Ireland: Visa-exempt Status Ceased for Nationals of Eswatini, Lesotho and Nauru

• Transitional exceptions. Affected nationals who made travel plans before March 10, 2025 and will arrive in Ireland on or before March 31, 2025, may apply to travel to Ireland without a visa under certain exceptional circumstances, including:
  • • commencing university education;
    • commencing work with an Employment Permit;
    • business travel;
    • significant family events (for instance, births, weddings, or funerals); and
    • urgent healthcare events for family members.

In all instances, travelers must provide authorities with evidence of the exceptional circumstances and of a valid booking and payment for the relevant travel. Affected applicants should contact their immigration professional for instructions on how to contact authorities.

Previously, nationals of these countries could travel to Ireland without a visa. While an employment permit or other work authorization was always required to work in Ireland, nationals of these countries must now take the extra step of obtaining a visa prior to travel for work, business or leisure.

While the government has not explained the rationale for this new rule, the change in relation to Eswatini and Lesotho follows a similar change for the neighboring countries of South Africa and Botswana last year. This change brings all these countries in line with similar requirements in the Schengen Area.

Ireland’s government has adopted an increasingly strict approach to immigration matters, and while further new visa requirements have not been announced, they remain a possibility. We will monitor for related developments.