Airlines warn SA of potential tourism disaster
Twenty airlines have written an open letter to government warning about the impact of new visa requirements.
http://ewn.co.za/2014/08/12/20-airlines-...quirements
Stepehen Grootes | 2 months ago
![[Image: B869347D46C34FC595D2698D4F1F71CF.ashx?as...amp;crop=1]]()
JOHANNESBURG – Twenty international airlines from countries like Rwanda, the United Kingdom, China and Mauritius have now written an open letter to government warning that new visa requirements are going to be a public relations and tourism disaster for the country.
The new requirements make it compulsory for children travelling to South Africa to have their unabridged birth certificates with them.
The airlines say the rule appears to be based on incorrect information and that the Department of Home Affairs is trying to solve the right problems in the wrong way.
Virgin Atlantic's Simon Newton-Smith says the policy means that international passports are rendered useless for any person under 18.
“The requirements for under eighteens to travel with an unabridged birth certificate is such a unique requirement and is set to be a PR and tourism disaster for South Africa.”
But Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says the new requirements are completely reasonable.
“We just want proof of the birth of a child as is provided in the birth country.”
Gigaba says the new regulations are not too onerous and parents can use their country's equivalent of the documents while travelling.
He says they're still prepared to negotiate about most of these new rules.
“What we will not discuss is the requirement that people applying for visas to come to South Africa must do so physically at our offices.”
To view the new regulations, click here.
ZIMBABWEANS’ WORK VISAS TO BE EXTENDED
Gigaba says an aid scheme that allowed Zimbabweans to flee the political crisis on four-year work visas will be extended.
The minister implemented a new scheme that will see thousands of Zimbabweans living in the country applying for the special permit that will be valid for three years.
In 2009, government approved the dispensation allowing Zimbabwean holders of the special permit to work, conduct business and study in the country.
The minister says these permits will start expiring at the end of the year.
“From 1 October, we’ll open centres for the applications of Zimbabweans who currently hold dispensation.”
Gigaba fails to attend immigration hearings
State law advisor Enver Daniels had to explain why the minister failed to show up.
Pippa Green | 2 days ago
http://ewn.co.za/2014/09/26/Gigaba-fails...e-hearings
![[Image: A4C825F8F39E43FC91B9FC05D8B74A7E.ashx?as...amp;crop=1]]()
CAPE TOWN - Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba on Friday failed to turn up at Western Cape Provincial Legislature hearings examining the impact of new immigration regulations.
Instead, a chief state law advisor addressed the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Economic Development, explaining why the minister didn't show up.
State law advisor Enver Daniels said the minister was summoned to appear before the committee to "engage" with it on the effect new immigration regulations, which may have an impact on economic development.
But he said the summons was worded in a clumsy way.
Daniels says the committee cannot summon a minister to test his ideas on the regulations as implied by the word "engage".
This does not mean provincial government will never summon a minister.
Daniels says in this case, it was outside the law.
The advisor asked the legislature to withdraw the summons, adding Gigaba will be happy to engage with the committee under different circumstances.
South Africa: SA "Ready" for Zimbabwean Special Permit
25 September 2014
By Savious Kwinika
http://allafrica.com/stories/201409261410.html
Pretoria — SOUTH expressed readiness to accept applications for the Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) project.
Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, disclosed on Thursday the applications would be done online, effective next week, at a cost of R870.
"As the Department of Home Affairs will begin accepting applications via the website for the ZSP on October 1, 2014, we would like to take this opportunity to update stakeholders and the public on the implementation of the ZSP. In short, the Department is ready.
"We, along with our application processing partner, VFS, have completed all the necessary preparations to process all prospective applications for the ZSP,"Gigaba said in Pretoria.
He said VFS had secured all the 10 ZSP Application Centres. These include totally new centres in the provinces of Gauteng (Midrand), Western Cape (Cape Town), Limpopo (Polokwane) and Kwazulu-Natal (Durban).
The remaining six centres are in George, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and Rustenburg.
"Capacity has been set aside within our Permitting section to be able to process the applications. From October 1st, Zimbabweans will be able to apply online as per the initial plan.
"To this end, a website will be up and running to allow this process to take off," said Gigaba.
Currently there are 120 dedicated staff members who will be dealing with ZSP adjudication.
Gigaba explained the introduction of the administration fee.
Previously, the permits were at no cost.
"We believe this fee is reasonable, when compared with visas and permits of similar duration.
"It is also reasonable, when considering the infrastructure we are setting up to allow applicants to apply here in South Africa, without having to leave the country as would usually be required, with associated travel costs for applicants."
Approximately 245 000 holders of the Dispensation for Zimbabweans Project (DZP) are eligible to apply for the ZSP.
Limit overseas tourist but invite more Zimbabweans (political asylum-seekers) into the country (I'm trying not to be xenophobic but seriously?! who helps grow the economy more...)
New visa law harmful to local film industry
The Department of Home Affairs now prohibits foreigners from using agents for visa applications.
Rahima Essop | 4 months ago
http://ewn.co.za/2014/06/04/New-visa-law...m-industry
![[Image: 282B59001C7D4B75877C04282F6945D4.ashx?as...amp;crop=1]]()
CAPE TOWN - The Cape Film Commission says South Africa’s strict new visa rules are threatening to make the country less attractive to foreign film crews.
Cape Town has become a popular destination for film shoots and television shows, but the commission warns Home Affairs may be throwing a spanner in the works.
The new rules prohibits foreigners from using agents for visa applications and visitors are also not allowed to renew or change their status if already in the country.
“From what we’ve seen already, it’s going to have quite a significant impact, specifically on inbound productions, major international productions where we’re trying to bring talent, directors and producers into the country.”
The film industry in Cape Town contributes billions to the local economy.
Twenty airlines have written an open letter to government warning about the impact of new visa requirements.
http://ewn.co.za/2014/08/12/20-airlines-...quirements
Stepehen Grootes | 2 months ago
![[Image: B869347D46C34FC595D2698D4F1F71CF.ashx?as...amp;crop=1]](http://ewn.co.za/-/media/B869347D46C34FC595D2698D4F1F71CF.ashx?as=1&h=289&w=463&crop=1)
JOHANNESBURG – Twenty international airlines from countries like Rwanda, the United Kingdom, China and Mauritius have now written an open letter to government warning that new visa requirements are going to be a public relations and tourism disaster for the country.
The new requirements make it compulsory for children travelling to South Africa to have their unabridged birth certificates with them.
The airlines say the rule appears to be based on incorrect information and that the Department of Home Affairs is trying to solve the right problems in the wrong way.
Virgin Atlantic's Simon Newton-Smith says the policy means that international passports are rendered useless for any person under 18.
“The requirements for under eighteens to travel with an unabridged birth certificate is such a unique requirement and is set to be a PR and tourism disaster for South Africa.”
But Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba says the new requirements are completely reasonable.
“We just want proof of the birth of a child as is provided in the birth country.”
Gigaba says the new regulations are not too onerous and parents can use their country's equivalent of the documents while travelling.
He says they're still prepared to negotiate about most of these new rules.
“What we will not discuss is the requirement that people applying for visas to come to South Africa must do so physically at our offices.”
To view the new regulations, click here.
ZIMBABWEANS’ WORK VISAS TO BE EXTENDED
Gigaba says an aid scheme that allowed Zimbabweans to flee the political crisis on four-year work visas will be extended.
The minister implemented a new scheme that will see thousands of Zimbabweans living in the country applying for the special permit that will be valid for three years.
In 2009, government approved the dispensation allowing Zimbabwean holders of the special permit to work, conduct business and study in the country.
The minister says these permits will start expiring at the end of the year.
“From 1 October, we’ll open centres for the applications of Zimbabweans who currently hold dispensation.”
Gigaba fails to attend immigration hearings
State law advisor Enver Daniels had to explain why the minister failed to show up.
Pippa Green | 2 days ago
http://ewn.co.za/2014/09/26/Gigaba-fails...e-hearings
![[Image: A4C825F8F39E43FC91B9FC05D8B74A7E.ashx?as...amp;crop=1]](http://ewn.co.za/-/media/A4C825F8F39E43FC91B9FC05D8B74A7E.ashx?as=1&h=289&w=463&crop=1)
CAPE TOWN - Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba on Friday failed to turn up at Western Cape Provincial Legislature hearings examining the impact of new immigration regulations.
Instead, a chief state law advisor addressed the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Economic Development, explaining why the minister didn't show up.
State law advisor Enver Daniels said the minister was summoned to appear before the committee to "engage" with it on the effect new immigration regulations, which may have an impact on economic development.
But he said the summons was worded in a clumsy way.
Daniels says the committee cannot summon a minister to test his ideas on the regulations as implied by the word "engage".
This does not mean provincial government will never summon a minister.
Daniels says in this case, it was outside the law.
The advisor asked the legislature to withdraw the summons, adding Gigaba will be happy to engage with the committee under different circumstances.
South Africa: SA "Ready" for Zimbabwean Special Permit
25 September 2014
By Savious Kwinika
http://allafrica.com/stories/201409261410.html
Pretoria — SOUTH expressed readiness to accept applications for the Zimbabwean Special Permit (ZSP) project.
Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, disclosed on Thursday the applications would be done online, effective next week, at a cost of R870.
"As the Department of Home Affairs will begin accepting applications via the website for the ZSP on October 1, 2014, we would like to take this opportunity to update stakeholders and the public on the implementation of the ZSP. In short, the Department is ready.
"We, along with our application processing partner, VFS, have completed all the necessary preparations to process all prospective applications for the ZSP,"Gigaba said in Pretoria.
He said VFS had secured all the 10 ZSP Application Centres. These include totally new centres in the provinces of Gauteng (Midrand), Western Cape (Cape Town), Limpopo (Polokwane) and Kwazulu-Natal (Durban).
The remaining six centres are in George, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit and Rustenburg.
"Capacity has been set aside within our Permitting section to be able to process the applications. From October 1st, Zimbabweans will be able to apply online as per the initial plan.
"To this end, a website will be up and running to allow this process to take off," said Gigaba.
Currently there are 120 dedicated staff members who will be dealing with ZSP adjudication.
Gigaba explained the introduction of the administration fee.
Previously, the permits were at no cost.
"We believe this fee is reasonable, when compared with visas and permits of similar duration.
"It is also reasonable, when considering the infrastructure we are setting up to allow applicants to apply here in South Africa, without having to leave the country as would usually be required, with associated travel costs for applicants."
Approximately 245 000 holders of the Dispensation for Zimbabweans Project (DZP) are eligible to apply for the ZSP.
Limit overseas tourist but invite more Zimbabweans (political asylum-seekers) into the country (I'm trying not to be xenophobic but seriously?! who helps grow the economy more...)
New visa law harmful to local film industry
The Department of Home Affairs now prohibits foreigners from using agents for visa applications.
Rahima Essop | 4 months ago
http://ewn.co.za/2014/06/04/New-visa-law...m-industry
![[Image: 282B59001C7D4B75877C04282F6945D4.ashx?as...amp;crop=1]](http://ewn.co.za/-/media/282B59001C7D4B75877C04282F6945D4.ashx?as=1&h=289&w=463&crop=1)
CAPE TOWN - The Cape Film Commission says South Africa’s strict new visa rules are threatening to make the country less attractive to foreign film crews.
Cape Town has become a popular destination for film shoots and television shows, but the commission warns Home Affairs may be throwing a spanner in the works.
The new rules prohibits foreigners from using agents for visa applications and visitors are also not allowed to renew or change their status if already in the country.
“From what we’ve seen already, it’s going to have quite a significant impact, specifically on inbound productions, major international productions where we’re trying to bring talent, directors and producers into the country.”
The film industry in Cape Town contributes billions to the local economy.