Home Affairs announces visa-free status for four countries
South Africa has waived visa requirements for 82 of the 193 countries who are members of the United Nations.
![Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi. PHOTO: Kopano Tlape (GCIS)](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2019/08/28710481258_4d70bfd026_k.jpg)
HOME Affairs minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, has announced that nationals from four of the seven countries he granted visa-free status during his Budget Vote speech will be able to travel to South Africa without visas.
“As from 15 August, travellers from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and New Zealand will no longer require a visa to visit South Africa for holidays, conferencing and business meeting visits. We took this decision unilaterally but we are engaging these countries to see how they can relax entry requirements for our citizens.
“I am glad to say that Qatar has already waived visa requirements for South Africans and this will enable our people to attend Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 easier,” Motsoaledi said.
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Meanwhile, the department will implement visa waivers for Ghana, Cuba and Principe and Sao Tome after negotiations with these countries have been concluded.
The department is scheduled to complete these negotiations by the end of August 2019 and the implementation will follow soon thereafter.
Already, South Africa has waived visa requirements for 82 of the 193 countries who are members of the United Nations.
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