Unabridged birth certificates no longer required for overseas tourists

HOME Affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi is expected to make an announcement soon that unabridged birth certificates will no longer be required for overseas tourists travelling to South Africa with children.

The regulation, which came into effect five years ago, requires anyone travelling with minors (under the age of 18) to produce an unabridged birth certificate, and a letter of parental consent if the child is not travelling with both parents when departing from and arriving in South Africa.

Home Affairs spokesperson Siya Qozo said they still have to communicate the decision with all the stakeholders.

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“The Minister has indeed taken the decision the unabridged birth certificates will no longer be required for overseas tourists travelling to South Africa with children,” Qozo said.

According to Qozo, this is expected to happen this week.

SA’s tourism industry is happy with the announcement as it believes that this is going to increase tourism in the country. SA Tourism has been trying to fight this rule since its inception.

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