The SA Department of Tourism is liaising with the airline
industry, and will communicate further when the airlines have
updated their systems and are ready to board passengers according
to the amended regulations.
However, Iata has accepted these new regulations and has confirmed
this in writing with the Department of Home Affairs. Iata has
further confirmed that the amended regulations, which follow the
practice of countries such as the UK and Canada, do remove the
requirement for airlines to verify documentation of minor
travellers [other than when they are travelling alone].
The Department of Tourism has offered this deconstruction of the
UBC amendments,
Foreign minors â€` visa-exempt countries
Parents travelling with minors from visa-exempt countries will
need the following documentation:
• Copies of original documents are sufficient and need not
be certified
• Consent and authorisation in the form of a letter which
needs not be notarised or be an affidavit
• Children travelling with both parents need no extra
documentation, however if there is a situation where the surname
is different, carrying proof of parental relationship is advised
• In the event of a minor not travelling with both parents,
but travelling with an adult, other documentation may be requested
and it is strongly advised â€` this could be in the form of a birth
certificate and other supporting documents such as a letter of
consent, court orders or death certificate(s) as appropriate. A
period of 24 hours is provided for to acquire such documents on
arrival if they are requested and are not in the traveller’s
possession
• In the event of a minor travelling alone, additional
documentation must be carried
• A birth certificate (copy) to satisfy the immigration
processes should contain details of the parent(s)
Foreign minors â€` countries where visas are required
• The requirements for children travelling with only one
parent or another adult from countries that require visas have not
changed. This means that they have to produce the documentation on
application for a visa, and a copy of a birth certificate will be
required when applying for any child visa
• Should the adult(s) travelling with a child on a visa
change from what was stated on the

visa application due to
unavoidable short-term circumstances, the travelling adult(s) are
also advised to carry the same documentation as above (for visa-
exempt travellers)
Child travellers and accompanying adults will only be stopped and
asked questions, and possibly be required to provide additional
documentation in exceptional cases where there may be grounds for
suspicion or in ‘high-risk situations’.
The statement published by the Department of Tourism reads: “The
above is outlined in the September 25, 2018, press statement of
the then Minister of Home Affairs, when he stated that ‘our
immigration officials will only insist on documentation by
exception â€` in high-risk situations â€` rather than for all
travellers, in line with practice by several other countries’.”
Travel advice for trade and customers
• Minor traveller documentation requirements are in line
with international countries, including Canada and the UK.
• If travelling with a child (under 18) and not the child’s
parent, or may appear not to be the parent…it is recommended that
one carries evidence of one’s relationship with the child and/or
the reason why travelling with the child. This evidence could
include copies of:
o A birth or adoption certificate indicating relationship
with the child
o Divorce/marriage certificates if one is the parent but has
a different surname to the child
o A letter from the child’s parent/s giving authority for
the child to travel with the adult and providing contact details
if the guardian is not the parent
The new regulations are in line with the recommendations of the
Inter-Ministerial Committee led by then Deputy President Cyril
Ramaphosa which were finalised in October 2015.
Their recommendations were followed by the statement: “This would
remove the obligation from airlines to verify documentation.
Immigration officers will retain the discretion to, at random,
request additional evidence and that suspicious individuals may be
questioned and additional information sought on their
circumstances and corroborated.” V.2680

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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