: No visa documents should be submitted by post or in person to the Irish Embassy in Pretoria.
o Details of VAC locations and appointment booking can be found here: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/irl/
o More detailed information on how to apply can be found at www.irishimmigration.ie.
- Diplomatic passport holders and those with valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards are exempt.
Please see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) obtained from the Irish Immigration website for answers to any other queries you may have. If you can’t find the answer to your question, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly for guidance.
Should you wish to make a change on a travel booking potentially impacted by the new Irish visa requirements for South African passport holders, please contact your dedicated travel expert for assistance.