Ireland Introduces Visa Requirements for Nationals of Eswatini, Nauru & Lesotho effective from 10 March 2025

Ireland has announced that, effective March 10, 2025, citizens of Eswatini, Lesotho, and Nauru will need to apply for a visa before traveling to Ireland. They will also require a transit visa if they are planning to transit through Ireland while traveling to another destination. 

The Minister of Justice Jim O’Callaghan made this announcement on March 7, 2025.

“The visa system is an essential part of our immigration system to determine who can travel to Ireland. I want to be clear that introducing these requirements does not prevent nationals of Eswatini, Lesotho, and Nauru from coming to Ireland to visit, work, study, or to join family members. Applying for a visa is a screening mechanism to ensure we are facilitating legitimate travel,” said Minister O’Callaghan concerning the announcement. 

The visa requirements to enter Ireland are under continuous review to maintain effective immigration controls while facilitating travel for those wanting to travel to Ireland for genuine reasons. 

Minister O’Callaghan added, “This is a carefully considered decision which will keep Ireland in step with neighboring jurisdictions. A wide range of factors are taken into account when introducing visa requirements to ensure we can facilitate travel with processes that are robust, effective, and fair. I can assure those traveling in the next few weeks that my department has put transitional measures in place to minimize disruption.”

Transitional arrangements will be put in place for the nationals of these three countries who had made plans to travel to Ireland before March 10, 2025. If they can provide evidence of a valid booking or payment for the trip, they may be allowed to enter Ireland for emergency travel on or before March 31, 2025, but only in the following situations: 

1. A critical medical case where a family member is seriously ill or undergoing medical treatment. 
2. A significant family event, such as a birth, wedding, or funeral.
3. Admission into a third-level institution on an undergraduate or post-graduate degree course. 
4. Gaining employment and holding an Employment Permit for Ireland. 
5. Business travel. 

In all the above situations, suitable evidence must be provided from the relevant institutions, such as medical or educational institutions or government departments. Individuals who fall into these categories should send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “Visa Required – Emergency Travel Requested”.