Latest News & Developments
passport power
Travel safety tips for the first-time traveller
Here’s what you need to know to keep safe if you’re travelling for the first time.
Seychelles, Mauritius and South Africa hold Africa’s top 3 most powerful passports for 2024
The world’s most powerful passports have been ranked and these are Africa’s best.
Easter rush: 4 000 tried to enter SA, says Border Management Authority
A 143 people, including two women from Zimbabwe, were allegedly held at Beitbridge with fake stamps to stamp people’s passports.
UN agency asks SA to support refugees
The discussions focused on reviewing the various migration routes to South Africa as well as on how best to strengthen the protection space for asylum-seekers and refugees in the country.
Ramaphosa wants critical skills to boost economy
President Cyril Ramaphosa said the Department of Home Affairs has published immigration regulations that will attract critical skills to boost the economy.
Spain tightens visa requirements for Senegalese travellers
It comes after Spain began requiring transit visas for Kenyan nationals passing through Spanish airports.
The South African passport ranks top 3 most influential passports in Africa: Here are the Top 10
The latest data from Henley & Partners and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) shows that South Africans can travel to 108 visa-free destinations, making it the 3rd most influential passport in Africa.
Emigration: The easiest countries in Europe to gain citizenship
Research also reveals the European countries that are the most difficult to attain citizenship for non-EU passport holders.
Kenya’s first 'visa-free' tourists arrive in country
Last year President William Ruto announced that Kenya would become a ‘visa-free country’ and existing requirements would be waived come January.
UK to allow visa-free entry to several countries. And no, South Africa’s not on the list
The ETA, already in use since November 2023, aims to simplify the entry process, doing away with the necessity of obtaining a visitor visa.
Australia plans to tighten student visa rules in effort to overhaul ‘broken’ migration system
Under the new policies, international students would need to secure higher ratings on English tests.
Foreign care workers no longer allowed to bring dependants to UK under new immigration rules
This decision is part of the UK government’s comprehensive five-point plan aimed at reducing immigration.
Heading to Europe? You’ll soon be able to apply for your Schengen visa online
On the new platform, the current visa sticker will be replaced by a cryptographically signed barcode.
If you think you’re having passport troubles, spare a thought for Pakistan citizens unable to get passports due to shortage of lamination paper
Pakistani citizens are facing difficulty securing new passports as the country's scarcity of lamination paper has resulted in a nationwide shortage of the travel document.
PICS: Caught in the act — three bust for counterfeit passports in Clanwilliam
Officers caught the three men red-handed forging passports.
Birth tourism? No ma'am, that’s not how birthright citizenship works
'Have a baby and get an extra passport’. Follow this mom and influencer to find out more.
Israeli citizens can now travel to US without visa for 90 days
Last month, the Biden administration confirmed Israel's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, allowing qualified travellers to enter the US without a visa.
Former Department of Home Affairs official sentenced for an array of charges including corruption
The Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sentenced Nomthandazo Eunice Mboyana, 45, to eight years of direct imprisonment for fraud, corruption and the contravention of the Immigration Act and the Identification Act.
If you’re planning on getting into UK on skills shortage visa, you should probably read this first
Business lobby groups have previously called for the government to expand the number of occupations on the list to help firms facing significant issues recruiting staff post-Brexit.
Less than 20% of South Africans living abroad would ‘definitely’ return - survey
The biggest reason many South Africans are choosing to live abroad is better job prospects.
Visa authority suspends Indian visas for Canadian residents as tensions between two nations become more strained
On Wednesday, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country were advised to exercise caution.
Home Affairs officials to be sentenced for issuing fraudulent passports
Anda Ngozi and Nomthandazo Eunice Mboyana, are charged with more than 300 counts which include fraud and the contravention of the Immigration Act 68 of 1997. The pair issued the passports for R3 000-R5 000 during the period January 5, 2020 to February 9, 2020.
Two more arrested over the unlawful possession of over 98 IDs and 104 bank cards
Free State police arrested two more people in a case involving a man who was arrested for possession of over 98 IDs and 104 bank cards.
Saudi Arabia extends e-visa to 8 more countries, including South Africa
The visitor e-visa is valid for an entire year, grants multiple entries, and permits a stay of up to 90 days.
Think you’re safe from visa fees if an EU citizen? Think again
Prospective visitors from more than 60 ‘visa-exempt’ countries will have to fill out an online application and pay a small fee before travelling to any of 30 European countries from next year.