The holiday is over for visa-free travel to Ireland for citizens of South Africa and Botswana. In a shocking announcement by the government of Ireland — during the peak European summer —those with planned trips to the Emerald Isle were thrown into disarray.
New visa regulations announced
In a statement released on the 8th of July 2024, the Irish Immigration Service gave notice that from 10 July 2024, holders of South African and Botswanan passports will have to apply for a visa before travelling to Ireland. This sudden change has left many scrambling to adjust their travel plans.
Grace period for existing bookings
There’s a month-long “grace period” for travellers with existing plans to travel to Ireland before 10 August 2024. Travellers must support their plans with proof of their paid-for flights and a valid passport, which must be produced if requested by a carrier or an immigration officer. However, those who booked before 10 July 2024 but are only travelling to Ireland after 9 August 2024 will still need a visa. Additionally, anyone who has booked a trip to Ireland after 10 July also needs a visa, even if they plan to travel before 10 August.
Official statements and responses
Irish Ambassador Austin Gormley explained the updated regulations on social media. He said the new requirements align with the Schengen area and the UK, and that Ireland will continue to facilitate legitimate travel to the country.
“Ireland, of course, enjoys very strong politics in Africa, including political, economic, people-to-people and, of course, sport. Not least, probably, this will not change,” said Gormley.
Evan Cunningham, the Consul for the Embassy of Ireland, told Daily Maverick that the government regularly reviewed visa policy, and in this instance, the change aligns Ireland with the UK and the European Union. Cunningham emphasised that the Department of Justice has contracted VFS to operate three Visa Application Centres in South Africa (Pretoria, Johannesburg, and Cape Town), which will start accepting visa applications from South African nationals from Wednesday, 10 July.
Impact on travellers and travel agents
The new visa requirements have left travellers scrambling to adjust their travel plans. South African travel agents are less than happy with the abrupt decision. The Association of South African Travel Agents (Asata) expressed frustration, saying although the change had been under consideration for some time, “the sudden implementation has caught many travel agents and travellers off guard.” Asata CEO Otto de Vries mentioned that while they understood the need for governments to review and adjust immigration policies, the “lack of notice and immediate implementation of this decision is regrettable.”
“Ireland has long been a favoured destination for South Africans, and this change will undoubtedly impact travel between our two nations,” de Vries said. Travellers with existing bookings now face uncertainty and potential disruptions to their trips. Planning future holidays in Ireland has also become more complex due to the added layer of securing a visa and the associated costs.
Travel industry reactions to no more visa-free travel to Ireland
The Flight Centre travel group is also unhappy with the development. Lynette Machiri, customer experience leader at Flight Centre South Africa, said they were engaging with the Irish embassy to gather the latest information and provide clarity to their customers.
“We understand that many travellers may be worried about potential disruptions to their trips, especially with the tight turnaround time for visa applications,” said Machiri. Unfortunately, some carriers have indicated they are unlikely to offer waivers, further underscoring the need for swift action. We are here to assist in every way possible to minimise the impact on our customers’ travel plans.
Assistance with visa applications
For those navigating the new visa requirements, Apostil.co.za can help South Africans with applying for their Irish visas. We provide assistance to ensure the process is as smooth as possible, helping travellers secure the necessary documentation to visit Ireland.
In conclusion, the sudden change in visa regulations for South African and Botswanan citizens travelling to Ireland has created significant disruption. However, with the right support and planning, travellers can still enjoy their trips to the Emerald Isle.
