It will no longer be mandatory for inbound travellers from visa-exempt countries to carry unabridged birth certificates for children travelling with them
Unabridged birth certificates will still have to be presented by South African children leaving the country
To be implemented within the following three months:
Implement the capturing of biometrics at ports of entry starting with a pilot at OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town airports
Look at introducing an accredited tourism company programme for countries like China, India and Russia
Consider a long-term multiple entry visa for a period exceeding three months and up to three years for frequent travellers (for business meetings), business people and academics
Principals will issue letters confirming permission for children to travel on school tours
Extend the validity of the parental consent affidavit to six months
To be implemented within a year:
Add visa facilitation centres, including in Zimbabwe, United Arab Emirates and Botswana
Consider a visa-waiver for India, China, Russia and other countries
Look at issuing visas on arrival for persons travelling to SA having in their passports valid visas for the UK, USA and Canada or any other country that applies stringent checks on visitors to their countries, to ease travel for tourists
Consider granting a certain category of frequent travellers (business and academics) from Africa a 10 year multiple entry visitor’s visa
Open two business visa facilitation centres in Durban and Port Elizabeth, in addition to the centre recently opened in Sandton
Print parents’ details in their passports so that they do not have to carry birth certificates
In the long term, one year and beyond:
Install systems for pre-flight checks at international airports
Upgrade advance passenger processing systems and implement passenger name record, to enhance risk assessment
Finalise automation of the visa and permitting system
