An Irish visa is not required for a South African citizen to enter Ireland, but it is required to work, study, and naturalize in the country.
South Africans seeking to live and work in Ireland can apply for a variety of visas, including:
- Short Stay Visa
- Long Stay Visa
- General Employment Permit
- Sport and Cultural Employment Permit
- General Employment Permit
- Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permit
- Critical Skills Employment Permit
- Internship Employment Permit
- Contract for Services Employment Permit
Do South Africans need a Visa for Ireland?
A South African may need to obtain a work or employment permit to work in Ireland. This may necessitate people finding work before entering Ireland.
South Africans can apply for a Short Stay Visa to visit Ireland for up to three months.
End to stay in Ireland for more than three months (or ninety days), you must apply for a Long Stay Visa.
The Long Stay Visa is a popular choice for those who desire to work or reside in Ireland with family members who already live there.
South African citizens do not require a tourist visa to visit Ireland. The typical stay lasts 90 days. When applying for an Ireland tourist visa, applicants do not need to be present in Ireland.
How South Africans Can Visit Ireland without a Visa
The visa-free process for South African citizens consists of many steps that can be completed once you arrive in Ireland.
When you arrive in Ireland with all of the necessary paperwork, head to the Ireland immigration desk and submit your South African passport or travel documentation to the immigration officer.
If the officer determines that your documents match the entry requirements, you will receive an Ireland visa stamp in your passport, allowing you to stay in Ireland for the length indicated by the stamp.
It is not advisable to book flights or make hotel reservations until the visa has been approved. You should not put your money at risk by purchasing actual tickets until your visa decision is made.
If you have a family, you may want to look into family visa options:
- Ireland Marriage Visa
- De Facto Partner Visa
- Spouse/Civil Partner Visas
- Non-EEA Family Reunification
- Join Non-EEA Employment Permit Holder
- Child Dependent Visa Ireland
- Join Family Visa Ireland
If you have an EU/EEA citizen spouse, you may be allowed to avoid applying for a work permit and visa. You should be able to apply for a residency card based on your spouse’s presence and employment in the country. Dependent family members, such as children or spouses, may enter Ireland with a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder. Using this procedure, the spouse would be eligible to work in Ireland.
How South Africans Can Visit Ireland without a Visa
The visa-free process for South African citizens consists of many steps that can be completed once you arrive in Ireland.
When you arrive in Ireland with all of the necessary paperwork, head to the Ireland immigration desk and submit your South African passport or travel documentation to the immigration officer.
If the officer determines that your documents match the entry requirements, you will receive an Ireland visa stamp in your passport, allowing you to stay in Ireland for the length indicated by the stamp.
It is not advisable to book flights or make hotel reservations until the visa has been approved. You should not put your money at risk by purchasing actual tickets until your visa decision is made.
If you have a family, you may want to look into family visa options:
- Ireland Marriage Visa
- De Facto Partner Visa
- Spouse/Civil Partner Visas
- Non-EEA Family Reunification
- Join Non-EEA Employment Permit Holder
- Child De pendant Visa Ireland
- Join Family Visa Ireland
Residence permits for living in Ireland can be obtained under the Immigrant Investor Programmed. Those who choose this way to immigrate to Ireland may invest between 500 000 and 2 million euros as part of the process of obtaining residence cards through the program.
Ireland Tourist Visa Document Requirements
South African candidates for the Ireland Tourist Visa must provide the following documents:
Original South African passport or travel document valid for at least 6 months on the day of travel, with at least two visa pages free of any markings
Itinerary for travel (reservation to and from South Africa in your name)
Evidence that you have sufficient financial resources to stay in and leave Ireland
Document Employment Visa Require the following documents are necessary for an employment visa application to Ireland:
- Your current passport, as well as a complete copy of prior passports
- Two passport-sized color pictures
- A legitimate approval letter for an Atypical Working Scheme
- Evidence of your duties to return to your primary residential nation
- Documents about medical or travel insurance
- Data on previous visa denials to any country
- Qualifications evidence
- Permit for Employment from the Department of Trade, Enterprise, and Employment
- Letter of Employment from Employment in Ireland
- Application letter signed
For verification purposes, letters submitted by a firm, business, or other organization must be on official headed paper. The letters should look like this:
Full postal address
Full name
Website address
Telephone number (fixed line)
Email address
Name and title/position of the contact person
Signature of an authorized representative
What are the Fees and Processing Times for an Irish Visa?
Depending on the season, the processing time may change. The amount of applications is higher at certain times of the year than at others.
A decision is normally expected within 8 weeks of submitting an application to the consulate, visa office, or embassy.
In some cases, such as when the required supporting documents are not submitted or when the materials need to be validated, the application may be delayed.
Some candidates may be excluded from paying visa fees. Other applicants, on the other hand, may be required to pay the following fees:
€60 for a single entry, short-term ‘C’ visa.
€100 for a multiple-entry, short-term ‘C’ visa.
Employment permits can cost up to €250.
Visa applicants may face additional fees for various applications due to variables such as consular fees.
FAQS
How long can a South African stay in Ireland without a visa?
If you intend to stay in Ireland for longer than three months, you must apply for residence after arriving.
Do South Africans require a visa to enter Nigeria?
With a South African passport, you can easily enter Nigeria because you can apply for an eVisa for either tourist or business.
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