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?
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.
If you intend 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:
- De Facto Partner Visa
- Spouse/Civil Partner Visas
- Non-EEA Family Reunification
- Join Non-EEA Employment Permit Holder
- Child Dependant 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.
Residence permits for living in Ireland can be obtained
under the Immigrant Investor Programme. 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 Requirements
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 colour 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 authorised 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.
What Happens Once My Application Is Accepted?
After receiving your visa and entering Ireland, you may be
required to register your immigration. If you want to gain permanent residency
in Ireland, the registration date is crucial.
This is why it is critical to try
to register your immigration as soon as you arrive in Ireland.
The registration date begins the countdown to your 5-year
stay in the nation. The 5 years spent working in the country can be utilized to
qualify for permanent residency in Ireland.
After two years, if you work in the
technology sector or have a key skills employment visa, you may be eligible to
apply for permanent residency in Ireland.
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.