IMPORTANT NOTICE: REDUCED CONSULAR SERVICES

Please note that due to restrictions in place in South Africa and in Ireland in response to COVID-19, the Embassy can only accept paper applications for first-time passport applications.  All passport renewals must be made online.  You can access the online passport application form here.  If you have already submitted a paper application for a passport renewal, this will be returned to you and you will be asked to complete the online application instead.  Please note that the processing time for passport applications is significantly affected by COVID-19 response measures in South Africa and in Ireland.  

The office of the Embassy of Ireland in Pretoria remains closed to the public during the current phase of lockdown.  Until further notice the Embassy will accept collection of documents, by courier only, between 9am and 12 noon from Monday to Thursday.  The Cape Town Liaison Office is also closed. During this time communication by email is preferred. We will prioritise responding to urgent queries.  

As from 1st July all Foreign Birth Registration applications for those resident in Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, South Africa, and Zimbabwe will be processed in Ireland.  When you make your online application you will be instructed to send your application directly to Ireland to the following address: Foreign Births Registration Section, PO BOX 13003, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, Ireland.  It is extremely important that you check you have all the correct documentation requested before sending your application and that you send originals documents where indicated. Once your application has been processed, all documentation relating to your application will be returned to you via the Embassy in Pretoria.  We recommend that you send your application to Ireland using a tracked International delivery service.

Until further notice we will not accept new visa applications. You will still be able to begin your visa application online in the normal manner, but you will not be able to complete your application process. Applications will only be processed for emergency or essential travel for medical personnel, immediate family members of Irish citizens, persons legally resident in Ireland, and persons entitled to avail of the provision of the EU Free Movement Directive.  If this applies to you, submit your visa application online in the  normal manner and contact the Embassy for instructions on completing your application. The visa office will contact all other applicants who have already submitted applications to advise you on next steps.

  IMPORTANT NOTICE TO IRISH CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS VISITING SOUTH AFRICA

The Government of South Africa has announced a national lockdown in South Africa in response to COVID-19.  The lockdown measures will remain under review and will be adjusted from time to time.  Information is available here. We ask Irish visitors remaining in South Africa to respect lockdown regulations and follow public health requirements. If you are visiting South Africa and are in need of support, please contact us.  All Irish citizens currently visiting South Africa are also asked to ensure that you have registered with the Embassy of Ireland.  

All commercial international and domestic flights are currently suspended and it is not clear when they will resume.  A number of airlines are operating occasional repatriation flights to Europe, with the approval of the South African authorities.  Any Irish citizens or residents currently in South Africa should monitor airline websites for information on repatriation flights and make contact with the airlines directly in order to book tickets.  The Embassy has no role in the flight booking process.  Airlines with approval to operate flights in the coming weeks include KLM, Air France and Lufthansa. 

If you are a South African passport holder normally resident in Ireland, or you hold an employment or study permit or you are otherwise entitled to reside in Ireland, and you have procured a seat on a flight from South Africa to Ireland, you can download this Letter on Eligibility to Enter Ireland to accompany your application to the Department of Home Affairs for permission to depart South Africa.