Important Updates
Important Updates
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
September 4, 2025 | OmanOman: New Licensing Requirement for Select Roles 
September 4, 2025 | UgandaUganda/Mozambique: Visa Waiver Implemented
September 4, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Clarification on Costs That Can be Recouped from Sponsored Workers
September 4, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Issues Final Rule Adding Special Agents with New Law Enforcement Authority
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
September 4, 2025 | OmanOman: New Licensing Requirement for Select Roles 
September 4, 2025 | UgandaUganda/Mozambique: Visa Waiver Implemented
September 4, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Clarification on Costs That Can be Recouped from Sponsored Workers
September 4, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: USCIS Issues Final Rule Adding Special Agents with New Law Enforcement Authority
September 3, 2025 | GhanaGhana: National Petroleum Authority Letter Required for Some Petroleum Companies
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Ireland: Visa-exempt Status to Cease for Nationals of Botswana and South Africa

July 8, 2024

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • IrelandIreland

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • Effective July 10, 2024, nationals of Botswana and South Africa will no longer enjoy visa-exempt status in Ireland (whether for tourism or business travel) and instead will need to have a visa in order to enter the country for tourism, business, work or residence purposes, or for transit through the country.
  • The current standard government processing times for Irish employment and business visas is approximately two months.
  • Certain affected individuals will be able to take advantage of transitional arrangements.
  • Talent management teams should anticipate longer and more expensive onboarding processes for new Botswana and South African employees.

The situation

Effective July 10, 2024, nationals of Botswana and South Africa will no longer enjoy visa-exempt status in Ireland (whether for tourism or business travel) and instead will need to have a visa in order to enter the country for tourism, business, work or residence purposes, or for transit through the country.

A closer look

  • Visa processing times. The current standard government processing times for Irish employment and business visas is approximately two months.
  • Dedicated ‘South Africa’ desk. Irish authorities will establish a dedicated ‘South Africa desk’ for the processing of South African applications, while also establishing three visa application centres in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria.
  • Transitional arrangements. Affected individuals who had arranged travel plans to Ireland prior to July 10, 2024 and who will travel to Ireland before August 10, 2024 will be able to take advantage of transitional arrangements. The government has issued a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ document on the transitional arrangements.

Impact

  • Longer onboarding lead times. Given the added step of arranging a visa (which is separate from any employment permit application process), talent management teams should anticipate longer and more expensive onboarding processes for new Batswana and South African employees.
  • Labour market to be affected. This change is likely to affect many businesses in Ireland, with South African nationals in particular forming a core part of the country's foreign national labour market.

Background

  • Schengen Area, UK visa rule alignment. As with other recent restrictions on visa exemptions Irish authorities framed these reforms within broader efforts to better align with the visa rules of both the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom.
  • Increase in asylum claims. Irish authorities also situated this policy change within the context of an increase in asylum claims from Batswana and South African nationals.

Looking ahead

  • Reciprocal arrangements. Currently, Irish nationals can enter Botswana and South Africa without a visa for tourism and business, and there have been no announcements by either the Botswana or South Africa governments about altering these rules.
  • Transitional arrangements. The government will announce further details regarding the transitional arrangement in the near future, and has advised affected individuals to check the Irish government website for further information.
  • Reducing irregular migration. Through this and other rule changes, Irish authorities are broadly seeking to reduce irregular migration, including by designating countries as ‘safe’ for the purpose of asylum claims and increasing workplace inspections, among other efforts. In its announcements, the government has flagged further related efforts in the future.

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].

Country / Territory

  • IrelandIreland

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Blog post

Red Carpet or Red Tape? Indonesia’s Immigration Strategy After the Election

Assistant Business Immigration Manager Raga Rasuanta discusses Indonesia’s post-election immigration strategy and its shift toward balancing openness to global talent with increased regulatory scrutiny.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年8月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Center for Strategy and Applied Insights Names Leah Rogal Senior Director

Fragomen announces the appointment of Leah Rogal as Senior Director of its Center for Strategy and Applied Insights.

Learn more

Blog post

Moving to Saudi Arabia: How Orientation Programs Help Expats Adjust

Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar discusses how orientation programmes in Saudi Arabia help expatriates adapt to cultural differences, workplace norms and everyday challenges, easing their transition into a new environment.

Learn more

Blog post

Exploring Self-Sponsored Visa Pathways in the UAE

Manager Olga Astapova outlines options for individuals to obtain residency without employer sponsorship, highlighting legal routes and strategic considerations.

Learn more

Video

Ireland 2025 Submission Period Opens for Consultation on Occupation Lists | #MobilityMinute

Senior Manager Fatima Aydin discusses Ireland's 2025 public consultation on the occupations lists, and how stakeholders such as employers can provide input.

Learn more

Blog post

Swiss Immigration Quotas 2025: Mid-Year Update

Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines Switzerland's evolving immigration policies and quota adjustments for 2025.

Learn more

Video

German Citizenship by Descent Explained

Learn how to apply for German citizenship by descent. Discover eligibility under Article 116 and Section 15, benefits of EU citizenship and the step-by-step application process.

Learn more

Media mentions

Personnel Today: Immigration: Huge Fall in Health and Care Worker Visas

Partner Siobhan Owers discussed how visa reforms are reducing available international staff and creating workforce challenges in the UK care sector.

Learn more

Video

Dubai Introduces a ‘One Free Zone Passport’ – What It Is & How It’s Used | #MobilityMinute

Senior Corporate Services Manager Zak Hynes explores Dubai’s launch of the “One Freezone Passport."

Learn more

Video

Navigating Business Travel in Germany: Essential Insights | #MobilityMinute

Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler discusses how to navigate business travel in Germany.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris Named 2025 New England Legal Awards Finalists

Partners Molly Carey and Catherine Macris are finalists for the 2025 New England Legal Awards in the Partner of the Year and Regional Managing Partner of the Year categories.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.