Unabridged Birth Certificates Update August 2016
Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, provided attendees of the SATSA Conference with some further details on the department’s efforts to implement Cabinet’s recommended amendments to South Africa’s controversial visa regulations.
While progress has been made in terms of dropping the in-person visa application requirement, particularly in India and China, the unabridged birth certificate requirement remains in effect for travellers from visa-exempt countries.
He explained that according to the Immigration Act, the gazetted recommendations could only be changed by a regulation board. Unfortunately, this board was not in place until recently, but now that it has been appointed, the department has been able to begin the process of formulating the amendments to the regulations.
Minister Hanekom also advised that that the regulations will be amended to include a “strong advisory note” stating that travellers with children should be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate, as in the event of any suspicion, they will need to be able to prove the relationship between themselves and the child they are travelling with.
While progress has been made in terms of dropping the in-person visa application requirement, particularly in India and China, the unabridged birth certificate requirement remains in effect for travellers from visa-exempt countries.He explained that according to the Immigration Act, the gazetted recommendations could only be changed by a regulation board. Unfortunately, this board was not in place until recently, but now that it has been appointed, the department has been able to begin the process of formulating the amendments to the regulations.
Minister Hanekom also advised that that the regulations will be amended to include a “strong advisory note” stating that travellers with children should be in possession of an unabridged birth certificate, as in the event of any suspicion, they will need to be able to prove the relationship between themselves and the child they are travelling with.