Ireland: New Visa Requirements Signed For South American and South African Passport Holders

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The new order came into effect at midnight on January 27, 2021. It introduces new visa requirements for passport holders from several countries in South America and South Africa. This step was taken as part of the government's fight against the pandemic.

 

“In addition to the new requirements above, we have also taken the decision to temporarily cease accepting new visa/preclearance applications. This is effective from close of business 29th of January 2021."

 

The government recommends no travel and recalls that it is currently prohibited by law for anyone (regardless of nationality or passport) to travel in Ireland for non-essential purposes. Travel is possible only if it is very necessary.

 

Applications will be resumed as soon as security concerns disappear. Certain priority/emergency requests will continue to process, including:

 

  • workers or self-employed persons in critical occupations, including medical workers, border workers, posted workers, and seasonal workers, as outlined in the Guidelines for Free Movement of Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak;

  • transporters or transport service providers, including truck drivers transporting goods for use on the territory, as well as those who simply transit;

  • patients traveling for urgent medical reasons;

  • schoolchildren, students and trainees who travel abroad on a daily basis, and third-country nationals traveling for the purpose of level 3 education;

  • persons traveling for pressing family or business reasons;

  • diplomats, employees of international organizations and persons invited by international organizations, whose physical presence is necessary for the proper functioning of these organizations, military personnel, and police officers, as well as employees of humanitarian organizations and civil protection personnel in the performance of their functions;

  • passengers on the way;

  • sailors;

  • journalists in the line of duty.

 

Beginning at midnight on January 27, 2021, in addition to countries that previously required a visa, passport holders of the following countries must now also apply for an entry or transit visa, as appropriate, prior to traveling to Ireland:

 

  • Argentina

  • Bolivia

  • Brazil

  • Chile

  • Colombia (now requires a transit visa - this country already has entry visa requirements)

  • Ecuador (now requires a transit visa - this country already has requirements for an entry visa)

  • Guyana

  • Paraguay

  • Peru (now requires a transit visa - this country already has requirements for an entry visa)

  • South Africa

  • Suriname (now requires a transit visa - this country already has entry visa requirements)

  • Uruguay

 

Source: inis.gov.ie

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