Minister addresses concerns over new visa rules

Government said last month that some of the more stringent visa rules had been eased. 

For instance, inbound travellers would no longer be required to produce unabridged birth certificates for minors travelling with them.  

Tourism industry players however say nothing has changed with the requirement as it still is a lengthy process, which in turn costs the industry over the busy summer period.  

Home Affairs' Mkuseli Apleni has told tourism stakeholders at a briefing in Johannesburg, that they're well within the timeframe for amended regulations.  

He says a letter issued in lieu of unabridged certificates is now available within 24 hours.

"It used to be issued to applicants who had not received their certificates within eight weeks. It is now issued immediately upon request by clients due to urgency of travel irrespective of the time when an application has been lodged," he said. 

(File photo: Gallo Images)