Tips for travelling with Children this festive season
Take note of these international travel requirements for children going through South African ports of entry using guidelines by the Department of Home Affairs.
For the past year certain categories of child travellers will be exempt from presenting supporting documents at ports of entry.
However, travellers are urged to carry these documents because they may be requested in certain instances.
For travellers coming to South Africa
Children who are foreign nationals from countries where visas are required will no longer have to carry supporting documents. This is because they would have been required to provide these during the visa application process.
Children who are foreign nationals from countries where visas are not required may be asked to produce supporting documents upon entry.
Even though producing supporting documents is no longer compulsory, travellers are strongly advised to carry the supporting documents.
In the case of countries that endorse the particulars of parents in children’s passports, or other official identification documents, these documents shall be sufficient to establish the identity of the parents of the travelling minor.
For South Africans leaving the country
South African children travelling abroad may be requested to produce supporting documents at ports of entry. Children with passports detailing parents’ names will not be required to carry birth certificates when travelling. In addition, a parental affidavit may be required.
These requirements are meant to give effect to the Children’s Act, 2005 which stipulates that minors travelling in or out of the country must do so with the consent of both parents.
The Department has trained immigration officials to implement these changes.
The amendments took effect on December 1, ahead of the festive season when many parents and families will be going on holiday with children.
For more information visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
