The Ministry reported that in recent years, Ireland has received a significant number of International Protection applications from nationals of Botswana and South Africa. However, both countries are deemed safe for International Protection purposes and are the only countries on the list that do not currently require a visa.
Despite new regulations, transitional arrangements will be established for nationals from Botswana and South Africa who made travel plans before July 10, allowing them to travel to Ireland until August 9, 2024. Diplomatic passport holders from South Africa will be exempt from the new visa requirements.
Since Botswana was added to the safe countries list, applications from there have decreased by 71 percent.
Expansion of Ireland’s List of Safe Countries of Origin:
Last week, Ireland’s Ministry of Justice added five more countries to the list of states considered safe countries of origin by the Irish government. Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced the inclusion of Brazil, Egypt, India, Morocco, and Malawi.
Currently, ten countries are designated as safe countries of origin, including Algeria, Albania, Botswana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia, and South Africa. Citizens from these countries can still seek International Protection in Ireland, but their applications will be processed more quickly following an extensive review by the Irish Department of Justice.
Since the introduction of accelerated processing in November 2022, applications from these countries have decreased by more than 50 percent.