Good news for Kenyans visiting South Africa

Have you ever wanted to visit Johannesburg or Cape Town but have never gotten the opportunity? Do not fret, you are now one step closer to your dreams.

Things just got easier Kenyans visiting South Africa after the Ministry of Interior announced that the country scrapped short-term visa requirements in a new agreement.

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In a press statement, the Ministry of Interior announced that starting December 1, Kenyans visiting South Africa for business or academia purposes will be issued entry visas valid for a period of 10 years while frequent travellers will be issued 3-year entry visas.

“Kenyan business and academia community travelling to South Africa will now be issued with multiple entry visas valid for up to 10 years while frequent travellers will be eligible for 3-year multiple entry visas effective December 1, 2018, ” reads a statement from the Interior Ministry.

The agreement was reached today in a meeting with Interior CS Dr. Fred Matiang’i and South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba. The move is aimed at easing visa application rules and entry conditions into the country.

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The Ministry also said that government officials travelling on official business to South Africa will enjoy a three months free-visa with immediate effect.

Kenya and South Africa also agreed to work together to solve illegal immigration as Kenya strives to streamline its services as well as reduce crime.

“This move also comes as Kenya’s immigration department steps up efforts to streamline immigration services through automation of immigration services, digitisation of immigration records, and the establishment of the e-passport system. The governments are also in consultation on the strategies to mitigate transnational crimes, especially human trafficking and smuggling emanating from elsewhere in the continent and beyond.” the statement continues.

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Before today’s agreement, South Africa had restricted Kenyans to single-entry visas which permitted one entry within a specified period of time. On the other hand, Africans visiting Kenya for less than a month experience no entry conditions while those who intending to stay longer are issued with temporary visas.

Technical staff from the two governments were given three months to come up with solutions that can better reduce travel restrictions and completely remove the short term visa requirements for nationals with ordinary passports.

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The ministry attributed the major milestone to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s frequent deliberations with South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.

In the on-going discussions between the two Presidents, Uhuru believed that the relaxation of visa restrictions by South Africa to its trade partners would foster Pan-Africanism. This does not only make doing business with the country easier but also saves travellers time on rigorous visa applications.

 

Why is it that other countries have strict visa restrictions for African nationals yet Kenya is more lenient?

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