Ireland suspends visa-free tra

Visa-free travel to Ireland from South Africa is set to be reinstated shortly. Image: Adobe Stock

Ireland suspends visa-free travel for South Africans indefinitely

In a blow to those planning trips to Ireland, the country has announced the ongoing suspension of visa-free travel for South Africans.

Ireland suspends visa-free tra

Visa-free travel to Ireland from South Africa is set to be reinstated shortly. Image: Adobe Stock

Those who were hoping to visit the only country in Western Europe that still allows entry to South Africans will be disappointed to learn that Ireland has put visa-free travel on ice.

The Irish government is indefinitely suspending visa-free entry to several nationalities, including South Africans.

VISA-FREE TRAVEL SUSPENDED FOR SEVERAL COUNTRIES

With mass vaccine campaigns being rolled out in most countries and summer being just around the corner in Europe, there was hope international travel would become possible again soon. 

Ireland, also known as the Republic of Ireland, has long been a favourite for South Africans due to its historical sites, unspoilt nature and warm hospitality.

Ireland ended visa-free travel from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and South Africa on 27 January due to the prevalence of new COVID-19 variants in these countries.

IRELAND’S MEASURES TO PROTECT PUBLIC

Irish Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, said the visa-free entry ban had been implemented to assist Irish authorities in regulating the movement of people into and out of the Republic of Ireland. McEntee said the decision to introduce the ban was based on advice from the country’s National Public Health Emergency Team.

The suspension of visa-free travel was “designed to support our current public health restrictions on movement, including into and out of Ireland”, McEntee said, as quoted in the Irish Times.

NO END TO VISA-FREE TRAVEL SUSPENSION

The previous suspension of the visa-free travel ban for nationals from perceived high-risk countries was due to end on 5 March. McEntee said she decided to extend the visa-free ban against South Africans and the relevant South American nationalities for as long as necessary.

McEntee said she had decided “to maintain these visa requirements after 5 March and until no longer needed for public health reasons”, as quoted in the Irish Times.

IRELAND MAY ADD FURTHER NATIONALITIES

The Irish government said it would suspend visa-free travel privileges for other nationalities outside of the European Economic Area if needed.

“Further visa requirements may be introduced to other non-EEA countries in the future, where they are deemed necessary and appropriate, to support public health measures approved by the government,” as quoted in the Irish Times.

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