News | Mezzanine

South Africa included on Visa free list to Indonesia

2015-05-13T08:28:43+00:00

Indonesia will soon allow tourists from an additional 30 countries to visit without a visa.

Yellow fever Vaccination requirement lifted

2015-05-13T08:26:17+00:00

Travelers from Zambia, Tanzania, Eritrea, Sao Tome and Principe will no longer be required to produce proof of the yellow fever certificate when coming to South Africa after they were included on the World Health Organization low risk yellow fever countries list. During the 136th session of the WHO Executive Board meeting, a review of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination was conducted and based on the recommendations of the meeting, all travelers arriving into the country from these countries will NOT be required to produce proof of vaccination against yellow fever.

The provision is with immediate effect.

In line with the International Health Regulations (2005), South Africa requires a valid yellow fever certificate from all citizens and non-citizens over one year of age:

Travelling from a yellow fever risk country, or
Having been in transit exceeding 12 hours, through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

The International Health Regulations (2005) requires countries at risk of yellow fever introduction to employ the following measures:

Obtain vaccination certificates from individuals travelling from areas determined by the WHO to be at risk of yellow fever transmission. As a result, South Africa implements the following measures for all travelers from yellow fever risk countries who are unable to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at the point of entry:
Refuse entry, or
Place traveler under quarantine surveillance until their certificate becomes valid, or for a period of not more than six days

Travellers who are in possession of an exemption certificate due to medical reasons will be:

Allowed entry,
Required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities, and
Be placed under quarantine surveillance.

NB: Definition of a valid yellow fever vaccinationa certificate: Vaccine should be approved by the WHO and administered at least 10 days before departure for South Africa at a yellow fever approved vaccination center. The vaccine offers protection 10 days after administration.

Issued by the Ministry of Health

Date: 3 February 2015

Source

Birth Certificate for under 18's required for travel

2015-05-13T08:21:29+00:00

A new immigration law is coming into effect on 1 June 2015. Please note that this law was originally meant to come into effect on 1 October 2014, however, after engaging stakeholders on the matter, the Department has granted the postponement of the two particular requirements -- the unabridged birth certificate and written permission, to 1 June 2015.

Under the new law, all minors (children under the age of 18 years) will be required to produce, in addition to their passport, an Unabridged Birth Certificate (showing the particulars of both parents) when exiting and entering South African ports of entry.

Why is it happening? This is being done to curb human trafficking. According to the Department of Home Affairs, 30 000 minors are trafficked through South African borders every year. 50% of these minors are under the age of 14.

When the new immigration regulation comes into effect on 01/06/2015, it will be the responsibility of passengers to ensure their children have the correct documentation or risk being denied boarding. The new law will be enforced by airlines and immigration officials across the board (land, sea and air) Although airlines and travel agents are doing everything to keep passengers informed, ultimately it will be passengers’ responsibility to know what is required of them. In all cases an Unabridged Birth Certificate will be required for minors departing and arriving in South Africa ... they will not be allowed to travel without it.

In cases where the Unabridged Birth Certificate is in a language other than English, it must be accompanied by a sworn translation issued by a competent authority in the country concerned.

Children travelling with only one parent

When a child travels with only one parent, additional documents should include an affidavit in which the absent parent gives consent for the child to travel, a court order granting full parental responsibilities or legal guardianship of the child, or the death certificate of the absent parent. The affidavit should be no more than 3 months old from date of travel.

Children travelling without either parent

In the case of a child travelling with a person other than a parent, the Unabridged Birth Certificate must be supplemented by affidavits from the parents or legal guardians confirming that the child may travel with that person, copies of the ID documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian, and the contact details of the parents or legal guardian.

Similarly, a child travelling as an unaccompanied minor would have to produce not only the Unabridged Birth Certificate, but also proof of consent from both parents or legal guardians and contact details, plus documentation relating to the person receiving the child in South Africa. The latter documentation should include a letter stating the person’s contact details and residential address, contact details where the child will be residing, plus a copy of his or her ID document, passport or residence permit.

Source

Travel News Alerts

2014-08-11T11:00:38+00:00

From1 October all children under the age of 18 must have an unabridged birth certificate when travelling in and out of South Africa.

"As of 1 October 2014, when parents are travelling with a child, such parents must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child. Provision is also made for one parent travelling with a child and where one parent or both parents are deceased or the child is travelling with a relative or another person. Other requirements are listed below and detailed in the Immigration Regulations, 2014." Read More

Travel News Alerts - 13 May 2014

2014-05-13T09:04:27+00:00

Manston Airport in Kent will close down later this week. The loss-making airport will close on Thursday, May 15, after a US firm's offer to buy the site was rejected last Monday and another bid fell through in April.

Smog alert issued: A heat wave is creating unhealthy smog levels in San Francisco’s Bay Area this week, with a second consecutive alert called for today. The poor air quality could linger through tomorrow and Thursday. For health reasons, officials advise those in the area to limit strenuous outdoor activities to early morning hours when smog levels are lower. Smog concentrations typically peak at around 17h00 in the Bay Area.

Malawi will hold a general election May 20. Nationwide campaigning and political rallies drawing large crowds are expected. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises people to avoid large gatherings and to remain vigilant at all times. Travellers should monitor local media and take extra care on election day, and during the period after the results are announced.

Belgium - Visa changes: The Embassy of Belgium in Cape Town has increased the cost of its short-stay and long-stay visas. For more info, contact one of our travel consultants.