South Africa plans to pilot electronic visas by 31 March 2019 in a bid to bring more tourists into the country. This will not only boost the economy, but it is hoped that it will have a ripple effect that will lead to a reduction in unemployment and inequality in SA.
According to the Minister for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the e-visas form part of a plan conceptualised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, which also includes plans for a series of other public as well as private initiatives, and are predicted to bring R500-billion in revenue.
The announcement to pilot the e-visas was first made during a Parliamentary Q & A session in March last year. E-visas will make it easier for tourists to enter the country. These visas and applications for them are captured online, as well as the visa-holder’s biometric information. This information will then be on record both locally and abroad.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, the first phase of the piloting will be carried out by 31 March, but the department has not yet detailed whether this will occur at a foreign embassy or mission, or local home affairs offices.
The e-visa pilot phase will cover temporary residency visas, the adjudication of temporary visas, application for visas, application for waivers, and applicant notifications and biometrics.
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