The committee plans on meeting with Home Affairs officials to receive full details surrounding the changes.
Parliament’s Home Affairs Portfolio Committee has welcomed Minister Malusi Gigaba’s announcement that visa regulations will be relaxed to help make coming into South Africa easier for foreigners.
“The reforms are aimed at boosting tourism and implementing various visa modifications to enable ease of travel for business people and to attract much-needed investment”, committee chair Hlomani Chauke said on Wednesday, 26 September 2018.
“The committee also welcomed moves to increase the list of African countries [whose citizens] do not require visas to visit South Africa. This move has the potential to enhance intra-Africa trade and will give impetus to the Africa Free Trade Agreement recently signed by South Africa,” Chauke said.
On Wednesday, 19 September 2018, cabinet approved the changes after receiving a joint report from Gigaba and Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom.
The changes include amendments to regulations applying to foreign minors travelling to South Africa, visa waivers and relaxation of visa requirements for certain countries.
Chauke added that: “Furthermore, the committee welcomed visa reforms intended to benefit business people from Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries”.
Gigaba said the changes would be implemented in time for the festive season.
“As indicated by the President, we are simplifying the rules on travelling minors who are foreign nationals to minimize disruption to legitimate travellers without compromising the safety of minors and the rights of their parents. To this end, we will issue an international travel advisory before the end of October 2018, after consultation with the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB)”, Gigaba said.
Thabo Baloyi
t.baloyi@politicalanalysis.co.za
