The change of South Africa’s visa procedures, confuses travelle

Source: Afrika News, 20/12/2016

In response to the new immigration rule, applied by New-Zealand,
towards South African travellers, South Africa decided to put an end
to the visa-free travel’s arrangement made with New Zealand, years
ago. This new measure, would come into effect on the 16th of
January.

The announcement, has brought confusion among
travellers.


The reasons behind the change of the visa’s arrangement
Prior to South Africa’s decision, New Zealand’s visa requirements
towards SA travellers has changed, forcing the travellers to obtain a
visa to enter New Zealand. A decision, that came into force on the
21st of November. “These changes are being made as a result of an
increase in the number of South African nationals who have been
refused entry at the New Zealand border in comparison to other visa
waiver countries,” explained immigration New-Zealand, upon making the
announcement.


According to Malusi Gigaba, the minister of home affairs in South
Africa, this new procedure, has created some “inconveniences” for the
travellers. He thinks, that the decision to deny a visa-free entry to
New-Zealand, has impacted the reputation of his country and questioned
its safety. This new visa requirement puts South Africa at
“reputational risks of being perceived as unsafe by some countries”,
he explained. The visa policy, followed by the South African
government is based on the principle of reciprocity, therefore, a
decision was made by SA to end the 20-year visa exemption they had
with New-Zealand. Kiwis travelling to South Africa, should apply for
their visa from the South African high commission in Wellington. All
those travelling without visa, would be refused entry at the borders.
The visa fees, are fixed at 90 $ for touristic visa and 300$ for work
permit, an information made public on the the South African High
Commission’s website.


After the visa change
Following this new policy, the South African embassy, received a
number of complaints from confused travellers, needing more
information about this new travelling arrangement. This confusion was
caused by the Air New Zealand’s communicated information about the
obligation of having a visa-even if travellers arrived in SA, before
the coming into effect of the new South African’s policy.


Kiwis, should go to Wellington now to obtain their visas, before
travelling to SA. Zodwa Lallie, Africa’s high commissioner to New
Zealand, reassured the New-Zealand’s travellers, saying that there
will be some flexibilities, until the change is effective. “For people
who already have made plans or are making plans to travel to South
Africa, no visa is necessary and our system will recognize them and
they will not have a problem leaving South Africa within the usual
90-day period to return to New Zealand,” she explained.