South Africa Orders End Of Visa-Free Travel From New Zealand

New Zealand and South Africa agreed visa-free travel to the people of each others in 1996 and now after 20 years the system brings to end the facility.

The South African government has announced Kiwis will soon require visa to visit the country and the new decision to come in force on January 16, 2017.

The move comes to match similar move of New Zealand government where increasing number of South Africans have not been allowed to visit the country under visa waiver agreement.

South Africa however said the visa fees will be low and all the documents will be in favor of the New Zealand border.

New Zealand said they always welcome and encourage legitimate visitors and hence people need to meet immigration requirements to cross their borders.

Immigration New Zealand general manager Peter Elms said, “These changes bring New Zealand into line with countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.”

Meanwhile, the South Africa Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said the government has matched the move like other international governments and has applied the principle of reciprocity in international relations.

He added in recent times several other countries too have imposed visa restrictions on their people.