When heads of state from across Africa arrive in Kigali, Rwanda next
month for the African Union (AU) Summit, they will be among the first
Africans issued the new electronic African Union passport. The
passport is meant to make travel on the continent much easier for
Africans.


"The scene seems to be set to realize the dream of visa-free travel
for African citizens within their own continent by 2020," the AU said
in a statement announcing the launch.


Travel in Africa is difficult for most Africans. They are required to
have visas for over half of the countries on the continent. Only 13
African countries (pdf) allow other Africans to enter without a visa
or give visas on arrival. In contrast, Americans can travel to 20
African countries without visas or with visas on arrival.


African travelers say they feel the same suspicion at immigration
counters within the continent as they do outside of it. Aliko Dangote,
a Nigerian businessman and Africa`s wealthiest man, was himself once
turned away by South African immigration officials as he struggled to
locate his passport. Meanwhile his American staff sailed through
border control.

Intra-African trade also costs more than any other region—as much as
50% higher than East Asia, for example. A truck serving supermarkets
in southern Africa needs to carry as many as 1,600 documents,
including permits and licenses, in order to cross borders, according
to Anabel Gonzalez, senior director of a World Bank group on trade and
global competitiveness.


The goal of the African Union passport, which Dangote said he is
applying for, is to help turn Africa into a "continent with seamless
borders" modeled after the European Union`s Schengen Area. Giving the
passports to state leaders is a "symbolic and significant" step,
according to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, chair of the

African Union
Commission. The goal of the African Union passport is to help turn
Africa into a "continent with seamless borders."


Officials have been pushing for increased freedom of movement ever
since the Organization of African Unity, a precursor to the AU, was
established in the 1960s. The idea has gained traction over the last
few years, however, due to the continent`s improving economic fortunes
and population growth. The AU wants to abolish visa requirements for
all African citizens visiting African countries by 2018, and establish
a free trade area across the continent by 2017.


Skeptics point out that creating a truly borderless Africa will likely
be quite challenging. The continent hosts many refugees from conflict
areas, not to mention militant groups like al-Shabaab or Boko Haram.
Then there are public health crises like the Ebola outbreak, and
questions posed by the nationality of those who have been deemed
stateless.


The Seychelles, Rwanda, Mauritius, and most recently Ghana have all
loosened travel restrictions on their fellow Africans, allowing visas
on arrivals or entry without the permit. But the process remains slow.
Currently, only AU heads of state and government, ministers of foreign
affairs, and other AU officials can apply for the passport, which will
be recognized in all 54 countries belonging to the organization.


"Countries have said that they are going back to look at the
practicality of doing their immigration regulation," says African
Union Commission chair Dlamini-Zuma. "But there is a decision and it
is up to all of us to hold our countries to that decision so that
indeed Africans can move freely amongst other African countries." V.1652

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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