Easing of SA visa restrictions in line with African free movement agenda
SOUTH AFRICA has heeded a call by BRICS countries and other African states to allow for easy access into the country, especially for academics and tourists.
Yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba announced that South Africa was reviewing its visa regime for other African countries in line with the African free movement agenda.
Gigaba said in the Southern African Development Community, 15 of the 16 countries do not require visas to visit South Africa, with the exception of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. But, he said, the DRC’s diplomatic and official passport holders do not require a visa.
“Where were are able to waive visas for objective risks, we will implement other measures to ease travel. Of our top 10 African tourism market, only Nigeria has a visa requirement for ordinary passport holders,” Gigaba said.
He said the same consideration would be given to China and India which are part of the top 10 overseas tourism market.
Already South Africa, has waived visas to Russians and Angolans.
In the Middle East, he listed Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Palestine; Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman and Kuwait. In Eastern Europe, Belarus and Georgia, while in the Caribbean, he mentioned Cuba.
Gigaba was adamant that regulations, especially for international tourists travelling with minors, have also been relaxed.
He said his department was committed to managing immigration in a way which advances national development, security as well as our international obligations.
“We play a critical economic role in admitting over 10 million international visitors annually, which includes tourists, business travellers, investors and neighbours and are committed to playing an active part in efforts to continuing to increase these numbers of regular visitors to our country.”
He said these travellers were generating millions of jobs in the country. Gigaba said by allowing inward migration of skilled workers such as investors, doctors, researchers and others through our visa and permit regime would boost our national development.
“Our task is to make entry into South Africa for these visitors as easy as possible, while guarding against the risks posed by the minority of travellers who do not abide by our laws, those who overstay, and persons associated with transnational threats such as organised crime, human trafficking and terrorism.”