Ireland is considering revoking its visa-free travel attangements with South Africa.
South African passport holders have eased entry to over 100 countries. However, this may change if Ireland excludes SA from its visa-abolition agreements.
Ultimately, this is bad news for South African passport holders, who stand to lose a visa-free destination.
IRELAND VISA-FREE TRAVEL
In 2009, the United Kingdom introduced visa-requirements for South African passport holders.
It cited raised safety issues resulting from the misuse of South African passports.
The Republic of Ireland, however, did not end its visa-free entry scheme for South Africa.
Nonetheless, the privilege might end soon if Ireland revokes the visa-free entry arrangement.
VISA-FREE ENTRY FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Schengenvisainfo reports that Ireland will discuss ending its visa-free travel scheme with South Africa.
Ireland’s ministers will discuss axing the arrangement so Ireland can tighten up immigration.
Ireland’s Department of Justice says 198 asylum seekers arrived in Ireland on South African passports this year.
ASYLUM SEEKERS ENTER IRELAND
The scrapping of visa-free travel for South Africans comes after alleged abuse of the arrangement by individuals entering Ireland, seeking protection.
According to the Irish Times nationals of Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo are using South African passports to enter the country.
IRELAND TO SCRAP VISA-FREE ENTRY SCHEME
Ireland will consider implementing visa requirements for South African nationals to reduce the number of people applying for protection and asylum.
Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee stated that over 80% of international protection applicants entered the country through Northern Ireland.
This number represents over three percent of the country’s total asylum applicants in 2024.
CHOOSING IRELAND OVER UK
Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that the increase in asylum seekers heading to Ireland proves that Britain’s Rwanda plan is already working.
Britain’s prime minister says that the new Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act is already deterring migrants.
Irish deputy prime minister, Micheál Martin, said the threat of deportation to Rwanda led to people coming to the Republic of Ireland.