As of this month, South African passport holders will require a visa to visit or transit the UK – a move which will affect up to 400,000 travellers each year, despite assurances that the new rules will not impact trade between the two countries…
Although the new visa requirement has already been introduced, if you are a South African national who has previously travelled to the UK on your current passport, you will be exempt from the visa requirement until mid-2009.
South Africa is not the only country to have been hit by these new visas – the UK has been conducting a global review of its pre-entry immigration controls and is committed to strengthening its borders. In total, nearly 75 per cent of the world’s population is subject to a visa requirement prior to travelling to the UK.
However, the South African passport has been one of the most abused passports detected at UK border posts and, over the last two years, there has also been a significant increase in the number of South African nationals detected working illegally or overstaying after their leave to remain in the UK has expired.
The British High Commissioner, the Rt Hon Paul Boateng said, “The introduction of a visa requirement is in no way a reflection of any deterioration in our continuing and strong relationship with South Africa.
“We are committed to continuing to welcome South Africans travelling for legitimate reasons to the UK.
“The UK remains a favourite destination for both business and tourism for South Africans and will continue to be so. Our aim is to provide a first class service to all. Visas will provide added security and protection for travellers to the UK.
“This, together with the introduction of biometrics, will ultimately provide a safer and better experience for the ordinary travelling public,” added Mr Boateng.
The new visa rules aim to reduce the risk of South African passengers being unnecessarily delayed on arrival in the UK because of current concerns over the security of South African passports.
The new rules may not be permanent but will depend on whether or not the situation of wrongly used passports improves.
Carry on trading
The new regulations are not expected to impact trade between South Africa and the UK.
South African Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said, “No plans or programmes in terms of trade will be derailed.”
“The UK has written us a letter, acknowledging that we are doing a lot to improve the security of our passports and identity documents,” she added.
Plans are also afoot to introduce a ‘smart card passport’ instead of the traditional scanned barcode. These new passports, which will be far more secure, could be completed as early as next month.
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