Travelling to South Africa now made easier

Malusi Gigaba, Home Affairs Minister of South Africa, announced some big Visa changes on 25^th September which will make travelling to South Africa easier. 19 countries have received a Visa requirement waiver while travelers from India and China can now submit their application remotely.

Here are the changes that have been announced:

1. E-visas and E-gates: South Africa plans to pilot the E-visa scheme for travelers going to and coming from New Zealand in autumn 2019. E-gates will be introduced at the Lanseria and Cape Town airports respectively. E-gates allow you to scan your passport and look into the camera so that you can pass through border control. This lessens the time spent in long queues as there is no human interaction required.
2. Long-term multiple-entry Visas: Three long-term visas would be rolled out for specific countries. Citizens from Brazil, China, Russia, and India would be able to apply for a 10-year long multiple-entry Visa. Businessmen and academics from Africa would be able to apply for 10-year visitor visas. Frequent travelers to South Africa may be eligible for 3-year multiple-entry visas.
3. Application process made easier for India and China: Chinese and Indian travelers can now submit their applications via courier. They would be able to submit their biometrics on their arrival in South Africa. They would also be eligible for 5-year multiple-entry visas.
4. Critical Skills List update: A revised Critical Skills List would be introduced by South Africa by April 2019. More occupations would be added to the list widening the doors for the entry of skilled migrants from overseas. International students who complete their graduation from South African Universities in a field on the Critical Skills List would be allowed to file for Permanent Residency.
5. Visa waiver: As per the proposal by Malusi Gigaba, 19 countries may be allowed visa-free travel to South Africa, as quoted by The South African. They are:

• North America: Cuba
• Europe: Georgia, Belarus
• Africa: Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Ghana, Algeria, Sao Tome and Principe, The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic
• Middle-East: UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Palestine, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Lebanon

6. Fewer issues for minors: South Africa is keen to make things for minors traveling to South Africa easier. As per Gigaba, immigration officers will only insist on documentation in exceptional situations rather than for all. In cases where documentation is absent, minors will be allowed a chance to prove parental consent.

Y-Axis offers a wide range of visa and immigration services as well as products to aspiring overseas students/immigrants including South Africa Visa, South Africa Visa & Immigration, South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa, and Work Permit Visa.

If you found this blog engaging, you may also like…

Visa relaxations to boost tourism in South Africa