South Africa is set to launch its electronic visas (e-visas) pilot scheme in November, according to the country’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Southern Africa Tourism Services Association’s (Satsa) chief executive David Frost said the introduction of e-visas was “huge news” for the inbound tourism industry. “This effectively removes a massive tourism obstacle,” he was quoted as saying by the South African as saying.
“As an industry we need to eliminate as many barriers to inbound tourism as we can in order to grow tourism to South Africa.”
Deputy Director-General in The Presidency, Busani Ngcaweni said the new system was part of the government’s efforts to reduce bureaucratic red tape.
“This includes simplifying our tourist visa regimes, … [it] promises to be a game-changer,” he said.
The system will allow applicants to access their documents online, eliminating the need to visit South African missions abroad.
Meanwhile, South Africa also simplified visa requirements for countries like China and India.
The country also recently waived visas for Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, New Zealand, Cuba, Ghana, and São Tomé and Principe.
“The Department of Home Affairs is constantly reviewing its operations to ensure that we relax entry requirements without compromising our responsibility towards the safety and security of our citizens,” said minister of home affairs Aaron Motsoaledi.
“But one only has to look at how tourism numbers decreased from New Zealand in 2017 when visas became mandatory for visitors to South Africa, to be able to ascertain the positive impact the reverse would have,” said Frost.
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