EU visas: Exemptions for SA travellers on the cards

Source: Travel News, 28/09/2016

Pretoria - Talks were ongoing regarding the relaxation or elimination
of visa requirements for South Africans travelling to European Union
(EU) member states, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba announced on
Tuesday.


Gigaba said he held discussions with the ambassador of the EU to South
Africa Marcus Cornaro regarding this matter.


Pretoria that he wanted reciprocity from these member states, because
South Africa had already given them visa exemption when travelling to
the country.


"We took a decision last year in South Africa that frequent travellers
to our country will be given a three-year multi-entry visa.


"This is because if somebody is a frequent visitor to the country and
spends their money in South Africa, they have not breached our
immigration laws.


"They have not even overstayed on a single occasion, and such people
should be able to enjoy the benefits and exemptions, incentives and
rewards that recognise the positive contribution they have made to
South African society," Gigaba said.


He said they expected the EU to do the same.


Another topic discussed was work permits, looking to make it easier
for South Africans who wanted to work in EU countries and providing
critical skills to travel there and stay for a certain amount of
time.


"Another area we looked at was data and information sharing.


"This is part of the reason why we asked the EU to make a presentation
to us in terms of drafting our white paper.


"Drawing on their experiences, we shared with them their appreciation
of South Africa`s new international law policy framework."


Gigaba said the main interest was for all South African passport
holders to have a full visa exemption when travelling to Europe.


The UK visa was exceptionally high for most South Africans at R10 000,
Gigaba said, and ordinary citizens would directly benefit from the
visa exemptions. "We are quite happy with the discussions we have had
and the time-frames on when we can expect to get feedback."


Cornaro said the discussions were constructive and he would make sure
these topics were placed firmly on the agenda in the partnership the
two entities have. His role as ambassador was to convey it to member
states, he said.


The main aim would be to get all South African passport holders a visa
exemption but they would first start with diplomats, officials and
students before they expand it.


The time-frame for diplomats, officials and students getting visa
exemptions is before the end of the year.


For the rest of the country, they are looking at March next year.