S. Africa withdraws free visa travel for New Zealanders

The South African government announced Tuesday that New Zealand citizens will have to obtain a visa to visit the country with effect from January 16th, 2017.

The Minister of Home Affairs, Malusi Gigaba said this while briefing the media in Pretoria on Tuesday. This follows the announcement by New Zealand that visiting their country from South Africa has to apply for a visa.

New Zealand said this was caused by a number of South Africans being turned away at the border than any other waiver country. Gigaba said in introducing the visas for New Zealanders they have applied the principle of reciprocity in international relations.

He pointed that they are applying it in a pragmatic manner in line with national interests.

Gigaba said, "South Africa has, for some time now, adopted a visa policy which is based on the principle of reciprocity. Therefore, in view of the afore-mentioned, a decision was taken to reciprocate by withdrawing the visa exemption which New Zealand passport holders enjoy."

He said New Zealanders arriving after January 16, 2017 will not be allowed into the country without visas. They will be required to pay R425 (About 30 U.S. dollars) to apply for visa to visit South Africa.

Gigaba said South Africa will endeavor to get free visa entry into countries where there's vast economic opportunities for their citizens. South African citizens with genuine passports are not a threat to countries with improved security systems.

South Africa has introduced biometric measures to improve security at points of exit and entry. Visitors' fingerprints are taken for security reasons.

Gigaba said they are also scrutinizing countries who have imposed visa requirements to their citizens and might also reciprocate.

He said, "South Africa on its part should not unduly impose severe restrictions on other states and their citizens wishing to travel to our country. It is not our policy to deter foreign visitors or to reduce the flow of tourists, business people and other travelers to our country. Immigration, particularly for development, is high on our agenda, and thus the current endeavor on our part comprehensively to review our international migration policy."

Gigaba noted that the introduction of visa requirements by some countries have inconvenienced the South African citizens and made the country appear unsafe in the eyes of the international community.

It takes about six weeks to process a visa to New Zealand. The visitor has to pay 130 U.S. dollars for applications. South Africans passing through New Zealand also have to apply the transit visa.

New Zealand joins countries such as the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia that want visas from South Africans. New Zealand said they have been picked up many counterfeit or fraudulently obtained South African passports. Endit