An open visa policy would allow more economic growth and job creation
as a result of increased tourism from key source markets, said Onne
Vegter, Director at Wild Wings Safaris.

Southern Africa`s visa openness registered 29%, compared with a global
average of 39%, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Visa Openness Report. The figure indicates the percentage of the
world`s population that can travel to a destination without obtaining
a traditional visa prior to departure. At present, 71% of the world`s
population require a visa prior to travelling to Southern
Africa.


The UNWTO report stated that emerging economies continued to be more
open compared with advanced economies: South-East Asia recorded an
openness score of 51%; East Africa, 48%; and the Caribbean and Oceania
recorded 43%. The most restrictive sub-regions include Central Africa
at 5%; North Africa at 16%; and North America 15%. The Americas
recorded an openness score of 37%, while Europe recorded 24%.


David Frost, SATSA CEO, said South Africa should improve its visa
regime and look to develop reciprocal relationships with countries.


"South Africa must also credit travellers who have been
through more rigorous visa processes, such as applying for and
receiving a US or Schengen visa, and allow those travellers in more
easily."


Ross Kennedy, Chief Executive at Africa Albida Tourism, and Onne
Vegter, Director at Wild Wings Safaris, said there was huge potential
for African countries to advance travel facilitation as a means to
promote tourism. Vegter said South Africa especially could benefit
greatly from

visa openness. He argues that an open visa policy would
allow more economic growth and job creation as a result of increased
tourism from key source markets.


UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, argued that security challenges
should not be a deterrent to advancing visa facilitation. "On the
contrary, enhancing security and facilitating tourism travel should
always go hand in hand." Vegter echoed this sentiment. "Even though
security is important and illegal immigration remains a valid concern,
a rigid or unnecessarily harsh visa policy does far more harm than
good," he said.


Frost agreed and said visas were an impediment to tourists and the
more South Africa could do to reduce this, the better. He added that
South Africa could learn from India. Even though the country had
fallen victim to terror attacks, India had opened its borders by
implementing an eVisa programme and was creating visas on arrival for
about 32 countries.


Other Southern African countries appear to be making strides towards
visa openness. Kennedy said the arrival of the KAZA UniVisa, which
could later become an SADC UniVisa, would create positive,
user-friendly engagement with travellers to Southern Africa.


"In Zimbabwe, we are aware that government is reviewing its visa
regime, whereby it is hoped that a number of countries requiring a
visa on arrival will be reviewed to `no visa required` and further
countries requiring a visa prior to travel will be moved to `visas on
arrival`," said Kennedy. V.1564

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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