SA to roll out immigration regulation concessions

South Africa will start to implement concessions surrounding the immigration regulations which have had serious “unintended” consequences for the country’s tourism and travel sectors.Home Affairs Director General Mkuseli Apleni confirmed this week that the concessions would be rolled out over the next three months, including:

• South African passports will now include the names of both parents to eradicate the need for parents to carry birth certificates for children.
• Sports bodies and schools may over the next three months write letters for minors to cross the South African borders.
• Introduction of an Accredited Tourism Company Programme for China, India and Russia with the possible extension of this programme to other visa-requiring countries.
• Implementation of biometrics collection starting with a pilot project at South Africa’s three main airports.
• Increased visa facilitation centres in China, India, Zimbabwe and other countries.
• Installation of pre-flight checks, including operational centres, at international airports.
• Upgrading Advance Passenger Processing Systems and implementing a passenger name record to enhance risk assessment.