The consular staff at the Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria have confirmed that "shortly", South African passport holders will no longer require a visa to enter the Republic of Ireland.
However, because South Africa (along with Botswana, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe) has been designated a Category 2 country by Ireland’s Department of Health, a 14-day mandatory hotel quarantine applies.
These travellers must pre-book accommodation in a designated quarantine facility and pre-pay for their stay. More details can be found here.
Travellers entering the Republic must also have a negative result from a COVID-19 PCR test carried out no more than 72 hours before arrival.
This includes those who have transited through a port or airport in a designated State, even if they stay airside or portside, in the 14 days prior to their arrival in Ireland, regardless of nationality.
