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Controversial birth certificate rules for foreign tourists in SA to be scrapped

Source: Tourism Update, 25/03/2019


The whole process has been deemed as convoluted and over the top:
Acquiring birth certificates can be a nightmare in any country,
and having to apply for a copy can take months of clearing
administrative hurdles. As Tourism Update highlight, official
wording on the regulation now omits this particular requirement.
“Where both parents are travelling accompanied by one or more of
their children, such children have to produce valid passports and
visas, where applicable. When travelling with parents with
different surnames, carrying proof of the parental relationship is
advised.”
Home Affairs
When will this become law?
This updated version on the rules will only come into “actionable
effect” once loaded on to the International Air Transport
Association’s Travel Information Manual Automatic (Timatic)
system. The programme is able to store all information required
about every passenger who flies through South Africa.
No date has yet been set for the implementation, which means the
old rules still apply for now. We will update this article
accordingly when the new regulations become official policy.
Birth certificate requirements: Be aware of exemptions
However, with this being a Home Affairs directive, there are some
sneaky caveats you need to be made aware of: Most importantly, the
rule change will not apply to South African children. Kids
travelling with one parent are advised to continue producing a
birth certificate, as well as a parental consent letter from the
non-travelling parent.
Fully unaccompanied children in-transit must still provide:
• A valid passport
• A Birth Certificate
• The Parental Consent letter, from both parents on the BC
• A letter from the person who is to receive the child in
the Republic containing such person’s residential and work address
and full contact details in the Republic,
• A copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa
or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the
minor in the Republic.

The Department of Home Affairs published the update on Friday.
They hope that this relaxation of the rules â€` whenever it is fully
implemented â€` will help drive tourism numbers up and make it
easier for families to pass through South African customs hassle-
free.


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