Ireland: do South Africans need a visa?

Tourism, visiting family/friends, short business, marriage, medical treatment, short study (each has its own 'C' visa sub-type on irishimmigration.ie). No work.3

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Ireland.3

Confirmed on an official government source

Complete the online application (AVATS, visas.inis.gov.ie), print/sign the summary, then submit passport, documents and fee within 30 days via VFS Global in South Africa. Fee: EUR 60 single entry, EUR 100 multiple entry, EUR 25 transit (non-refundable; VFS service charge extra). Apply about 3 months before travel; processing approx. 8 weeks. Do not buy tickets before a decision.356

Confirmed on an official government source

VFS Global Ireland visa application centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town (opened 10 July 2024). The Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria directs all South African residents to VFS. No Durban centre found.67

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel/medical insurance is required: Ireland says if your visa is approved you must get travel insurance before you travel, and it may be checked at the border. No minimum cover published.34

Confirmed on an official government source

Not required at application (Ireland advises not to buy tickets until the visa is decided); show return travel plans. Border officers may ask for return ticket.3

Confirmed on an official government source

6 months of bank statements; no fixed minimum, assessed case by case. Sponsor's financial documents if sponsored.39

Confirmed on an official government source

Printed hotel/accommodation confirmations showing dates, or evidence from the host (invitation letter and their residency status) when staying with family/friends.9

Confirmed on an official government source

None required by Ireland. Not a yellow fever risk country.

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

No arrival form. Present passport, visa and supporting documents to an immigration officer, who grants the period of stay. A visa is not a guarantee of entry.36

Confirmed on an official government source

Visitors are generally not able to extend beyond 90 days; must leave before the stamped date. Overstaying can lead to removal and future refusal.

Not yet confirmed by an official source

South Africans are on the transit visa list (EUR 25). At Dublin, a transit visa is enough only if both flights are in Terminal 2 between 04:00 and 20:00 on the same day; otherwise you need a full entry visa. A UK visa does NOT let South Africans enter Ireland: the Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme and the British Irish Visa Scheme do not include South Africa (BIVS: Indian and Chinese nationals only).21011

Confirmed on an official government source

Applications for under-18s must be made by a parent/guardian; the visa states whether the child travels accompanied or unaccompanied. Include birth certificate and parental consent where one parent or neither is travelling. South Africa's own exit rules for minors apply separately.3

Confirmed on an official government source