In response to New Zealand withdrawing visa free travel for South Africans, South African Minister of Home Affairs announces a withdrawal of visa free travel for New Zealand Passport holders.
New Zealand Withdraws
In 1996, visa-free travel was implemented for all South African passport holders wishing to visit New Zealand for up to three months. The only condition attached was the exemption of medical consultations or treatments as purpose of travel.
In September 2016, the High commission in New Zealand informed the South African government of the new visa requirement employed as of 21 November 2016.
The introduction of requirements is consequence to South Africans exploiting the agreement to travel for tourism and business and instead visiting Family and Friends, a high number of South Africans overstaying their visas with no intention of returning to South Africa and numerous counterfeit or fraudulent South African passports being used to enter New Zealand.
South Africa’s Reciprocity
Based on the principle of reciprocity, the decision to implement visa requirements for New Zealand Passport holders wishing to enter South Africa was set.
The requirements will be effective as of 16 January 2017.
The new requirements will apply to diplomatic, official and ordinary New Zealand passport holders.
Application requirements can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website and will need to be submitted at the South African High Commission in Wellington.
New Zealanders Visa Costs Will Increase
A visa to enter New Zealand costs almost four times the amount a South African visa requires as they wish not to reciprocate in that matter. However noted as having low visa fees, South Africa will however increase costs to align with inflation.
Consequence
South Africa has not reciprocated considerably to other countries making visa changes in the past and do not wish to deter visitors and business people.
A review of the South African international migration policy is set to take place.
Read the full statement here
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