Ireland
About
| Ireland is a country of great natural beauty, with its green blanket landscape, picturesque villages and lively cities. The pub is the centre of Irish social life, and there can be few things more enjoyable than drinking a pint of Guinness, one of the most famous, popular and distinctive drinks in the world. On 17 March, Ireland stops what it is doing, and parties, hard. St Patrick's Day, celebrating Ireland's principal Patron Saint, sees festivities around the world, and not content with merely one day, the St Patrick's Festival has commandeered six days of comedy, music, film and lots of fun in Ireland itself. Go bird-watching in a country famous for its variety of winged creatures. There are more than 70 reserves and sanctuaries in Ireland. Visit the Guinness Storehouse, part of the world-renowned brewery and Dublin's most visited attraction. It's an interesting tour and the free pint of perfectly kept stout in the rooftop. |
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| Official Name: | Republic of Ireland, although some official documents may simply refer to Ireland |
| Local Name: | Éire |
| Capital: | Dublin (DUB) |
| Currency: | Euro (EUR). In Northern Ireland, Pound Sterling is the official currency (GBP) |
| Language: | English and Irish (Gaeilge / Gaelic) |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 353 |
| Time Zones: | No UTC / GMT offset (2 hours behind South Africa) |
| Daylight Savings Time: | From last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Left |
| Best Time to Go: | May – September |
| Best for: | Guinness, Architecture through the Ages |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs are in use |
| Drinking Water: | 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. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services (usually in cash). Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. If you bring any medication on your travels it is best to bring it in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is (in generic names) and why you need it. Any controlled drugs and needles should be declared and explained in the letter. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies. Irish are down-to-earth and modest, often talking themselves down. Avoid discussing topics of politics and religion. |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Smoking is prohibited in public areas. |
| Duty Free: | Ireland is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. If you are travelling from within the EU, there is no limit on the amount or value of goods you may import, providing your goods are for personal consumption. Goods imported for commercial purposes are subject to duty and the following guideline amounts are in place to determine whether this is the case: • 800 cigarettes or 400 cigarillos or 200 cigars or 1kg of tobacco. • 10L of spirits over 22% volume, 20L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume, 90L of wine (no more than 60L of sparkling wine) and 110L of beer. However, you can only import up to 300 cigarettes from Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Romania. There is no limit on other tobacco products from these countries, provided they are for your own personal use. If you are arriving from a non-EU country, the following goods may be imported into Ireland by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco. • 4L of wine and 16L of beer and 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages less than 22% volume. • Other goods up to the value of €430 (reduced to €215 for children under 15). |
| Prohibited Imports: | Drugs, indecent or obscene goods, and certain foodstuffs. In addition, if arriving from outside the EU, you cannot import plants or bulbs, live or dead animals, poultry, birds or eggs, hay or straw, and meat and dairy products. To import firearms and ammunition, fireworks and explosives, or domestic pets, you must obtain a licence. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Ireland
2nd Floor, Building A, OMK House, 238 Florence Ribeiro Avenue, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Pretoria
Tel: 012 452 1000
Email: Pretoria@dfa.ie
Website: www.ireland.ie/southafrica
Mon - Thurs: 09:00-12:00
All visa applicants who are resident in South Africa should submit their application and their payment to VFS Global.
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Feb 3; Mar 17; Apr 21; May 5; Jun 2; Aug 4; Oct 27; Dec 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Feb 2; Mar 17; Apr 6; May 4; Jun 1; Aug 3; Oct 26; Dec 25-26
Visa Requirements
South African passport holders do require a visa for Ireland.
All applicants who are resident in South Africa should submit their application and their payment to VFS Global. This applies to South African citizens living in South Africa and citizens of other visa-required countries who are resident in South Africa. A short stay ‘C’ visit (tourist) visa allows you to travel to Ireland for up to 90 days for tourism.
VISA APPLICATION CENTRE: VFS Global
Tel: +27 (0)12 425 3050
Email: Info.IrlSA@vfsglobal.com
Web: https://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 APPLICATION PROCESS:
1. 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
2. Make an appointment at the visa application centre. Ensure that you have all the required documents as per the checklist on your online application.
3. 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
Refer to: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions. In general, 8 weeks.
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.
SA Representative
South African Embassy
6 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2, D 02W773
Tel: (00353-1) 661-5553
Email: Dublin.appointment@dirco.gov.za
Web: dirco1.azurewebsites.net/dublin/
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio |
