WTTC commends South Africa tourism visa changes

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has congratulated the government of South Africa for adopting new visa policies that will see the implementation of biometric visa applications on arrival and changes to the unabridged birth certificate policy.

The new recommendations that were presented by an inter-ministerial committee that was set up to address the visa issue in the country were accepted by the cabinet and will be implemented over the next three months to over a year.

In the next three months medical travelers and visitors from countries that have no South African mission can apply for a visa by post rather than having to appear in person at centers to apply for a visa. In this same period the government will also start collecting biometrics at the port of entry.

After three months to a year, South Africa will be expanding the number of visa facilitations centers in key countries whilst after a year the government will move towards a pre-flight biometrics checking system at international airports.

Furthermore, foreign travelers under 18 no longer have to carry copies of unabridged birth certificates. South African minors have to continue to bring a certificate when they travel, though the name has changed to a “birth certificate containing parental details” as to avoid confusion. This certificate can be printed in passports, which means that parents no longer need to carry birth certificates on them. The government will implement these changes within the next three months to a year.

WTTC president David Scowsill said: “WTTC is extremely pleased that the South African government has decided to adopt new visa policies that ensure a smoother visa application process for business and leisure travelers that are looking to visit this great destination.”

News Source: breakingtravelnews.com