There is a new wind sweeping through the world – visa-free travel is now popping up across the globe and several countries have loosened the reins to stimulate their economies with the benefits that tourism brings.
New strategic visa policies and robust tourism initiatives are transforming swathes of the travel sector and attracting leisure and corporate travellers to those countries that innovate. Some are simply adjusting their visa regimes, others implementing visa-free regimes.
These new policies should play a part in changing traditional tourism maps and routes across the globe.
Over the past weeks, several European and Middle Eastern countries have opened up visa-free entry to non-EU nationalities that had previously required visas – examples of those showing this flexibility and willingness to change, are Denmark, Belgium, Greece, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
However, passport-holders of South Africa and many other Southern African countries still need visas to all these countries.
Visa-free travel encourages tourism by streamlining the journey for tourists and by eliminating the hassle and expense of lengthy applications, complex documentation and frustrating wait times. This all translates into unprecedented flexibility for avid travellers, allowing spontaneous planning of trips or visiting multiple countries with ease – something that the South African market has longed for for many years.
Many of the new initiatives do not name South African travellers among those who may travel visa free, but some do.
The countries listed below have recently allowed visa-free travel for South African passport holders.
Peru has implemented a new visa-free policy for 93 countries.
Jordan now offers visa-free access to 105 countries.
Jamaica has implemented a new visa-free entry policy for 117 countries.
Bahamas has launched a new visa-free entry policy for 157 countries.
Guatemala now allows visitors from over 100 countries to enter without a visa.
India has ordered 900 new aircraft and is offering visa free, E-visa entry for 125 countries.
Planning a visa-free trip
When planning a trip to a visa-free country, it’s important to consider several factors to ensure a smooth journey.
Check entry requirements
While visa-free entry simplifies travel, it’s essential to verify entry requirements, such as passport validity, proof of onward travel, or health insurance.
Understand the duration of stay
Visa-free entry often comes with time limits, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. Ensure your clients’ travel plans align with these restrictions to avoid overstaying.
Stay informed about changes
Visa policies can change, so it’s advisable to stay updated on any new regulations or requirements before agents advise their clients on visa issues.
Visa-free travel in Africa for South African passport holders
More African countries are allowing e-Visas for South African passport holders, which speeds up the application process. But a new wave of African countries can foresee the benefits of allowing in passport holders from many countries visa-free. South African passport holders can now travel visa-free into the following countries:
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burundi
Cape Verde
Comoros
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Lesotho
Malawi
Madagascar
Mauritania
Mozambique
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sierra Leone
Senegal
Somalia
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe
While visa-free entry simplifies travel, it’s essential to verify entry requirements, such as passport validity, proof of onward travel, or health insurance. A growing number of countries have implemented or are considering online pre-travel entry forms that need to be filled in before travel commences. Entry policies can change frequently, so it’s advisable to stay updated on any new regulations or requirements before agents advise their clients on visa issues.
Duration of stay
Visa-free entry often comes with time limits, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. Ensure your clients’ travel plans align with these restrictions to avoid overstays.
SADC visa requirements
Although SADC places emphasis on tourism, travel and the facilitation of the movement of people, there are still entry visa requirements between SADC region member states. It is important to find out the guidelines and limitations of a visitor’s visa before travelling to an African country. Visa exemption or E-Visas need to be backed by a range of supporting documentation, depending on where clients are travelling to.
In 60% of country-to-country travel, SADC member states reciprocate visa free policies. In another 11%, they reciprocate visa on-arrival policies.
Mauritius, Seychelles, and Zimbabwe allow the citizens of the most SADC members to enter their territory visa free. Zimbabwe has reciprocity with 13 members of SADC. Botswana, Mauritius, South Africa and Zambia enjoy visa free reciprocity with 12 other SADC countries.
Neither Comoros nor Madagascar offer visa free travel to the citizens of other SADC member states, but both offer a visa on arrival to all Africans.
Only half of SADC members have signed the 2005 AU Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons.
