Visa concessions address

Update on South African Visa Concessions

Home Affairs Director-General Mkuseli Apleni addressed stakeholders on the 10th of December, with a view to clarify the terms and progress of the visa concessions put forward by the inter-ministerial committee.

The presentation touched on the following points.

Concessions that will take effect within the next 3 months:

For countries where no South African missions exist, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will accept applications sent by post. Thereafter, the biometrics and photos of those travellers will be captured on arrival at ports of entry. This concession will only be applicable to Visitors/Medical Visa.

The DHA will implement the biometrics (including fingerprints and photos) at ports of entry, starting with a pilot. The pilot sites will be at OR Tambo International Airport, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airport.

DHA will introduce an Accredited Tourism Company (ATC) Programme for China, India and Russia with possible extension to other visa-requiring countries.

DHA will continue to issue a long-term Multiple Entry Visa to frequent travellers. This will be valid for a period exceeding 3 months but not exceeding 3 years.

Concessions that will be effective within 3 months to 1 year:

DHA will increase Visa Facilitation Centres (VFC) in China, India, United Kingdom, Nigeria Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda. DHA will fast-track the opening of VFCs in Zimbabwe, UAE and Botswana.

Concessions that will be affected beyond one year

The DHA will install systems for pre-flight checks (including operation-centres) at international airports.

The DHA will upgrade Advance Passenger Processing (APP) systems and implement a Passenger Name Record (PNR) to enhance risk assessment.

The DHA will finalise the automation of the visa and permitting system.

Child-travel requirements: South African children

In respect of South African children (outbound travel) the IMC accepted the implementation of the current child-travel requirements, including the parental consent affidavits as these seek to protect children.

Concessions to be effective within the next 3 months:

School principals will issue letters confirming the permission for children to travel on school tours. This authority will also be extended to include registered sports bodies.

The validity of the Parental Consent Affidavit will be extended to a period no longer than 6 months.

Concessions to be effective within the next 3 months to a year:

The term “Unabridged Birth Certificate” will be changed to “Birth Certificate containing parental details.

Details of parents will be printed in passports, so that parents whose particulars are printed would therefore not be required to carry birth certificates.

Child-travel requirements: foreign children

In respect of inbound travellers, the IMC took the position that where visas are required, provision of original birth certificates or certified copies of required documents should continue during the visa application process as this is in line with practise in many other countries.

In respect of children from visa-exempt countries, the IMC recommended a dispensation in terms of which travellers will be strongly advised to bring along proof of the relation and consent from the absent parent/s or guardian/s.

Transit Visa

Although the Transit Visa is not new, there is a need to attend to it given the concerns raised. Accordingly, we will remove this requirement once biometric capturing at ports of entry is in place.

Unabridged Birth Certificates

New UBC applications, or individuals awaiting their UBCs, can obtain an emergency travel document immediately, and no longer have to wait 8 weeks before becoming eligible.

For more information on the IMC visa concessions, download the Stakeholder Forum Info Pack.

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Contact Le Roux Attorneys, South African Visa specialists about your visa application. Start by selecting one of the enquiry options below

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