Question NW1352 to the Minister of Home Affairs
20 July 2020 - NW1352
De Freitas, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Home Affairs
(a) What total number of tourism visas expired during the period of lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19 and (b) how did his department deal with such cases of expired visas?
Reply:
a) International tourists arriving in the Republic are normally provided a period of 30 to 90 days for holiday purposes. Since 26 January 2020 the total number of travellers that arrived in South Africa for holiday purposes is 2 315 334, of these 223 624 have not yet departed (as on 30 June 2020).
b) On 14 April 2020, the Department announced visa concessions to address immigration matters during the lockdown period. Visas which expired during lockdown are regarded as valid until 31 July 2020. Holders of such visas will not be arrested or detained for holding an expired visa and will not be declared illegal or prohibited persons. Those who opt to return to their countries of origin or residence after the lockdown will not be declared undesirable upon departure. These temporary measures remain valid until 31 July 2020 unless extended officially by the Department.
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