Controversial visa regulations to be slackened
The civil rights organisation AfriForum welcomes the announcement by Jeff Radebe, Minister in the Presidency, that the controversial visa regulations, which are having an enormous impact on tourism in South Africa, are going to be slackened. This piece of good news was announced on Friday, 23 October 2015 at a news conference.
According to Sue-Ann de Wet, AfriForum’s Project Coordinator for South African Diaspora, both foreign tourists and South African travellers suffered big discomfort due to the problems at the Department of Home Affairs with regards to the issuing of unabridged birth certificates and the inability of the Department to properly inform all the officials about the enforcement of the regulations. AfriForum was swamped with complaints and requests for help in this regard.
The decision to slacken the regulations follows after months of drawn-out infighting between Derek Hanekom, Minister of Tourism, and Malusi Gigaba, Minister of Home Affairs.
The concessions with regards to these regulations involve, amongst others, the following:
- Underaged tourists from countries in North America and Europe, who do not require a visa to visit South Africa, do not have to travel with a bridged birth certificate anymore, seeing as it is now only a recommendation;
- Parents of underaged tourists from countries who do require a visa, will still be required to show a birth certificate when they apply for a visa;
- Prospective tourists do not have to travel on their own expense to a South African diplomatic office anymore, seeing as biometrical systems are going to be erected at OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airport;
- In countries with few or no diplomatic offices, prospective tourists will be allowed to send their visa applications via mail; and
- Accredited tourism companies will also be allowed to apply for visas on behalf of prospective tourists.
“Since the visa regulations were announced for the first time, we expressed our concerns regarding the effect hereof. AfriForum welcomes the new concessions, tourism is a key industry in South Africa with regards to foreign exchange and the creation of jobs. South Africa is a tourism location with challenges like crime and big travel distances. As such, it must be made easier for the bona fide tourist to visit the country, but also easy for the local tourist to travel,” said De Wet.
AfriForum directs an urgent plea to parents not to be overconfident, but to apply early for an unabridged birth certificate to avoid disappointment when travelling.
Issued by Sue-Ann de Wet, Project Coordinator: South African Diaspora, AfriForum, 26 October 2015
