Studying Abroad in Ireland: Here’s What You Need to Know

From 10 July 2024, South African and Botswana passport holders will need to meet Irish visa requirements, meaning they will need to obtain an Irish visa before travelling to Ireland. Below are questions and answers from the Irish Immigration Service.

Q1. I am a national of South Africa or Botswana. I have booked travel to Ireland before 10 July 2024 and expect to arrive in Ireland before 10 August 2024. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland? A: As your travel plans fall within the transitional arrangements, you will be able to travel to Ireland without a visa during this period. However, you must remember to carry proof of your flight reservation (booked before 10 July 2024) so ​​that you can show this to the carrier or Irish border officer if requested. The normal immigration rules that apply to non-nationals seeking to enter Ireland will apply to anyone taking advantage of the transitional arrangements.

Q2. I am a South African or Botswana national who booked a flight to Ireland on 10 July 2024, which is the date my visa becomes effective. I plan to travel to Ireland before 10 August 2024. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland? A: Yes. As you did not book your flight before 10 July 2024, you will need a visa to travel to Ireland.

Q3. I am a South African or Botswana national. I have a flight booked before 10 July 2024 and intend to travel to Ireland after 9 August 2024. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland? A: Yes. The transitional arrangements only apply to customers who booked their flights before 10 July and are travelling to Ireland before 10 August 2024. As you will be arriving in Ireland after this date, you will need a visa.

Q4. I am a South African or Botswana national. I have not booked any flights or hotels to Ireland but I would like to travel to Ireland in July/August 2024. Do I need a visa to travel to Ireland? A: Yes. The transitional arrangements only apply to customers who booked flights to Ireland before 10 July and plan to arrive in Ireland before 10 August 2024.

Q5. I am a South African or Botswana national. I have a flight booked before 10 July 2024 to a destination outside Ireland. However, as part of that journey, I need to transit through Ireland on the way to my final destination. Do I need an Irish transit visa? A: As your travel plans fall under transitional arrangements, you do not need an Irish transit visa to travel. Please remember to bring proof of your flight reservation (booked before 10 July 2024) so ​​that you can show it to your airline or Irish border officials if requested. More information about transit visas.

Q6. I am a South African/Botswana national. I have a flight booked to a destination other than Ireland after 10 July 2024. As part of that journey, I need to transit through Ireland on the way to my final destination. Do I need an Irish transit visa? A: Yes. Transitional arrangements only apply to customers who booked flights to Ireland before 10 July and will arrive in Ireland before 10 August 2024.

Q7. I am a national of South Africa or Botswana. I have a valid IRP (Irish Residence Permit) card. How do these transitional arrangements or visa requirements affect me? A: If you hold a valid IRP card, you do not need to apply for a visa as long as your IRP card is valid when you travel to Ireland.

Q8. I am not a South African or Botswana national but I live in South Africa or Botswana. Do I need a visa to come to Ireland? A: The transitional arrangements mentioned in the notice only apply to nationals of South Africa or Botswana.