5 Key visa developments across the globe travellers need to know about

Source: Traveller 24, 29/05/2018

Cape Town - It`s no secret South Africa`s Green Mamba is not the
strongest passport in the world.
When it comes to visa-free travel, Saffas have access to some 100
countries across the world`s 200 modern borders, ranking as the third
most powerful passport on the continent of Africa. But this does not
even come close to the likes of Japan and Singapore, tied at 180
countries for the world`s most powerful passport, followed by Germany
with access to 179 countries as the third most powerful passport
globally.
South Africa has ranked 52nd overall in the 2018 Henley Passport Index
with locals enjoying visa-free access to some 29 African countries.
So what are the latest visa developments - both related South Africans
and the world at large? Take a look.
1. SA e-visas prioritised as sticky ease of access continues to hamper
tourism growth
The roll-out of eVisas is expected to commence in Q4 this year,
according to the DHA.
Set to be gradual roll-out starting with `Phase 1, Release 1, for
applications for temporary residence visas, adjudication of temporary
residence visas, applications for waivers, notifications to the
applicant via email and biometrics captured at the Mission.`
The ePermit will be piloted at one Mission or local office in the last
quarter of the next financial year by 31st March 2019. This is to
ensure system stability. Once stable, more offices locally and abroad
can then be gradually brought online, says the DHA
This is sure to make travel to South Africa much simpler and less
complicated once it is up and running.
2. UAE sprints up the passport power rankings as Russia issues visa
waiver for World Cup
The UAE appears to be sprinting up the ranks - making it the highest
climber overall in global travel access growth.
While slipping in at 23rd place, the UAE has ascended 38 places since
2008. The country has secured more visa-waivers for its citizens in
2018 than any other jurisdiction in the world and is quickly closing
in on the lead that Israel, in 19th place, has historically held
within the Middle East region, according to Henleys.
3. SA plans to ease visa admin for holders of valid US, UK or
Canadian visas
As South Africa awaits the implementation of the eVisas pilots in Q4
of this year, the DHA is looking to make it easier for travellers to
enter SA if they have already been vetted through rigorous visa
process abroad.
It intends to allow travellers with an active US, UK, Schengen,
Canadian or Australian visa to be able to enter SA with a
visa-on-arrival approval process.
SA`s Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom confirmed the DHA is still
finalising this and that moving in the direction of online visas is
however first prize. However, at least with this a significant amount
of people who already have those visas would be able to come to South
Africa, easily.
`Other key issues placed on the agenda for official discussion during
the preliminary meeting with the Gigaba included scrapping the
unabridged birth certificate requirement and the implementation of the
strong advisory as concluded by the standing committee, as well as the
issue of so-called swallows needing to return home in order to renew
their visas after three months,` says Hanekom.
4. Saudi Arabia to launch tourist visas
Saudi Arabia has started issuing visas, in a first for the kingdom -
as it undergoes major economic and social reforms.
Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz told AFP that `all government
approvals` are in place for the launch of electronic visas to `all
nationals whose countries allow their citizens to visit` Saudi Arabia.
The move to open up its tourism sector is a major shift for Saudi
Arabia as powerful Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman seeks to radically
overhaul the kingdom`s oil-dependent economy and shed its
ultra-conservative image.
5. China excludes SA from new list of visa-free travel to its island
of Hainan
China has unveiled plans to permit visa-free travel to its southern
island of Hainan, as Beijing pushes international tourism to the
tropical destination in another step to open up the region.
The new policy will start in May and allow travellers from 59
countries to visit Hainan for 30 days visa free, said Qu Yunhai,
deputy director of the State Immigration Administration at a press
conference in Beijing.Among the countries to be included in the
programme are Russia, United States, France, Britain and Germany,
according to the official Xinhua news agency.