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Ramaphosa will head committee to solve new visa rules headache

Source: Bianca Bothma - ENCA, 11/08/2015


PRETORIA – President Jacob Zuma announced that a new inter-ministerial
committee has been established to deal with the unintended
consequences of the new travel visa regulations.


"We`ve noted complaints on the visa regulations," said Zuma.
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa will chair the committee.


The committee comprises the ministers of tourism, home affairs, trade
and industry, social development and small business development.


Zuma was giving an update on progress made after the State of the
Nation Address earlier this year.


The latest visa requirements -- which came into effect on 1 June 2015
-- stipulate that foreigners who want to visit SA must apply for visas
in person at South African embassies abroad. Visitors will also need
to have their biometric data captured at an embassy.


The revised regulations dictate that children of all nationals and
foreigners must be accompanied by unabridged birth certificates in
addition to their passports when entering or leaving the country.


The new regulations apply only to children travelling with one parent
and those arriving from visa-exempt countries.


Government says the measure is aimed at curbing international child
trafficking.


The tourism industry -- which contributes nine percent to the
country's GDP and employs around 1.5 million people -- was alarmed by
the decision, arguing the regulations were too cumbersome and would
drive tourists away from South Africa.
- eNCA


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