Government to consider Ireland’s new visa rules for South Africa and Botswana

Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ronald Lamola. (Supplied/GCIS)

• Ireland has imposed a visa requirement on travellers from South Africa.
• South African citizens transiting through Ireland will also be required to have a transit visa.
• There will be high-level talks between the two governments to address the concerns expressed by the Irish people.

Minister for International Relations Ronald Lamola and his counterpart in the Home Office Leon Schreiber are discussing with the Irish Government the issue of Ireland’s newly introduced visa requirements for South African citizens.

Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced on Tuesday that citizens of South Africa and Botswana will need to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland.

The decision was made in response to the increase in the number of asylum seekers from both countries, which are considered safe and the only ones on the list that do not require a visa, the statement said.

“In recent years, a significant number of applications for international protection (asylum) have been received from citizens of Botswana and South Africa. Both countries are recognised as safe countries of origin for the purposes of international protection and are the only countries on that list that do not currently require a visa,” the Irish Department of Justice said in a statement.

McEntee said the decision had been carefully considered to align Ireland with South Africa’s Schengen approach, as well as the UK’s position.

Lamola’s spokesman, Crispin Phiri, told News24 that both the minister and Schreiber are aware of the matter and have spoken about it.

“Both Dirco (International Affairs) and Home Affairs will work with the Republic of Ireland to comprehensively resolve the issues raised,” he said.

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Dublin Visa Office will set up a dedicated SA office to process applications from SA citizens. Three visa application centres will also be set up in SA, managed by visa services provider VFS Global.