Ireland: Visa-exempt Status Ceased for Nationals of Eswatini, Lesotho and Nauru
March 10, 2025
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At a Glance
- As of March 10, 2025, nationals of Eswatini, Lesotho and Nauru require a visa to enter Ireland for any travel purpose (including transit).
- Limited exceptions apply for certain travelers who made travel plans before March 10, 2025 and will arrive in Ireland on or before March 31, 2025.
The situation
Effective March 10, 2025, nationals of Eswatini, Lesotho and Nauru require a visa to enter Ireland for any travel purpose (including transit).
A closer look
- 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:
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- 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.
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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.
Impact
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.
Background
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.
Looking ahead
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.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
