Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2026
225. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a South African national who is legally a resident of Spain is allowed to travel to Ireland using their residency permit or must they apply for a holiday visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13159/26]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that South African nationals are visa required and must have a valid Irish entry visa before they seek to enter the State.
Ireland is not part of the Schengen area and operates its own visa system. Accordingly, holding a residence permit issued by another State, including a Schengen State such as Spain, does not remove the requirement for a visa-required national to obtain an Irish visa.
A South African national who intends to travel to Ireland for a short stay of up to 90 days, including for tourism or holiday purposes, must apply for a Short Stay 'C' visa.
Further information on visit visas and the application process is available at:
www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-visit-ireland/
Any person that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at:
www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx
A visa required national may not need an Irish visa to travel to Ireland if they have a valid “Residence card of a family member of a Union citizen” issued under Article 10 of Directive 2004/38/EC (the “Free Movement Directive”) and are travelling with or joining the EU citizen. They are advised to contact the issuing authority to check if the document they have comes within the definition of the Directive, as implemented by that particular Member State.
