In a bid to increase tourism, the Department of Home Affairs has relaxed travel rules for foreigners visiting South Africa with minors.
Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba announced on Tuesday that documentation proving parental consent for a minor to travel is no longer a requirement. However, it is strongly recommended that travellers carry this documentation, he said.
"Our immigration officials will only insist on documentation by exception – in high-risk situations – rather than for all travellers, in line with practice by several other countries," Gigaba said.
#Gigabavisa one of the changes include that foreigners will have an opportunity to prove parental consent if a travelling minor doesn't have the correct documentation @TeamNews24
— Alex Mitchley (@AlexMitchley) September 25, 2018
He added that instead of being denied entry where documentation is absent, travellers will be given the opportunity to prove parental consent.
Gigaba said these changes would be implemented before the festive season.
South Africans, however, will still be required to prove parental consent and have an unabridged birth certificate if they want to travel abroad with their minor children.
Gigaba also announced a passport for minors that will eventually see the end of unabridged birth certificates as the document will have the contact details of both parents.
These amendments follow the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday on changes to the visa regime as part of the economic stimulus and recovery plan.
A copy of the new Home Affairs minor passport that has just been distributed to the media during a briefing by Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba on visa related changes following the stimulus package announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa last Friday. pic.twitter.com/289K3THzuQ
— Justin Brown (@JustinBrownSA) September 25, 2018
RT @JustinBrownSA: Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba is this morning holding a briefing in Pretoria on visa changes announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last Friday. pic.twitter.com/NegkzObaDZ
— City Press (@City_Press) September 25, 2018
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