Transit visas under scrutiny

Source: Tourism Update, 10/12/2015

Biometric capturing will definitely be introduced at South Africa`s
primary international airports by the end of January, and as a result,
other immigration controls, such as the Transit Visa, could be
reviewed the Director General of the Department of Home Affairs,
Mkuseli Apleni, has assured stakeholders.


Mkuseli was addressing tourism and business stakeholders at the Ernst
& Young headquarters in Sandton, Johannesburg yesterday (December 10).



"The implementation of the capturing of biometrics at Lanseria
International Airport, OR Tambo International Airport, King Shaka
International Airport and Cape Town International Airport are on
track," Mkuseli said. The modules had been developed, tested and were
currently being piloted at certain ports of entry, he added.


"Consequently, the criticality of the biometric capability to manage
risk allows the department to retract the requirement for certain
travellers to hold a Transit Visa," Mkuseli said.


He said the Department was re-evaluating the Transit Visa requirements
in line with the Port of Entry biometric enhancements.

The
intended outcome of this evaluation, he said, was for the Transit Visa
requirement to be retracted altogether.


"This is currently in progress but it depends on the successful
implantation of the biometric capturing," he said.


Mkuseli added that the Department would now initiate consultation with
other member departments operating in the border control environment
to ensure alignment on the new security standards introduced. "By
January 31, we hope to issue an Immigration Directive advising all
stakeholders of the change in requirements."


Other changes introduced by the Department include:
• Extending the validity of the parental consent affidavit from four
months to six.


• Adding parents` details to South African children`s passports so
that outbound travellers are no longer required to carry an unabridged
birth certificate.


• Introducing a long-term multiple-entry visitor`s visa for a period
exceeding three months and up to three years.


• Introducing a 10-year visa waiver for BRICs countries.


• Introducing a long-term multiple-entry visa for travellers visiting
South Africa frequently, such as business people, academics and
tourists.