SA loses visa-free travel to Ireland
As of today, South Africans travelling to Ireland on holiday, business or to study must apply for tourist visas as they would for any destination in the Schengen region or the United Kingdom. This means travellers from South Africa and Botswana, once exempt from this formality, must now make appointments via a local agency, submit comprehensive paperwork, and pay fees to both the agency and the Irish consulate. Journalist Andrew Thompson unpacks this.
Tune into Newzroom Afrika DStv channel 405 for more.
Пікірлер: 189
Well done Ireland! - Maybe South Africa should wake up and also be tougher on granting visas to just anyone!
@nondyebolutweyi5989
16 күн бұрын
It's true
@faithnaidoo7647
6 күн бұрын
VISAS.😂😂
Andrew why bother coming onto the news when you not prepared to tell the truth and be wishy washy. . It was in the Irish newspapers that Zimbabweans and Congolese claimed asylum after coming into Ireland on South African passports. Did he think people were never going to know the real reason. They do this in England as well. If this Home Minister wanted to deal with the corrupt officials, speak to Ireland and get those passports, check when it was issued and by whom.
@mvubu6823
16 күн бұрын
But he says EXACTLY that. Easy access to South Africa and Easy access to our passport. 🤦♂️
@godsmessenger4676
16 күн бұрын
Makadhakwa imi mukoma
@tshidioageng6918
16 күн бұрын
It's you who is drugs you people are horrible you ruined our passports @@godsmessenger4676
@Babazulu
16 күн бұрын
The the current da minister’s fault
@mayafi577
16 күн бұрын
But yet you are not happy still after they change a home affairs minister. Seems like you don’t know what you want even though those foreigners leave, SA will still be the same with more crimes and fraud
Meanwhile, the whole world can come to South Africa visa-free, no questions asked. It's about time we introduced a reciprocal visa policy, like Namibia and Brazil are doing.
@sicko_the_ew
16 күн бұрын
Brilliant idea. Lets drive away as many tourists and investors as we can, just to play tit for tat like children. Isn't a better idea to fix the problems that have led to our loss of travel privileges over the years, instead? I wonder whether we had an open policy toward the UK, for instance, in the few years in which we had visa free access to that country, and even qualified for things like "working holiday visas"? Maybe, but it's quite possible it was more difficult to move from there to here than it was, from here to there. I very much doubt it was a tit for tat measure (or quid pro quo, I suppose). It was more like a welcome mat. And it got rolled up and sent to the dry cleaners when our response was to squat and pee on it.
@jw841
16 күн бұрын
@@sicko_the_ewTourism only benefits capetonians and luxury safari parks. The average person in South Africa sees almost no tourists or benefits from tourism.
@lm_b5080
16 күн бұрын
@@jw841 nonsense. tourism is a massive boost for our collective taxes
@marcanthonyfranz
16 күн бұрын
@@sicko_the_ew So, we should be a free-for-all, just letting everyone in and accepting that we’ll be stuck with a crappy passport that can't go anywhere? How has that worked out so far? Visas don't seem to stop us from traveling to these countries for vacations, despite them being a hassle. I doubt they’ll stop people from visiting SA, especially if it's an eVisa. A simple online application and pay-on-arrival process wouldn't drive tourists and investors away.
@jw841
16 күн бұрын
@@lm_b5080 Yes for the rich. I travel all over South Africa. It only benefits a few in a few areas. Hasn't effect the unemployment rate at all.
SA also had visa free travel to UK but that had changed some years ago. It was because the SA passport was easily obtained by criminals.
@Ritesh-yy1zr
16 күн бұрын
True, I mean any Tom, d**k and Harry will anything here in SA
@rabbinick8989
16 күн бұрын
That's the narrative/ scapegoat. Western countries do this when they see sharp increase of tourist they find ways to implement Visa to add in their revenue
@bernelollab
16 күн бұрын
@@rabbinick8989true that
@bluepearlagain
16 күн бұрын
@@rabbinick8989this is true. There was never going to be a Europe open to Africans. The world just got very globalized - airlines spiked in numbers and got cheaper. Flying years ago was such an ambitious idea now it’s a click away with many options. There is no way Africans we’re welcome to that. Black South Africans weren’t even allowed to move around in SA - remember the dompass?? You weren’t allowed to be in certain areas. There is just NO WAY far-right Europe today would there be a world of them welcoming Africans with open arms especially when so many have so many reasons to leave Africa (and high is why so many decided to fake the SA passport).
@bluepearlagain
16 күн бұрын
Side note: I lived in Europe for over 24 years and they NEVER they never wanted Africans even then.
ANC DESTROYED EVERYTHING THEY TOUCHED
@JaphtaKhoza-hq9um
16 күн бұрын
Yes Destroyed White minority rule and privileges
I read an article about this last year. They quite literally said that our travel documents were being used by other African countries such as Zimbabwe, Nigeria & Congo. Don't beat about the bush!
Other African countries come to South Africa get are passport then travel there people per ple use us
@sekatimangena2671
16 күн бұрын
Eish its affecting us badly....
@mayafi577
16 күн бұрын
There is more foreigners getting American passport never put American down why your failure always is from foreigners?
@Peachcobler22
16 күн бұрын
Yep, the irony is ordinary SAs have been complaining about a lot of wrong things done by migrants. But the stance was always to dismiss and label everything as xenophobic. Now literally everything is caving in and our politicians and institutions are acting surprised. Only now that the rot and its adverse effects have set in they want to take action.
South Africa should adopt the Reciprocity Policy which Namibian recently adopted. This visa inequality is unacceptable.
@mariahkamogelomoloisane6276
16 күн бұрын
It is not that easy, we need their dollars to create revenue and jobs in the tourism industry.
@Peachcobler22
16 күн бұрын
I honestly dont agree with this. SA relies heavily on international tourism and as such wants to make it as easy as possible for internationals to choose us as a holiday destination. The problem here is that SA has a known problem of mainly African migrants using our passport to travel to overseas countries and then overstaying and abusing the asylum systems. From Zim to Nigeria to Congo even Pakistan. This is why England also previously introduced Visa requirements, so, I'm not surprised Ireland followed suit.
@OnicaMakwakwa
14 күн бұрын
@@Peachcobler22 so you think imposing even a $10 visa on arrival requirement would stop a tourist who pays $25 to enter Rwanda? They need to contribute to related public intrastate such as airports, Gautrain etc and not just to the wealth of private tour operators. Won’t even mention how untransformed that sector is!
@OnicaMakwakwa
14 күн бұрын
@@Peachcobler22 would also be Iwould be interesting to study how Ghana’s $150 visa on arrival has “deterred “ visitors at the height of their tourism boom.
Good. Under the circumstances, they have no choice. Thanks ex Minister Motsoaledi and the ANC. You caused this.
@Babazulu
16 күн бұрын
No it’s the current minister’s inexperience of being unable to negotiate his diplomatic relations 😅
@harley1450ification
16 күн бұрын
@@Babazulu BS. The Irish decision to implement a visa has been in the pipeline long before elections. This info from my nephew in Ireland.
@Babazulu
16 күн бұрын
@@harley1450ification what's the use of having a white home affairs minister?
@harley1450ification
16 күн бұрын
@@Babazulu Most of us, our psyche has transformed many decades ago. Yours is archaic. Think about it. See if you can be the change you want to see.
@Babazulu
16 күн бұрын
@@harley1450ification he’s not able to have talks with his brother in Ireland to resolve it?
Well Duh! Even I am south African and I understand. We deserve it.
Why because the Springboks WON them.....LOL
@Tinker8531
16 күн бұрын
Nothing to do with that, it was persons from other countries claiming asylum as South africans.
@yr2180
16 күн бұрын
😂
@chantellgermain833
16 күн бұрын
@@Tinker8531 If that truly is the case, then the blame falls on Ireland to follow up their due diligence prior to granting asylum status.
@yermanoffthetelly
15 күн бұрын
@@chantellgermain833But they are doing their due diligence, they are finding bogus asylum seekers are using South African passports to get to Ireland. It's South Africa that needs to tighten up on who gets a passport.
San home affairs has failed us lot foreigners obtain IDs n passports fraudulently helped by our officials😢 to go overseas to do their shady businesses
@Ritesh-yy1zr
16 күн бұрын
ANC buddy
I love this.
So we beat them on rugby 🏉 and now we get removed from the free visa travel?🤣🤣 On a serious note, no South African and Motswana will apply for an asylum successfully.
@Tinker8531
16 күн бұрын
It never was South Africans or Botswana nationals claiming asylum, it was Congolese and Zimbabweans using SA passports. happens all the time here in England as well. They don't succeed and usually they get caught quick about their true nationality.
@KD-us9jm
16 күн бұрын
@@Tinker8531 If that's the case , why has Botswana been included ? are they catching the strays ?
@brendonmartin9737
16 күн бұрын
@@KD-us9jm I know people from Botswana who have claimed asylum in England 🏴 and they’re not from other countries. Their actually Tswana nationals 😢
@KD-us9jm
16 күн бұрын
@@brendonmartin9737 But @Tinker8531 is saying it's never Tswana people , it's nationals from other African countries?
@barrydonnelly6514
14 күн бұрын
If you let Ireland win the test series you can have free visa's 🏉 💳
More countries will follow Ireland suit. South Africans with names like "Abdul" or "Okeke" were popping up in Ireland and exploiting the no visa policy to illigaly migrate.
@Darphur
11 күн бұрын
😂😂😂😂 how sure are you? Get your facts right
@mabhodlelajj1195
11 күн бұрын
@@Darphur what's funny, kwere creature 🙄
I don't know what this "ease of access" is. I've heard of people encountering endless obstacles, trying to get residence here (and this is spouses of SA nationals). Admittedly that was a few years ago, so things might've changed, but the last time I heard, for anyone doing things the honest way, this is a very difficult country to move to, in general.
@leeleec8490
16 күн бұрын
Yes, it is difficult for those doing it the legal way.
@Ritesh-yy1zr
16 күн бұрын
Only way it works is through Bribes. They love easy money
@6lackjesus719
16 күн бұрын
Good. I hope it remains difficult because it's nonsense. Bogus asylum seekers from pakistan come here and exploit poor people. Pay them R300 pm for a fake marriage to get residence. Systems must stay in place.
Let them also apply for Visas when coming over here.
@Peachcobler22
16 күн бұрын
This is an emotive response, overlooking the actual problem that SA has with regard to its passport. There are a lot of imposters using fraudulent SA passports to travel overseas that have spoiled it for us. Dont be mad at Ireland for doing what SA failed to do, namely, securing its borders and protecting citizens.
I think it's a good move because some foreign people were abusing South African Passports:: to those receiving countries
Good taste of own medicine😅😅
The time for poor governance is OVER... its costing us opportunities 🤞🔥
Namibia learned from Zimbabwe since it’s been dealing with non-reciprocal countries for decades, it’s about time South Africa and Botswana does the same
Reciprocate
@LukeRev480
16 күн бұрын
Yes!
@baldwintheanchorite
16 күн бұрын
Couldn't agree more.
Lol.. We dont CARE😂😅
That’s what you get for hammering our rugby team in Versfeld stadium 😅
This is wild why Ireland mad that Springboks beat them this makes no sense 🤔🤔🤔
@Trueghh
15 күн бұрын
😂😂 grow up lad Africans are using this passport for free travel non south africans also use it to seek in as south africans Abuse the right to a visa and you lose the visa.
The main reason is that Ireland is full!
The guest's lighting game is dope 👌🏽 I'm tempted to say better than studio lighting
Once again SA botched up ...we were visa free UK too a few yrs back. We just had to put in paperwork for our immigration strategy
Ireland is an important country and widely regarded as a major tax haven for low corporate tax rates you can see this in their high per capita stats, this needs to be sorted we need to move west because that is best, for us and for all...😁
@rabbinick8989
16 күн бұрын
Ohw rubbish😂
@icno123
16 күн бұрын
@@rabbinick8989 Look at all countries that are moving east or are already alligned with that, they are never prosperous or democratic...
minister of home affair will rescue us 🤣🤣
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
For the people saying it's because foreigners are acquiring and using the S.A passport, how is that possible? Because to apply for a S.A passport you need to provide a S.A ID, and before leaving the country the legitimacy of the passport is checked, so what makes ya'll say it's because of foreigners?
@zulub.r.u.h7846
16 күн бұрын
Do you know how corrupt Home Affairs in SA is? Look up how many officials get arrested and serve jail time (only recently) Asylum seeking SAns or Batswana does not make any logical sense. To Ireland even? That's defintely not a SAn trait. We do things by the book here when we travel, if ever. Those of us who break the law in other countries deserve to do serious jail time.
Most of u commenting don't even have a passport.. no border between Ireland and Northern Ireland (uk) for which we need a visa 😉 therfore illegal movements very possible by South Africans..think before u type 😂
This is a small issue, DA will help sort this one out,
@User-.-_007-s
16 күн бұрын
Clever kwerekwere wanting black and white to fight while you destroy Sa with crime and theft
@Tinker8531
16 күн бұрын
SA and Botswana is banned because Zimbos and Congolese used fake passports from South Africa and Botswana and claim asylum in Ireland. DA cannot clean up Zimbabwean mess..
@RINASZ
16 күн бұрын
Your poor country will sort it out. Why do you want our minister to do that stupid kwerekwere lasezimbabwe
@truth-Hurts375
16 күн бұрын
@@RINASZDom Doos !!! What part of a Leagal Immigrant is it you don't understand ????
@fullmetaltheorist
16 күн бұрын
Hayi shut up. We need to stop giving citizenship to anyone who is not South African by blood.
This is sad. It's such a pity for those who come on holidays, business or family visits. As an Irish citizen i feel for those who have to go through time consuming paperwork. I really hope it can be reversed.❤
Noooooo
Does this apply to the Republic of Ireland?
Make them pay Springboks 🥋
Give us your rugby world cups. We'll give you free visa access, lol
We make it easy for them to visit Africa and yet they make it hard for us to travel that side 😢
South Africa must also remove visa free for ireland. nambia has removed visa free for all over seas countries
@Kaylor_Ryan
15 күн бұрын
Who wants to go to South Africa? 😵
I mean Ireland is a lovely country. I really enjoyed working there and being a tourist there. I would recommend it to anyone but it doesn't have much to offer really and wouldn't be worth a whole visa to visit.
Batho ba batsho ha ba fofe kae kapa kae. leha ho le joalo ho na le eng moo? afrika borwa ke moo e leng teng.naha ea Amamenemene , motse-moholo oa tantši lefatšeng ka bophara. Anyway Afternoon Sqwiza, A re eeng Ireland ho ea nyalana 😂❤ Motho waka
Ha ha !!! And Ireland is part of BRICKS !!!
@user-kk4lw4mr6i
16 күн бұрын
So ? They were an outlier, whole of Europe didnt even do this...
The worse things get in SA the more important it is that places like Ireland protect their sovereignty by imposing travel restrictions so they are not overwhelmed with people from here fleeing SA
@Paperscissor183
16 күн бұрын
Majority are criminals from Zim and Nigeria
Rugby diplomacy. They can't stand the bomb squad
@richardchaupe7231
16 күн бұрын
😂😂😂
Every country must follow this route, so the criminals abusing our passports have no incentive. Our government is not doing anything to safe guard this country, it's has become a play ground for everyone, thanks to the ANC
I don’t have stats but id think more Irish people would want to travel to Kruger and Cape Town as compared to South Africans going to Ireland, only English South Africans will be affected as they might have family
@IRISHATLANTIC
14 күн бұрын
Ireland has lots of South African immigrants, from all backgrounds. Ireland is a very popular destination for both migration and tourism. Ireland is affluent, beautiful, and it is ranked near the top for safety and quality of life.
Lol as if anyone would want to leave S.A & go to Ireland 😂😂😂😂😂
@nevillepieterse9983
16 күн бұрын
As a saffa staying in uk , there are loads of spa’s in Ireland lol
@harley1450ification
16 күн бұрын
Ireland is an incredibly beautiful country.
@fullmetaltheorist
16 күн бұрын
For holidays at least.
@MetaphysicalExplorations
16 күн бұрын
I loved living in Ireland it's beautiful just very expensive.
@mrmanq9517
16 күн бұрын
Tell us you are an idiot without saying it 😂 Goodluck to your kids, the world is global
What’s the use of having a white foreign minister😅
@luciatheron1621
16 күн бұрын
What are you on about? The minister just started....got a lot to clean up right?
@Babazulu
16 күн бұрын
@@luciatheron1621 nah he’s inexperienced. He should be deputy minister
Ireland is could be copying from Gayton Mckenzie and PA.
@User-.-_007-s
16 күн бұрын
Small thinking zimbabweans thats why you chased farmers and are starving now running to Sa like rats
@tracychoolan9812
16 күн бұрын
You REALLY DON'T get tired...Leave Gayton MacKenzie alone...you need ro Voetsek home,you have NO say here🪰
@harley1450ification
16 күн бұрын
@@tracychoolan9812 ignore James, his comments mean nothing.
@conceretejungle1150
16 күн бұрын
Yes that xenophob Gayton😮
@nondyebolutweyi5989
16 күн бұрын
National foreigners learn from Kenyan people fighting for their rights in the country Go back to your countries fight for your rights leave South Africa alone. Go and fix your countries . South Africa is not xenophobic the problem you don't want to hear the truth when speak against illegally national foreigners coming in our country, selling drugs, human trafficking, stilling cables, selling expired food that killed innocent kids , stilling cars. One day you will pay for your sins if not your children will pay for sins.
We don’t want to go to Ireland anyway
@mrmanq9517
16 күн бұрын
You don't, speak for yourself We want to earn in Euros😂
@Trueghh
15 күн бұрын
To be honest we don't want white south africans at all we don't like ye we like the black ones But we got rid of it because other oficans use be sa passport to get into ireland
@IRISHATLANTIC
14 күн бұрын
Your rugby players do. 😂
The Springboks effect!
then maybe South Africa and Botswana should copy from their neighbour Namibia and exercise reciprocity to Ireland...
@Gustavo-x4
16 күн бұрын
Zimbabwe has been doing what Namibia recently implemented for decades