Ireland deported 42 South Africans and introduced new visa requirements.

No fewer than 42 South African nationals who were residing in Ireland without legal status were deported back to Johannesburg on a chartered flight that arrived on Friday.

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The group included nine men, 18 women, and 15 children, who were sent home as part of their family units. They departed from Dublin Airport on Thursday afternoon and landed in South Africa the following morning.

According to reports from The Irish Times on June 19, 2026, two of the individuals in the deportation group had criminal convictions in Ireland.

Jim O’Callaghan, Ireland’s Minister for Justice, addressed the matter, noting that most South Africans in the country are present legally.

He stressed that the Irish immigration system must remain “rules‑based and robust” and explained that enforcement actions, including deportations, are essential for the system to function effectively and to uphold public confidence in immigration laws.

New visa requirements

The Irish government earlier announced updated visa rules.

The new regulations require citizens from certain regions of the world to secure entry documents before arriving.

Under the revised directive, nationals of Saint Lucia, Nicaragua, and Saint Kitts and Nevis must obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. This major immigration change took effect on June 15, 2026.

Vanguard News

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