International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola. (Supplied/GCIS)
- Ireland has imposed visa requirements on South African travellers.
- A transit visa will also be required for South Africans transiting through Ireland.
- High level discussions will be held between the two governments to address the concerns raised by the Irish.
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola and his counterpart in home affairs, Leon Schreiber are tackling the newly imposed visa requirements by Ireland for South Africans with the Irish government.
The Irish Minister for Justice Helen McEntee on Tuesday announced that nationals from South Africa and Botswana would now be required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. The decision, according to a statement, was prompted by an increase in asylum seekers from both countries, both of which are designated safe and are the only countries on this list which do not have visa requirements.
“In recent years, a significant number of International Protection (asylum) applications have been received from nationals of Botswana and South Africa. Both countries are designated as safe countries of origin for International Protection purposes and are the only countries on that list which are not currently visa required,” the Irish justice department said in a statement.
McEntee said the decision was carefully considered to bring Ireland into closer alignment with the Schengen area’s approach to SA and also into line with the UK’s stance.
Lamola’s spokesman Crispin Phiri told News24 that the minister and Schreiber are both aware of the matter and have discussed it.
“Both Dirco (international relations) and home affairs will engage with the Republic of Ireland to comprehensively address the concerns raised,” he said.
The Dublin Visa Office will establish a dedicated SA desk to process applications from SA nationals. Three visa application centres will also be established in SA to be managed by visa service provider, VFS Global.
