South African Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba has announced the following amendments, which is anticipated to be in affect by the festive season:
Unabridged birth certificates will not be required for foreign minor’s, however this rule still applies to South African minor’s exiting and entering the country at all border posts.
Visa waiver agreements will be put in place for ordinary passport holders from the following countries:
- Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sao Tome & Principe, Tunisia, Saharawi-Arab Democratic Republic and Ghana
- Middle-East: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, State of Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait
- Eastern Europe: Belarus and Georgia
- Caribbean: Cuba
Chinese and Indian nationals will be allowed to have their biometrics completed upon arrival in SA, therefore they can courier their applications to the SA Missions abroad, processing of applications will take approximately 5 days.
Frequent travellers to SA will be given a 3 year multiple entry visa. Business people and academics from Africa will be considered for a 10 year multiple entry visa.
The reason for Home Affairs looking at the above changes is to make it easier for tourists, business travellers and academics to enter South Africa.