South Africa’s former visa requirements restricted Kenyans to single-entry visas. The latest developments now allow Kenyans to travel to South Africa as often as they want in the next 10 years.
Kenyan business and academia community travelling to South Africa will now be issued with multiple-entry-visas valid for up to 10 years effective December 1, ending years of strain by Kenyans seeking to travel to SA.
Frequent travellers will also be eligible for 3-year multiple entry visas effective.
South Africa has agreed to ease visa application rules and entry conditions for the above categories following extensive deliberations between Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Dr. Fred Matiang’i, and South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, in Pretoria earlier this week.
The agreement reflects the doctrine of reciprocity after Kenya set up a more responsive and straightforward online application process for short-term visas for visitors from all African countries, a move that Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta envisions would foster Pan-African brotherhood and fraternity.
South Africa’s former visa requirements restricted Kenyans to single-entry visas. The latest developments now allow Kenyans to travel to South Africa as often as they want in the next 10 years.
Discussions with South Africa on visa restrictions have been ongoing and have seen both Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Cyril Ramaphosa discuss the issue extensively.
Currently, Africans visiting Kenya for a period of less than 30 days do not require Kenyan visas while those intending to stay longer are issued with visas on arrival at the point of entry or through the online e-visa platform.
With Kenya Airways already doing an average of three non-stop flights from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to South Africa daily, the new arrangement is expected to enhance people to people contact and unlock the two countries’ tourism and business potential.
South Africa remains a key African tourism market sources for Kenya.
The Kenyan Government’s proposal of issuance of study visas based on the duration of studies and renewal on application when need arises was also granted, a big win for Kenyans pursuing studies in South Africa.
Technical officers from both countries have also been tasked with finding ways of reducing travel restrictions, with a view of completely removing short term (180) days) and transit visa requirements for nationals from the two countries with ordinary passports.
The technical teams have 3 months to complete their assignment.
The two countries have also agreed to step up joint efforts in combating illegal immigration and also protect the integrity of each other’s travel documents.
This move also comes as Kenya’s immigration department steps up efforts to streamline immigration services through automation of immigration services, digitization 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 talks also involved Kenya’s Principal Secretary in the State Department for Immigration, Border Control and Citizen Services, Dr. Gordon Kihalangwa, Kenya’s High Commisioner to South Africa, Amb. Jean Kamau and the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.
Under the new terms, Visa to South Africa may also be granted for visits to family, friends, tourism, business and spouses joining their partners working or studying in South Africa.
Children will also be allowed to join parents who are in South Africa on work or study visa.
Source: The Exchange
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