The Department of Home Affairs has welcomed Cabinet`s decision
regarding the recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Committee the
President had established in August 2015 to look at the unintended
consequences and mitigating factors relating to the implementation of
the Immigration Amendment Acts (2007 and 2011) and Immigration
Regulations, 2014. The law, as amended, will remain with adjustments
to be made in implementation, to make it easier for people to
comply.


In terms of the decision, on the requirement for travellers to apply
for visas in person, in countries where there is no SA mission, the
Department of Home Affairs will receive applications, including by
post, and capture biometrics of travellers on arrival at ports of
entry. To address concerns around the geographical spread of countries
like China, India and Russia, certain measures will be put in place to
ease the process of application, in particular for tourists.


With regard to the travelling of children Cabinet approved four
processes. Child-travel requirements for outbound travelling will
stay, including proof of parental relations through unabridged birth
certificates, and, as necessary, parental consent. In respect of
inbound travel where visas are required, it will still be required
that original birth certificates and, as necessary, parental consent
or certified copies are submitted during the visa application process.
Requirements regarding unaccompanied minors will remain, like
providing copies of the identity document or valid passport and visa
or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive an
unaccompanied minor.


For visa-exempt countries a strong advisory will be issued, with
travellers advised to have proof of relationship and consent from the
absent parent/s or guardian/s, in case they are asked to provide such
on arrival. Cabinet has mandated DHA to put in place the necessary
legal instruments to give effect to this decision. The status quo will
remain until such time the DHA has provided a legal instrument for
this category of travellers. In the meantime travellers are encouraged
to comply.


The decision to retain the IMC on Immigration Regulation will greatly
assist in dealing with whatever difficulty might arise as a result of
the implementation of its recommendations

until such time that the
main decisions have been implemented.


In order to implement Cabinet decisions on this matter, the Department
will do the following:
In the next three months,


• Implement the capturing of biometrics at ports of entry
starting with a pilot at OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town airports,



• Look at introducing an Accredited Tourism Company Programme for
countries like China, India and Russia,


• Consider a long-term Multiple Entry Visa for a period exceeding 3
months and up to 3 years for frequent travellers (for business
meetings), business people and academics,


• Principals will issue letters confirming permission for children to
travel on school tours,


• Extend the validity of the parental consent affidavit to 6
months.


Within a year,
• Add visa facilitation centres, including in Zimbabwe, United Arab
Emirates and Botswana,


• Consider a visa-waiver for India, China, Russia and other
countries,


• Look at issuing visas on arrival for persons travelling to SA having
in their passports valid visas for the UK, USA and Canada or any other
country that applies stringent checks on visitors to their countries,
to ease travel for tourists,


• Consider granting a certain category of frequent travellers
(business and academics) from Africa a 10 year Multiple Entry
Visitor`s Visa,


• Open two Business Visa Facilitation Centres in Durban and Port
Elizabeth, in addition to the centre recently opened in
Sandton,


• Print parents` details in their passports so that they do not have
to carry birth certificates.


In the long term, one year and beyond,
• Install systems for pre-flight checks at international
airports,


• Upgrade Advance Passenger Processing systems and implement Passenger
Name Record, to enhance risk assessment,


• Finalise automation of the visa and permitting system
These measures will ensure the balance between national security and
economic interests of the country. Child safety will not be compromised. V.1340

One of the highlighted topics: Critical Skills Visa.

- Key Insight: Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast track to working in South Afr...
- This matter relates to critical skills visa and its broader implications.
- Individuals are advised to seek professional guidance.

Is your profession on the Critical Skills List? This visa is your fast trac V.6139
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One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, became a victim of identity theft in 2012 when fraudulent transactions occurred, using her personal details.

-The Pretoria High Court found that the department of home affairs had violated constitutional rights without due process.
-Only half of Lawyers for Human Rights` test group has been unblocked, while 385 000 identities remain blocked nationwide.
-LHR appeals extension, urges affected people to seek help now.

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) are intensifying pressure on the department of home affairs over the national ID-blocking crisis, accusing the state of acting too slowly to unblock qualifying individuals despite a landmark court ruling.

In January last year, the Pretoria High Court found that the department`s practice of blocking IDs without due process was unlawful and unconstitutional. One of the applicants, Phindile Mazibuko, a Swati citizen and South African permanent resident since 1998, fell victim to identity theft in 2012 when fraudsters used her personal details.

 V.6133
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6128
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6129
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A Washington state mother and her 6-year-old son have been released after spending more than three weeks in US immigration detention due to a brief trip to Canada and a small paperwork mistake, her attorney told CNN on Saturday.

Sarah Shaw, a New Zealand citizen who has lived legally in the US since she arrived in 2021, was detained at the Blaine, Washington, Customs and Border Protection checkpoint when returning home after dropping her two oldest children off at the Vancouver airport for a flight to visit their grandparents in New Zealand. Shaw, 33, chose the flight out of Vancouver because it was direct and she didn`t want her children to have to navigate a layover alone, her attorney Minda Thorward, told CNN.

 V.6130
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On 22 July 2025, the Gauteng High Court dismissed Sitrusrand Boerdery`s review of the Department of Employment and Labour`s refusal to issue a Working Conditions and Salary Benchmarking Certificate, an essential precondition for obtaining corporate visas under the Immigration Act.

Acting Judge Kekana AJ held that the Department`s decision was lawful, rational and procedurally fair. This judgment illustrates how businesses can - and must - structure their corporate visa applications to meet statutory requirements, and how legal practitioners should prepare robust review challenges when administrative authorities decline to recommend foreign-work permits.

 V.6131
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The United States could forfeit an estimated 9.4 billion dollars in visitor spending over the next three years following the introduction of a new 250 dollars `visa integrity fee,` according to industry groups, who warn the policy risks undermining tourism and costing thousands of jobs.
The United States’ decision to introduce a 250 dollars `visa integrity fee` on international visitors has triggered sharp criticism from the global tourism industry, with officials warning that the measure could deter millions of travellers and cost the U.S. economy billions.
The 250dollar `visa integrity fee,` part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed on July 4, 2025, will take effect later this year. According to immigration law firm Envoy Global, it applies to all nonimmigrant visa holders which include students, tourists, temporary workers, and business visitors particularly from African countries. V.6132
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The Border Management Authority (BMA) has doubled its staff at Airports in South Africa , including immigration officers.

What does this mean for travelers? V.6127
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1. Right to Legal Representation•You have the right to consult with a legal representative.•Contact an immigration practitioner, legal aid clinic, or attorney urgently.•Do not sign any documents without understanding them fully. 2. Section 34 of the Immigration Act•You must be brought to court with 48 hours to confirm arrest but you can remain locked up very long as courts figure out what to do with you •If you`re found to be illegally in South Africa, you may be detained for up to 30 days (extendable by a magistrate) pending deportation.•BUT this cannot happen arbitrarily. You must be informed of your rights, and Home Affairs must follow due process.- becomes a nightmare , you could lose your job , business , place to stay V.6121
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Driving for Bolt, Uber, Mr D, or Checkers Sixty60?If you`re undocumented, you`re risking more than just your income.The Risks if You`re Not Legal: - Vehicle impoundment - Heavy fines - Arrest & deportation - Permanent bans from working in SA V.6122
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