South African Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom has confirmed that the SA government will be reissuing an advisory to clarify the recent changes to the regulations requiring the parents of foreign minors to produce Unabridged Birth Certificates when arriving in the country.
Speaking at the Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa, Hanekom admitted that the changed regulations had been communicated badly.
He confirmed that the advisory issued by the Department of Home Affairs had been “contradictory” to the amended regulations and added that this had contributed to the airline and travel industry’s confusion.
The revised regulations are:
- If two parents are travelling from visa-free markets with their children, no documentation will be required
- Any documentation that is required does not have to be obtained through a “sworn affidavit process”
- In the event of suspicion, children who are foreign nationals and who are visa-exempt are strongly advised to carry supporting documents.