Menu of the site, sitemap, links, Immigration Information for South Africans moving to, immigrating to, working in and visiting the Republic of Ireland, Immigration Information for South Africans moving to Ireland
SA passport holders cannot fly without a visa
VISA FREE ENTRY IS OVER AS OF WEDNESDAY 10TH JULY 2024
THERE IS A WINDOW FOR PEOPLE WITH BOOKINGS MADE PRIOR TO 10 JULY TO ENTER PRIOR TO 9TH AUGUST
NEW VISA- what we know so far- updates will be here
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Table of Contents for this topic:
- Information by Passport Type
- Admin before the move
- Admin once you have moved
- Living in Ireland
- Contacts for all the Immigration processes
- Our Strategic Partners
Information by Passport Type
General Work permits going deeper into the information and getting a job offer and work permit
General Work permits how to get your family processed when they arrive after 12 months
Spouses and Children of Work permits and their Stamps explained
Critical skills going deeper into the information and getting a job offer and work permit
Starting a Business or Investing in Ireland on SA Passports
Relevant parts of the EU Directive
Proofs required for EUTR1 and EUTR1A forms
Who is a dependant under EU Treaty?
MOCK-UP EUTR1A (EU1A) form- Permitted Members
Bringing Non EU parents under EU Treaty Rights
Change of circumstances under EU Treaty Rights
British and SA passports: The Basics for those who were exercising Treaty rights before Brexit
British and SA passports detailed breakdown
Uk & Non EU supporting docs and requirements
Document Checklist for British and SA for pre-clearance approval letter
Irish Citizenship (Foreign Birth Registration FBR)
Returning Irish/SA citizens (Blog)
FBR application if you are pregnant (BLOG)
All family members are Irish, British and/or European Union Passport holders
Admin before the move
The things you want BEFORE moving
1. The Paperwork from Home Affairs
If you are even THINKING of moving anywhere in the world...Number 1...
get your Home Affairs documents right at the start.
These can take a LONG time to get so prepare early!
Home Affairs Documents - Home Affairs documents and what is the difference between Abridged/Unabridged/Full and Vault?
1b. Home Affairs Agents and Contacts
Home Affairs contacts and Agents - A list of contacts and agents who deal with Home Affairs documents
1c. South African Passport renewals in SA and Ireland
South African Passport renewals in SA and Ireland - Vital information about passport renewals
2. The Rest of the Paperwork
This is all the bits of paper that will fill up a file and you could be asked for at any point,
so be prepared. Some of this you absolutely NEED, some of it is good to have!
Documents for Ireland - A list of recommended documents to arrange before leaving South Africa
2b. Paperwork at your fingertips
Paperwork at your fingertips - Links to forms needed in Ireland, that you may want to review whilst still in South Africa
2c. Checklist of things to do before you move
Checklist of things to do before you move - We have produced a unique checklist of things to make sure you have done before leaving South Africa
2d. Summary of the EU Directive (EU Treaty)
Relevant parts of the EU Directive
2e. Police Clearance, Tax Clearance and Driver's licence letter of Entitlement
Police Clearance, Tax Clearance and Driver's licence letter of Entitlement - Must have, good to have or don't bother?
2f. De Facto (unmarried) Partners and Proofs required
De Facto Relationships - If you are an Unmarried couple, what documents to prepare for your move
De Facto Relationships - EU & Non EEA
EU Treaty and Defacto RING THAT BELL! (blog)
De Facto Relationships - CSEP & Non EEA
De Facto Relationships - Irish and non EEA
3. Preparing to Fly
What paperwork do you need to actually leave South Africa and then to land in Ireland?
Visiting Ireland - As South African, what documents do I need to enter Ireland on holiday, business trip, conference or job interview?
Letter of Invitation - For family joining you later in Ireland/ Coming on Holiday/ Job Interview
3c.b. Tips on the Flying Process
Entry in to Ireland - To enter in to Ireland, what documents do I need?
Tips on the flying process - How and what to do and say at each stage of the flying process from SA to Ireland
3d. Flights from South Africa to Ireland
Flights from South Africa to Ireland (Baggage and allowances) - Airlines and routes from South Africa to Ireland
4. Thing you may want to consider before you leave
Some research you may want to go over before you leave to ensure you are prepared
Budgets - How to look at Budgeting your new life in Ireland
Getting Employed: CV writing and Recruiters - written in 2 parts: 1 focussing on CV writing, registration and recognition of qualifications and another on specifically how to find employment, employers and recruiters
Work permits going deeper into the information and getting a job offer whilst still in SA - A deeper look at finding employment for a work permit holder, but may have some helpful tips for EU/Irish/British passport holders too
Labour laws - We look at labour laws you may not be familiar with as well as things that work a bit differently to what we are used to
Ireland medical registration and job application process
So Where is my Tax Domicile? (Blog)
To register as a Nurse- The timeline (Blog)
My experience of being a creche teacher in Ireland
PSRI, USC, Tax, Pensions and Customs and Revenue - A more detailed look at deductions and pensions
How to register as a Physiotherapist in Ireland
4c. Retention of SA citizenship
Retention of SA citizenship - Do you need to apply to retain your SA passport?
4d. What should I or can I bring with me to Ireland? (and sending goods back to SA)
What should I or can I bring with me to Ireland? - A guide on shipping goods to Ireland and what you should bring or leave, and on Customs when you fly into Ireland and what you can or can't bring with you
Importing a car from SA to Ireland (Blog)
Copyright: Megan Paine
Admin once you have moved
The things you want to do ONCE you are in Ireland
1. Things to do soon after arrival
How do I do all the things that are needed to set up our lives in Ireland?
1a. Register at Garda Immigration
Register at Garda Immigration- How to register at Garda Immigration and Renewals of Residency stamps
Finding a home: Buying property
Areas in Ireland- What the Saffa's say about where they live
How we decided on where to live in Ireland (Blog)
What is the climate/weather like around Ireland?
Getting Employed: CV writing and Recruiters - written in 2 parts: 1 focussing on CV writing, registration and recognition of qualifications and another on specifically how to find employment, employers and recruiters
Work permits going deeper into the information and getting a job offer whilst still in SA - A deeper look at finding employment for a work permit holder, but may have some helpful tips for EU/Irish/British passport holders too
Labour laws - We look at labour laws you may not be familiar with as well as things that work a bit differently to what we are used to
Ireland medical registration and job application process
So Where is my Tax Domicile? (Blog)
To register as a Nurse- The timeline (Blog)
My experience of being a creche teacher in Ireland
PSRI, USC, Tax, Pensions and Customs and Revenue - A more detailed look at deductions and pensions
How to register as a Physiotherapist in Ireland
1d. PPS and Tax
1d.a. PPS number: The Basics
1d.b. PPS: Tips to getting your PPS approved - some how to on how to make sure your PPS number is approved
1d.c. Tax (Revenue), PRSI, USC, Pensions and Customs - Various aspects of tax and getting registered once you have your PPS
1e. Driving in Ireland and everything related to it
Drivers licence process for new licence in Ireland
Importing a car from South Africa
1f. Banking in Ireland - Everything relating to Banking in Ireland
Banking: Proofs of Address, Non-resident accounts, Retail banks and Credit Score
1g. Animals and Plants - Read blogs from people who have brought pets and "pet plants" into Ireland in the blogs section. What do you need to know about owning a pet in Ireland.
Animals: The care of and rules within Ireland
Bringing your pets by Ferry to Ireland (Blog)
Bringing your "pet plants" to Ireland
Do it yourself immigrating to Ireland with Pets (Blog)
Moving with our feathered friend (Blog)
Cape Town to Dublin - Fred and Ginger’s international travel (Blog)
Animal Travel to Ireland: A complete guide (Blog)
2. How things work in Ireland
How does Ireland work compared to things I know so well in South Africa?
2a. Public Transport - Buses, Trains and Taxis in Ireland
The public transport system - Buses, Trains and Taxis in Ireland
2b. Children in Ireland (& Education) - Everything to do with rearing children and education: Several articles about Children, schooling, home schooling, the costs of children, special needs children, tertiary education, types of schools, ECCE, childcare, child benefit etc
Schooling in Ireland (The Basics)
Schooling in Ireland: Enrollment
Schooling in Ireland: Homeschooling
Schooling in Ireland: Types of Schools
Schooling In Ireland: Supports
Third-level Education (Tertiary)
Schooling in Ireland: Pre-school
Schooling in Ireland: ECCE program and Childcare in Ireland
How much does it cost for children to grow up in Ireland
Child Benefit, HRC1 form and Operational Guidelines on Habitual Residence
Child passport renewal when one parent is in SA (Blog)
Rilly on Cammy making the jump to a special needs school (Blog)
Moving to Ireland with a child with special needs (Blog)
Keian's story so far... (Blog)
Moving to Ireland, from a Teenager
Moving to Ireland as a single parent (Blog)
Big Big Links - Ideas of places things to do with children
2c. Medical in Ireland - Medical in Ireland, how it works, where to get assistance, Maternity and Private medical
HSE Homebirth with Midwives (Natural Birth) (Blog)
Lara & Caitlin - Love at first sight! (Natural birth) (Blog)
If we stayed in SA, we may never had received our blessing, called Chris (C-Sec) (Blog)
Giving birth to Maddison- (C-Sec) (Blog)
3. Long term life in Ireland
If I'm planning to be here for a long time what should I start preparing for and how do things work for my family?
3a. Family Reunification Document
Family Reunification: Bringing Non EU family to stay if you have an Irish passports or the sponsor is Non EU - the basics
Family Reunification (Moving non EU family to Ireland) - Everything you need to know
3b. Habitual Residence, Means Testing, Benefits, Permanent residency and Naturalisation
What is Habitual Residence, Means Testing, Benefits, Change in circumstances (on death/divorce/separation of the sponsor and spouse/De facto partner or the sponsor leaving the state), Permanent residency, how to Naturalise Irish and Foreign Birth registration
Permanent residency and Naturalisation
Retention of South African Citizenship
Wills, Death, Guardianship and Residency
Change in circumstances (all passport types)
3c. Starting a Business in Ireland
Which Residency Stamps can Start a Business in Ireland?
Starting a business in Ireland- Stamp4, Stamp4EUfam and Stamp5
Food Business in Ireland (BLOG)
Selling or advertising food online- Food Safety Authority Ireland
Living in Ireland
Motivation or Support, or getting to know Ireland- various articles and Blogs
Copyright: Vicky Moolman
You are welcome to add your story. Email it to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to have it added
We have loads and loads of feedback from our Members:
Starting a business in Ireland
Certain Careers and the process of registering
Coping emotionally with the move and motivation
I'm in Ireland now, what if... help!
Medical in Ireland: Our SA community's experiences
Pets and moving them to Ireland
Travel Blogs that have happened during Covid
Weather... so what am I in for?
What is Ireland like from a South African's perspective?
Copyright: Lara Moolman
Contacts for all the Immigration processes
Helpful contact details in relation to Immigration
Big Big Links Page - Immigration related links
Jargon Busting - Acronyms that you are not sure about
Our Strategic Partners
- if you would like to be a Strategic Partner email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Quality Boerwors and Biltong made in Ireland:
Apostil.co.za will help you with all your SA documentary needs from Home Affairs
Thank you to Marco Gresele Photography, Chris Scott Photography,
Catchlight Lens Photography and Graphic design
and our generous Facebook members who have donated images to use on this website.
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