New travel regulations for minors
A new regulation is set to be effective from June 1, regarding travelling of minors to and from South Africa.
The regulation applies to all nationalities and is being put into operation in order to counter child abduction and human trafficking.
With the introduction of the new regulation, minors (children under the age of 18) will not be allowed to travel without the necessary legal documents, or without being accompanied by their legal guardians or parents.
It stipulates that children travelling will need to produce a valid travelling document, such as a passport and a full birth certificate, which is to be produced on request.
These documents will need to be certified no more than three months previously, and must also include the identification of the parents on the birth certificate.
It is also requested that if the document is not presented in any of South Africa’s official languages, an English translation by a recognised translator needs to be provided.
In addition, it is necessary to produce a valid travel document, the passport and full birth certificate, to verify that children travelling with only one parent are legally doing so and with the knowledge of the absent parent. To this end, it will also be required to produce a legal document signed by any non-travelling parent, giving approval for the child’s travel.
Failing to comply with, or providing the compulsory documents, will result in airlines refusing to allow travellers onto their flights.
