🇮🇪 Moving to Ireland from South Africa
Ireland is English-speaking, in the EU, and short of skilled workers in healthcare, tech and engineering. Its employment permits give a clear route to long-term residence.
Visa routes for South Africans
- Critical Skills Employment Permit: For occupations on the critical skills list, or above a high salary threshold. After two years it usually leads to Stamp 4 (live and work without a permit).
- General Employment Permit: For other occupations not on the ineligible list, with a job offer and a labour-market test.
- Entry visa: South African passport holders need a visa to enter Ireland, even to visit, so allow time for it.
Getting your qualifications recognised
- Nurses & midwives: Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
- Doctors: Register with the Medical Council of Ireland.
- Teachers: Register with the Teaching Council.
- Engineers: Engineers Ireland handles chartered status.
Where South Africans live in Ireland
Dublin and its suburbs, Cork and Galway have growing South African communities and rugby clubs. Browse South African shops, restaurants and pubs in Ireland and upcoming Saffa events.
Settling in: practical tips
- Rental housing in Dublin is very scarce. Many people start in short-term lets and look from there.
- Register your immigration permission with immigration services after you arrive.
Official sources
Before you go, work through our emigration checklist and read up on SARS and tax residency.
Visa-sponsored jobs in Ireland
Senior Voice AI Engineer
Clera · Remote – worldwide
About the RoleAs a founding engineer on a small conversational AI team, you will own the real-time voice layer, from incoming speech through AI reasoning to spoken responses.
Business Development Manager, South Africa
RateHawk · Remote – South Africa
RateHawk is part of Emerging Travel Group— a pioneering travel-tech company also known for its two other brands, ZenHotels and Roundtrip, spanning over 220 markets worldwide.
Senior Research Manager - Animal Welfare
Rethink Priorities · Remote – worldwide
About the roleRethink Priorities' Animal Welfare Department produces research and strategic advice to help organizations make well-informed decisions for animals.
Founding Product Manager
Clera · Remote – worldwide
About the RoleThis is a founding product management role at a fast-growing AI startup operating in the creator economy and social commerce space.