Visa Box South Africa

07/02/2025

How the New ETIAS Travel Rules Will Impact UK Travelers and Transform Future Journeys to the Schengen Area

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/how-the-new-etias-travel-rules-will-impact-uk-travelers-and-transform-future-journeys-to-the-schengen-area/

(Source: Travel and Tour World)

UK travelers will soon need an ETIAS waiver to visit the EU. The new entry-exit system, costing €7, will require biometric data and may cause delays at airports and ports. Learn more about this change.

24/01/2025

Do you need to renew your British passport? Visa Box can assist you with this.

We offer the following services:
- Provide you with your document requirement list.
- Review all of your supporting documents which can first be scanned through to us, before sending the application through to our office.
- We can order British birth certificates on your behalf (if required).
- Complete the online application forms on your behalf.
- Make online card payments for your British passport application.
- We would arrange an international courier to get your complete passport application from our Cape Town office to the HM Passport Office in the UK. Your new British passport will then be couriered to your address with DHL.

Please feel free to contact Visa Box for a free quote:
Tel: (021) 551 8829
Email: [email protected]

Visa and UK immigration specialists...

23/01/2025

Kenya eases travel requirements for nearly all African visitors

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8505g6n1lo

(Source: BBC)

Libya and Somalia are excluded from the waiver due to security concerns.

22/01/2025

South Africa’s passport shoots up 2025 global rankings

https://businesstech.co.za/news/lifestyle/806616/south-africas-passport-gets-stronger-in-2025-shoots-up-the-global-rankings/

(Source: BusinessTech)

South Africa’s passport ranked among the top 50 strongest passports in the world—with the last time being in 2014.

22/01/2025

Big passport changes coming for South Africa

https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/807079/big-passport-changes-coming-for-south-africa/

(Source: BusinessTech)

The Department of Home Affairs says that it has plans and proposals to make South Africa’s passports even stronger and more secure.

13/01/2025

World’s Most Powerful Passports for Visa-Free Travel in 2025

https://travelobiz.com/worlds-most-powerful-passports-for-visa-free-travel-in-2025/

(Source: Travelo Biz)

Discover the world's most and least powerful passports in 2025, with Singapore topping the list and Afghanistan at the bottom.

10/01/2025

Visa-waiver system could overwhelm UK immigration services, law firm warns

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/10/visa-waiver-system-could-overwhelm-uk-immigration-services-law-firm-warns

(Source: The Guardian)

There are also fears electronic travel authorisation will threaten post-peace tourism sector in Northern Ireland

10/01/2025

All the bank branches where South Africans can get a new passport and smart ID

https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/805584/all-the-bank-branches-where-south-africans-can-get-a-new-passport-and-smart-id/

(Source: Business Tech)

There are 30 bank branches in South Africa where people can get a new passport or smart ID.

07/01/2025

Visa, ETA, Passport… these destinations are changing their travel formalities in 2025

https://visasnews.com/en/visa-eta-passport-these-destinations-are-changing-their-travel-formalities-in-2025/

(Source: Visas News)

Planning to travel in 2025? Here’s a rundown of the new entry requirements being introduced by various destinations: ETA in the UK and Israel, visas in Namibia, ETIAS in Europe, and more. Here’s everything you need to know to prepare your trips and avoid unpleasant surprises at border checkpoint...

07/01/2025

Ghana ends visa requirements for Africans

https://www.africanews.com/2025/01/02/ghana-ends-visa-requirements-for-africans/

(Source: Africa News)

Beginning in early 2025, Ghana is allowing visa free entry to citizens of all countries in Africa. It's hoped that the new approach will increase tourism, trade and travel to the nation.

07/01/2025

Visitors to the UK from 48 countries must now apply and pay a fee before travel

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/uk-eta-visa-travel-2025/index.html

(Source: CNN Travel)

The Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, kicks in on January 8 for travelers from 48 countries around the world, when entering the UK. The ETA – which must be applied for before travel — will last two years and cost $12.50.

20/12/2024

20/12/2024

Travel without borders: These are the most powerful passports in the world

https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/12/18/travel-without-borders-these-are-the-most-powerful-passports-in-the-world

(Source: EWN)

The UAE has visa-free access to 90% of the countries in the world, according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index.

10/12/2024

Heading to Dubai? Take note of tighter tourist visa requirements

https://www.thesouthafrican.com/travel/heading-to-dubai-take-note-of-tighter-tourist-visa-requirements/

(Source: The South African)

Dubai's tourist visa requirements have been tightened to manage the growing number of visitors and compliance with rules.

02/12/2024

Check if you can get an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for the UK

An ETA allows you to travel to the UK to visit for up to 6 months. Whether you can apply depends on:

- the date you travel
- your nationality as shown on your passport

This list includes countries from within the European Union, North America, the Middle East, the Caribbean and many more.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-when-you-can-get-an-electronic-travel-authorisation-eta

(Source: GOV.UK)

List of nationalities that that can apply for an ETA now or will be able to apply later.

29/11/2024

UK opens pre-travel requirement to non-Europeans

"... The UK Government is introducing Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for millions of visitors who pass through the UK border every year, including six million from the USA, Canada, and Australia. From today all eligible non-European visitors can apply for an ETA and will need one to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025 ..."

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-opens-pre-travel-requirement-to-non-europeans

(Source: GOV.UK)

Non-Europeans can now apply in advance for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and will need one to travel to the UK from January 2025.

11/11/2024

8 essential tips to avoid holiday flight delays in South Africa

https://www.iol.co.za/travel/travel-tips/8-essential-tips-to-avoid-holiday-flight-delays-in-south-africa-8e85bca8-1790-4fd6-8df8-b709a5257251

(Source: IOL)

From choosing the right flight times to understanding insurance coverage, here's your complete guide to hassle-free holiday travel.

11/11/2024

Concourt deliberates on DA Abroad’s citizenship challenge

"... The Constitutional Court has reserved its judgment in the matter between Home Affairs and DA Abroad following the SCA ruling of 2023 allowing South Africans with dual citizenship to automatically retain their SA citizenship ..."

https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/concourt-deliberates-on-da-abroads-citizenship-challenge-922420fd-d4ca-4f5d-914c-0d4ececf56fa

Source: IOL

This legislation stipulates that South Africans automatically forfeit their citizenship if they acquire a second nationality while not being a minor, except in cases of marriage, unless they proactively apply for a ‘retention of citizenship’ document from the Minister of Home Affairs.