South Africa’s new visa regulations came into effect today.

The new regulations have been heavily criticised with many believing that they will have a dramatic negative effect on the tourism industry.

Below is a summarised checklist of what needs to be taken into consideration in order to comply with the new regulations:

1. Foreign tourists intending to visit South Africa must apply for visas in person at the South African embassies abroad and have their biometric data (fingerprints) taken.

2. Children under the age of 18 must be in possession of full or unabridged birth certificates stating the names of both parents when travelling.

3. South African children travelling overseas must carry an original birth certificate.

In the event of both parents not travelling with the child then more documents are needed when entering South Africa:

4. If only one parent is travelling with the child then the parent not travelling must provide an affidavit providing consent to the child travelling with the other parent, as well as copy of their identity document or passport.

5. If the parents are divorced then the Immigration Amendment Act is not entirely clear on the requirements. However it is recommended that a certified copy of the divorce order should be carried in addition to the letter of consent from the other parent and a copy of their identity document.

6. Should one of the parents be deceased then a certified copy of the death certificate must be taken along.

7. Should the father be unknown then the mother will need to show an affidavit saying that she is solely responsible for the child.

8. If the parents are of the same sex then the the full birth certificate allows for same-sex parents to travel with their children. According to the Department of Home Affairs “This is called A and B parents,”

9. When children are travelling without their parents, the child must have an affidavit from parents confirming that they have permission to travel without them including copies of the parents’ identity documents and contact details. When travelling with a relative or another adult, a copy of the unabridged birth certificate can be used.

10. When a child is travelling alone to South Africa: The child must carry a letter from the person that will be receiving him in South Africa, containing the person’s address and contact details, as well as a copy of the host’s identity document or passport.