05/10/2020
SOUTH AFRICA: SA opens up visa-free travel for 11 countries
Home Affairs minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has announced visa-free travel for 11 countries in an effort to boost tourism to the country, AP reports.
In a media briefing on Sunday (October, 4), Motsoaledi said that the visa-free status of citizens of some countries and territories was temporarily suspended at the start of the lockdown period and in line with the commitment of Government to take urgent steps to address the economic and tourism stagnation brought about by the outbreak of Covid-19, visa-free status of citizens from a number of countries and territories has been reinstated.
The countries include (bolded are high risk):
• South Korea;
• Spain;
• Italy;
• Germany;
• Hong Kong;
• Singapore;
• USA;
• UK;
• France;
• Portugal;
• Iran.
However, the minister said that visa-free status does not alter the current Covid-19 regulations.
The minister said that immigration officers will be required to assess the movement and place of origin of the traveller and not the country of origin of the airline concerned.
Transit travellers through South Africa by air will be allowed to connect to their destinations, subject to them complying with applicable health protocols but need not produce the 72 hours negative certificate.
Any person from a country listed as having a high Covid-19 infection and transmission rate, who wishes to undertake business travel into South Africa, may, in writing, apply to the Department of Home Affairs and demonstrate reasons for their request to enter the Republic for business purposes during the period of the national state of disaster.
Such applications must be directed to email [email protected] and supported by:
• A copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa;
• Proof of business activities to be undertaken in the republic;
• Proof of travel itinerary; and
• proof of address or accommodation in the republic.
All other categories of travellers from medium and low-risk countries are required to produce a certificate of negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure.