How your clients can apply for visas

Source: Tourism Update, 30/10/2015

Biometric machines will be placed at South African embassies and ports
of entry within the next three months.


The Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has recommended changes to South
Africa`s immigration regulations, which will see biometrics being
taken on arrival within the next three months. Presently, travellers
can apply for a visa in-person, through a travel agent or via the
post.


Speaking to Tourism Update, spokesperson for the Department of Home
Affairs, Mayihlome Tshwete, said that biometrics were not being taken
yet, as the Department of Home Affairs was waiting for the
recommendations to come from the IMC.


As biometric data was not currently being collected, it was,
therefore, not a requirement, said Tshwete. The process will be
implemented within the next three months. The biometric machines will
be placed at King Shaka International Airport, Cape Town International
Airport and OR Tambo International Airport.


The South African Visa Facilitation Centres (VFC) in Beijing, Chengdu,
Guangzhou and Shanghai told Tourism Update that Chinese travellers
could apply for a visa in person or through an accredited travel
agent. Applications cannot be made via the post.


"I don`t want to add more confusion – travellers must continue
applying for visas the same way they always have. The Chinese market
has always applied for visas in person or via a travel agent," said
Tshwete.


According to the VFC in India, travellers from Mumbai can apply for a
three-month visa or a visa for more than three months through a travel
agent or via a representative.


Travellers from New Delhi can also apply for a three-month visa to
South Africa through a travel agent or via a representative. However,
if the traveller applies for a visa that is more than three months, it
must be applied for in person, said the VFC in India.


For countries where no South African missions of embassies exist, Home
Affairs will accept applications sent by post. If travellers cannot
get to a visa centre, visa applications will also be accepted through
the postal service. Thereafter, biometrics and photos of travellers
will be captured on arrival at the ports of entry, once the biometrics
are implemented.


Tshwete said that in the next three to six months, Home Affairs would
also introduce the Accredited Tourism Company (ATC) Programme, which
would assist in making it easier for tourists to come into the
country.


"Certain markets, such as China and India, use tourism
companies/travel agents more than others. The programme will see large
tour operating companies/travel agents assisting Home Affairs in
getting all the documents that travellers need in order to come into
South Africa," said Tshwete.


The programme is currently being set up for the Chinese and Indian
markets, however Home Affairs will extend it to other market, should
the demand arise.


Home Affairs will also increase VFC in China, India, UK, Nigeria,
Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Ghana, Kenya and Uganda within
the next three months to a year and will fast-track the opening of VFC
in Zimbabwe, UAE and Botswana.