Nationals from South Africa will have one less country allowing unrestricted entry to SA passport holders from next year.
Passport holders from South Africa are set to face more entry restrictions.
Image by Tyler Leigh Vivier/Pexels
Passport holders from South Africa are set to face more entry restrictions.
SA passport holders will no longer have unrestricted entry to Israel from 1 January 2025.
INCREASED ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
South African passport holders will indeed have to obtain a pre-approved travel authorisation before travelling to the state of Israel.
This effectively means that South Africans need visas for the entire European area around the Mediterranean, including Israel.
ISRAEL IMPOSES ETA
From 1 January 2025, visitors from visa-exempt countries including South Africa, will be required to obtain Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA-IL) to enter Israel.
According to TravelNews, the ETA-IL has been open for free voluntary applications since 1 July.
The voluntary pilot programme is in operation to familiarise travellers with the new entry system, ahead of its official launch.
ELECTRONIC TRAVEL AUTHORISATION
From the beginning of January South African passport holders will be charged ILS 25 (R126) for Israel’s ETA.
This mandatory electronic travel authorisation must be applied for before arrival in Israel.
Countries like Canada and the United States of America have similar entry restrictions for nationals from visa-exempt nations.
ISRAELI ETA APPLICATION
Applications for an ETA-IL should be submitted at least 72 hours before making other travel arrangements, such as booking air tickets and accommodation.
Applicants will receive a response to their application within 72 hours of submission.
The ETA-IL is valid for two years and allows multiple entries of up to 90 days per visit.
IRELAND REVOKES UNRESTRICTED ENTRY FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Israel’s new entry requirement comes hot on the heels of South African passport holders losing visa-free entry for Ireland.
South African passport holders are now required to obtain a visa before travelling to Ireland. This requirement came into place on Wednesday 10 July.
Furthermore, transit visas are also required if SA passport holders intend to transit through Ireland to other destinations.
REASONS FOR SOUTH AFRICAN ENTRY RESTRICTIONS
The scrapping of visa-free travel arrangements for Ireland comes after alleged abuse of the arrangement by individuals entering Ireland seeking protection.
Ireland had warned in April that it would be reviewing entry requirements for nationals from South Africa. The review thus led to revised entry restrictions for nationals from South Africa being imposed.
In addition, Ireland claims that the introduction of the visa requirement brings Ireland in closer alignment with the entry requirements for the Schengen Area and the United Kingdom.

My husband and I are both foreigners, but we are Permanent Residents in South Africa. Our daughter was born after October 2014. After one week, we got her an unabridged birth certificate with an ID number. One year later, we went to Home Affairs to apply for a South African passport. We were told that if the child of foreigners was born after October 2014, even if they are Permanent Residents, it means that the child is not automatically born as a South African citizen. But since they already granted my daughter an ID number on her birth certificate, we could still apply for a South African passport for her. We got her first South African passport in 2015.

Her passport would have expired in six months, so we went to Home Affairs again to renew her passport. But this time they rejected us and gave the reason that my daughter's birth date is after October 2014, meaning that they will no longer give her a South African passport. We were told that even if she has an ID number on her birth certificate, she will not be granted an ID when she turns 16 years old. We were advised to apply for her passport in our original country's embassy. But the embassy also rejected my daughter's passport application, since our country doesn't admit dual nationalities.

Now, we have no idea what is the next step is, since both sides are not admitting her nationality. What can we do?

The long answer

As you know, the amendments to the Citizenship Act which came into force in 2014 mean that your daughter is no longer granted permanent residence automatically due to your Permanent Resident (PR) status, but needs a visa to be legal. In terms of the amended law, she can apply for citizenship after she turns 18, provided that she has lived in South Africa all her life and her birth has been officially registered.

As you say, your original country also refuses to give her a passport since she has a South African ID number, and neither country allows dual nationality.

Given that her passport is due to expire shortly, it would be best to get legal help from one of the organisations which have a lot of experience in dealing with Home Affairs, which is so often difficult and unhelpful.

Here are the contact details of organisations which you could approach for assistance

Can a non-South African write Grade 12 exams?

The short answer 

Yes, as long as you have some kind of proof of identity. 

The whole question

Is it possible for me to write my Grade 12 exams even though I am not a South African citizen? What do I need for this to be allowed?

The long answer

Yes, you can.

This is because of a very important court case in the Eastern Cape in 2019 in the Makhanda High Court. Judge Selby Mbenenge said that all children had the right to basic education in terms of Section 29 of the Constitution, whether they had official documentation or not.

He found that clauses 15 and 21 of the Schools Admission Policy for Ordinary Public Schools of 1998 were unconstitutional:

Clause 15 said that a parent had to give the school an official birt…

I'm pregnant. What visa options are available to let my boyfriend stay in SA longer than three months?

The short answer 

He could apply for a number of visas: work, critical skills, life partner or (eventually) a relative visa 

The whole question

I have been in a relationship with my Serbian boyfriend for almost two years now. We recently found out that I am pregnant. Although we are not quite ready for marriage yet, we would love to raise our child together. What options do we have in terms of him coming to stay in South Africa for longer than three months at a time on a tourist visa?

The long answer

There are a number of visas that he could apply for, including a work visa, a critical skills visa, a life partner visa or a relative visa. Given the pandemic,…

What can I do to get Home Affairs in to unblock my ID?

A South African woman is fighting for her rights to join her two lovers who are currently in the UK.

Simone Carmen Johnson is part of a polyamorous relationship with two other people.On February 5, Johnson applied for an Unmarried Partner Visa and her application was declined on June 26, citing eligibility relationship requirements under UK immigration rules.

The refusal raised concerns over discrimination and human rights. While unconventional by traditional UK standards, polygamy is legally recognised in SA, and potentially violates Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to family life, and highlights a clash between UK immigration policy and evolving global norms on family structures and LGBTQ+ rights.

In her application to have her UK visa application reconsidered, Johnson said while the refusal letter stated that the relationship does not meet the eligibility relationship requirement, it failed to adequately consider the legality and validity of polygamous marriages and relationships recognised in South Africa.

“The refusal implies a lack of evidence for a genuine and subsisting relationship. This assessment neglects to consider the unique dynamics of polygamous relationships,” the application read.

UK Immigration and British Nationality Senior Manager at Move Up UK Visa Solutions, Gwen Vermeulen, told IOL that their refusal not only tears apart a loving family, but also raises troubling questions about the UK`s commitment to human rights and equality.

`We are urging the UK Home Office to reconsider this decision and recognise the validity of diverse family structures,` Vermeulen said.

She added that the case has drawn support from human rights organisations and LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that the decision reflects outdated views on family and relationships.

According to Vermeulen, a formal request for reconsideration has been filed, citing legal precedents that support the recognition of foreign marriages and relationships.

`If unsuccessful, an appeal will be lodged with the relevant tribunal,` she added.

Bangladesh is reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap the controversial job-quota system
More than 50 people have been killed in the clashes that broke out weeks ago.
A total of 778 Indian students have returned to India from Bangladesh through various land transit points, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday as the neighbouring country continued to reel under deadly clashes over a controversial job-quota system.
Indian missions in Bangladesh are in regular touch with the authorities concerned to ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals and students, the MEA said.
`Thus far, 778 Indian students have returned to India through various land ports. In addition, around 200 students have returned home by regular flight services through Dhaka and Chittagong airports,` the ministry said.
Bangladesh is reeling under deadly clashes, with protesting students demanding that the Sheikh Hasina-led government scrap the controversial job-quota system.
More than 50 people have been killed in the clashes that broke out weeks ago.
ALSO READ: Bangladesh PM Hasina cancels overseas trips as deadly protests escalate
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said the total number of Indian nationals in Bangladesh is estimated to be around 15,000.
The MEA said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka and the assistant high commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Khulna have been assisting the return of Indian nationals home.
`In coordination with the local authorities, measures are being taken by the High Commission and the Assistant High Commissions to facilitate safe travel to the border crossing points along the India-Bangladesh international border,` it said in a statement.
`The MEA is also coordinating with civil aviation, immigration, land ports and BSF authorities to ensure a smooth passage for our citizens,` it added.
The MEA said the Indian High Commission and assistant high commissions are in regular touch with more than 4,000 students remaining in various universities in Bangladesh and are providing necessary assistance.
Students from Nepal and Bhutan have also been assisted with their crossing into India on request, it said.
`Security escorts have also been arranged, where necessary, for their travel by road during repatriation through select land ports,` the MEA said.
`The High Commission in Dhaka is also coordinating with civil aviation authorities of Bangladesh and commercial airlines to ensure uninterrupted flight services to India from Dhaka and Chittagong, which can be used by our nationals to return to home,` it added.

‘We started out with over 306 000 applications in this backlog, and I’m happy to report that we’ve cracked 100 000 now, we’ve cleared more than 30% of that,’ says Minister of Home Affairs, Leon Schreiber.
JEREMY MAGGS: The new Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber, has laid out his priorities saying his department is going to prioritise, among other things, dealing with the massive visa backlog, as well as stabilising the department’s online system. He joins me now and, Minister, first of all then can you provide more details on what specific measures are being taken to address this visa mess?

LEON SCHREIBER: So what we’ve done is to put together a team of people from different departments within Home Affairs who are working around the clock to clear this backlog. We’ve also partnered through Business Unity South Africa with Deloitte, that have given us additional resources in the form, not only of training, but also of people to actually sit around the clock and deal with this backlog.

So we started out with over 306 000 applications in this backlog, and I’m happy to report that we’ve cracked 100 000 now, we’ve cleared more than 30% of that. It’s really a key initial priority in the department to make sure that we get this backlog out of the way, give ourselves breathing space to then reform the way the system operates going forward.

JEREMY MAGGS: So what’s the expected timeline then, Minister, for the remaining 70%?

LEON SCHREIBER: Well, the concession that I granted on the first day in the job is running until the end of the year, and the only way for us to avoid extending that concession for a fourth time would be to actually clear this backlog before then.


So that is obviously the goal that we have in mind, but I’m pushing the team hard and making it clear to them that the sooner we’re able to do this, the better it’s going to be for our ability to avoid a repeat of the situation going forward. But I think it is a really important initial litmus test for whether we can move this department forward with the speed and urgency that is required.

JEREMY MAGGS: You have another issue and that is the Immigration Advisory Board. What immediate actions, Minister, are you expecting from this unit?

LEON SCHREIBER: So that board is in the process of being established. There are a couple of legal processes that we need to go through to advertise and invite people to join it, but essentially what it will do is bring together people from Home Affairs, senior officials from some other key government departments, and then a whole range of experts in the field of immigration and the administration of these processes.

The goal with that board will be to provide a forum where we can firstly repair relationships. I think it’s common knowledge that relationships with stakeholders have really broken down and we need to repair that.

The Department of Home Affairs is embroiled in far too many court cases, for example, that involve routine things where people go to court because they think that’s the only way in which they can actually get the department to act. So the forum will be important to bring those voices together and make sure that we can reduce litigation and improve relationships.

But then secondly, it’s also a powerful instrument for us to make sure that we get proper expert input. The statement of intent of the government of national unity talks very clearly about the need for evidence-based policy, and this is how the advisory board can play a key function in making sure that we get proper inputs on some of the policy matters that we’ll have to tackle.

One of them, of course, being the future of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permit [ZEP]. There are no predetermined agendas in this regard. The court made it clear in its rulings that went all the way to the Constitutional Court, that there must be proper consultation, proper input from experts to make sure that we deal with this particular matter and a range of others. The advisory board is an ideal forum for that.

JEREMY MAGGS: Minister, are you finding within your new department that there is a willingness among people to move quickly, given that this has not been the case in the past? And do you have enough people with the right skills to implement the changes that you are trying to make?

LEON SCHREIBER: Well, there are a couple of things to say in that regard.

The first one is that Home Affairs is massively understaffed. So when you talk about people, we have to start by pointing out that we are supposed to have 18 000 officials. We’ve got just about 6 900 at the moment.

So you can just imagine, massive understaffing is a huge challenge in this department. Despite that there are people who have made it clear that they want to come to the table.

I think there are officials who have not previously necessarily had the space to actually be elevated and empowered to do their job properly. I think we have great opportunities to achieve that by embracing technology, for example. So I think there are people who understand that if you’re that massively understaffed, you’re going to have to be innovative and especially embrace technology.

But, of course, then we also know that there are deep-seated issues of corruption in this department.

There was a report by the former director general [DG] in the presidency around this, and there are investigations from the Special Investigating Unit that are ongoing to make sure that we root out corruption and make sure that there’s a zero-tolerance approach to that.

So I think it’s a matter of finding good officials, elevating them. The people working on the backlog projects certainly are people who are willing to go above and beyond, and I think it’s important that we empower those kinds of officials going forward.

But certainly, there are some key appointments that will have to be made. I’ve got some critical vacancies and I really need to fill those as well going forward to make sure that we strengthen the capacity in the department.

JEREMY MAGGS: How deeply entrenched is the culture of corruption within Home Affairs?

LEON SCHREIBER: Well, I think that’s where the investigation by the former DG, Dr Cassius Lubisi, was really an important moment because it laid bare some of the issues that are manifesting itself really even at frontline level when it comes to permitting processes and applications and so on. So I think that there most definitely is a problem, but this is the kind of thing that you have to tackle as part of a bigger reform agenda.

There are ways in which technology can help reduce corruption, for example.

Then there’s the obvious need for disciplinary processes and prosecutions that reduces corruption. Then there’s the creation of a new culture, working environment, where people actually are rewarded for doing their job and going above and beyond, that also provides incentives to reduce corruption.

So I think weaved into everything we need to do at this department is the theme of making sure that we deal with this. But it’s a multifaceted approach and it involves a number of different reforms. It’s not only one thing, one silver bullet that’s going to solve this problem.

JEREMY MAGGS: How are you going to manage and reduce long queues?

LEON SCHREIBER: Well, I’m looking at a couple of ideas on how to do this. I think the first thing that will make a huge difference is simply getting the online system to be online. I’ve said repeatedly now that the idea of the system being offline is something that must become anathema in Home Affairs. It’s not a joke, it’s not funny. It’s not something we can accept.

So there are some ways in which we could do simple things like speeding up the internet connections. You would be surprised that some of these major Home Affairs offices are currently connected to lines with 10 megabyte per second speeds. That is just not sufficient. So there are a whole range of technological steps that we need to take.

But then I think the other thing we need to do is examine how to make better use of the online appointment system. My view is that one of the problems we have is that the queues are actually not integrated. So in other words, there are people who would make online appointments and show up in the timeframe that they’re required to be there, but then there are of course also walk-ins at many offices. That creates a real problem then with actually honouring the online booking appointments.

I think what we need to do is find ways of integrating the queues so that you have one queue to manage.

Finally, I would say that there are some innovative ideas coming. There’s one office in Epping, in Cape Town that has put together what they call the one-stop-shop model, where instead of having to go to a separate photo booth and a separate cashier, often that creates the bottlenecks, you’ll be able to go to a counter and get the full service, the photo, the payment, the processing, all in one spot. These things sound like simple things, Jeremy, but I think if we do these things right, you actually will see an impact on reducing the queues.

JEREMY MAGGS: Minister Leon Schreiber, thank you very much indeed.