Scrap of transit visa 'welcome'
29/06/2006 19:13

Johannesburg - South African Airways (SAA) has welcomed a decision by Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula to remove the requirement for foreigners to apply for transit visas for South Africa.

"SAA has long been a supporter of the 'South to South' initiative to encourage trade and investment between the South East Asian, South American and South African markets," said spokesperson Jacqui O'Sullivan on Thursday.

She said the transit visa policy had hindered that initiative by creating obstacles for business people.

Mapisa-Nqakula said earlier: "I have decided to suspend the requirement for transit visas for all countries... In the meantime, I will commission a study into international best practices relating to transit visas."

SAA welcomed the announcement, stating that passengers travelled via alternative destinations rather than South Africa to avoid the inconvenience and delays caused by the transit visa applications.

Routes particularly affected were South East Asia, Hong Kong and India, said O'Sullivan.

"This is a win-win decision, in that SAA will have improved passenger numbers, while the country will get more trade and investments from other countries," said SAA CEO Khaya Ngqula.

Input the minister received from chambers of commerce and business representatives revealed that transit visas, used to protect the country's borders, were affecting the profit margins of airlines operating in South Africa.

Transit visa requirements for citizens of certain countries were reintroduced in December last year.

As for intra-company transfer permits, the minister said she agreed the two-year limit was too short.

An amendment was required to the Immigration Act to extend the period.

"We will ask cabinet and parliament to deal with this matter before the end of the year," Mapisa-Nqakula said.

"In the meantime, interim measures will be put in place to assist multi-national companies."

Information supplied by www.fin24.co.za