Update on partial re-opening of borders

Image via 123RF

This also includes the opening of the tourism industry and promoting trade in order to stimulate economic recovery.
Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane was consulted prior and during the meeting and fully endorses its outcome.

Visa free status

The visa free status of citizens of some countries and territories was temporarily suspended at the start of the lockdown period.

In line with government commitment to take urgent steps to address the economic and tourism stagnation brought about by the outbreak of Covid-19, the visa free status of citizens from the following countries and territories has been re-instated:

• South Korea
• Spain
• Italy
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Singapore
• USA
• UK
• France
• Portugal and
• Iran

However, the visa free status does not alter the current Covid-19 regulations.

Minister Motsoaledi has instructed officials to communicate this decision to the aviation industry, embassies and other stakeholders as a matter of urgency.

Guideline regulating movement of goods

"The port managers have been instructed to adhere to the SADC protocol and guidelines regulating the movement of essential goods under Covid-19 regulations.

"The guidelines regulating truck drivers travelling across the border will continue to apply as has been the case for the past seven months," the Department of Home Affairs said in a statement.

The department said in view of the confusion regarding the 72 hours negative test requirement, it reiterated that business persons providing services across the borders of SADC are allowed multiple entry subject to producing a certificate of negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure. This certificate is valid for 14 days.

Minister Motsoaledi is fully aware of the issue of airline and maritime crews and he has been informed that the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, is resolving the matter and a statement to that effect will hopefully be issued by the Minister of Transport today.

"Immigration officers will be required to assess the movement and place of origin of the traveller and not the country of origin of the airline concerned.

"Transit travellers through South Africa by air will be allowed to connect to their destinations, subject to them complying with applicable health protocols but need not produce the 72 hours negative certificate," the department said.

Visa services resume

As communicated on 30 September 2020, visa services, including submission of applications through VFS Global, have resumed in the following categories:

Visitor’s visas, study visa, treaty visa, business visa, crew visa; medical treatment visa, relative’s visa, general work visa, critical skills work visa, intra-company transfer work visa, retired person visa, corporate visa, exchange visa, waiver of prescribed requirement, as contemplated in section 31(2)(c) and appeals or reviews contemplated in section 8 of the Immigration Act.

Covid-19 business travel

Any person from a country listed as having a high Covid-19 infection and transmission rate, who wishes to undertake a business travel into South Africa, may, in writing, apply to the Minister of Home Affairs and demonstrate reasons for their request to enter the Republic for business purposes during the period of the national state of disaster.

Such applications must be directed to email az.vog.ahd@levarTssenisuB91divoC and supported by:

(a) A copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa
(b) Proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic
(c) Proof of travel itinerary and
(d) Proof of address or accommodation in the Republic

List of high-risk countries

The list of high-risk countries as published on 30 September 2020 is as follows:

1. Albaninia
2. Argentina
3. Armenia
4. Austria
5. Bahrain
6. Belgium
7. Bolivia
8. Bosnia and Herzegovina
9. Brazil
10. Chile
11. Columbia
12. Costa Rica
13. Croatia
14. Czech Republic
15. Denmark
16. Ecuador
17. France
18. Georgia
19. Greece
20. Guatemala
21. Guyana
22. Honduras
23. Hungary
24. Iceland
25. India
26. Iran
27. Iraq
28. Ireland
29. Israel
30. Jamaica
31. Jordan
32. Kuwait
33. Lebanon
34. Luxemburg
35. Maldives
36. Malta
37. Mexico
38. Moldova
39. Montenegro
40. Nepal
41. Netherlands
42. North Macedonia
43. Oman
44. Palestine
45. Panama
46. Paraguay
47. Peru
48. Portugal
49. Puerto Rico
50. Qatar
51. Romania
52. Russia
53. Slovakia
54. Suriname
55. Switzerland
56. Ukraine
57. United Emirates
58. United Kingdom
59. USA
60. Venezuela

The list of these high risk countries will be updated fortnightly and can be accessed on the Home Affairs website: www.dha.gov.za.