New visa regulations continue to cause a stir

Jaimie-faith Poonah
03 June 2015

The Western Cape Department of Economic Opportunities has confirmed that the Red Tape Reduction Unit has managed to save a tour group from India trip to the province.

This as the group of international tourists from India was denied a visa because one of the children travelling with the group did not have an unabridged birth certificate.

The new visa regulations came into effect on the 1^st of June and require that children travelling in and out of the country have an unabridged birth certificate in their possession.

Ministerial Spokesperson Bronwynne Jooste said Minister Winde received a concern from a tour operator in India, that one of the children travelling in the tour group’s visa has not been granted.

Jooste said our Red Tape Reduction Unit attended to it immediately, we assisted the tour operator and we were happy to receive word today that the tour group will be travelling to the Western Cape.

Jooste added that Minister Winde believes that this just underscores the importance that all the departments of Home Affairs official need to understand the new legislation thoroughly, so that we do not add further burden to potential visitors to our region.