- Capital
- Dublin (DUB)
- Dialing Code
- + 353
- Time Zone
- No UTC / GMT offset
- Daylight Savings Time
- Last Sunday of March to last Sunday of October: UTC / GMT +1
- Language
- English & Irish (Gaeilge / Gaelic)
- Best Time to Go
- May - September
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
Travel Tips
- In Northern Ireland, Pound Sterling is the official currency (GBP)
- Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink, but there have been reports of unsafe mains water in some areas, where residents have been advised to boil water before use. Bottled water should be used until you are sure of the quality of water
Last updated 21 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Ireland
2nd Floor, Building A, OMK House, 238 Florence Ribeiro Avenue, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria
Telephone: 012 452 1000
Email: Pretoria@dfa.ie
Website: www.ireland.ie/southafrica
Monday - Thursday 09:00-12:00
Public Holidays
2026
January: 1
February: 2
March: 17
April: 6
May: 4
June: 1
August: 3
October: 26
December: 25 - 26
Visa Application Centre
All visa applicants who are resident in South Africa should submit their application and payment to VFS Global
VFS Global
Telephone: +27 (0)12 425 3050
Email: Info.IrlSA@vfsglobal.com
Website: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/irl/
Cape Town: 7th floor, on Long Building, 2 Long St, Cape Town City Centre
Johannesburg: Rivonia Blvd & Mutual Rd, Rivonia, Sandton
Pretoria: 316 Tram St, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Visa Requirements
Visa Application Process:
- Fill out the online visa application form: www.irishimmigration.ie. The completed form must be printed and brought with you to the visa application centre
- Make an appointment at the visa application centre. Ensure that you have all the required documents as per the checklist on your online application
- Visa fee may be paid at the visa application centre
Required Documents
- Printed online application and checklist
- Passport with 2 blank pages, valid for 6 months after planned return date
- Copy of your bio page, all visa and immigration stamps on all pages
- 2 passport-sized colour photographs of the visa applicant. The back of each photo must be signed by applicant and have your visa application number written. Do not attach the photograph to your application form
- Proof of sufficient funds (6 months bank statements). If trip is sponsored, then sponsor must provide proof of sufficient funds
- Employment letter and Salary Certificate
- Detailed application letter and travel itinerary
- Accommodation booking reservation(s) for the duration of stay
- Travel insurance is only required once the visa is granted, to be presented at border control
- Additional documents may be required according to purpose of visit.
Minors:
- A copy of the child’s passport and Birth Certificate.
- A copy of both parents/legal guardians’ passports and other official identity document containing their signatures.
- A letter of signed consent from parents/legal guardians allowing the child to travel to Ireland if travelling unaccompanied, if applicable.
- A letter of signed consent from the other parent/legal guardian allowing the child to travel to Ireland where only one parent/legal guardian is travelling, if applicable.
For detailed instructions on the required documents, visit: www.irishimmigration.ie
Visa Processing Time
Approximately 8 weeks
Refer to: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions
Visa Validity
Tourist Short-Stay: up to 90 days
Visa Cost
Single Visit: EUR60
Multiple Visits: EUR100
VFS Service Fee: EUR40
Visa Fees are non-refundable
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D 02W773
Telephone: (00353-1) 661-5553
Email: Dublin.appointment@dirco.gov.za
Website: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/dublin/