15 Feb |
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However, until mid-2009, South African nationals who have previously travelled to the UK on their current passport will be exempt from the visa requirement. According to a statement from the British High Commission, the decision to abolish South Africa's visa-free status "follows a global review of the UK's pre-entry immigration controls and reflects the UK government's commitment to strengthen its borders". Last July the UK government announced that in the case of 11 countries, including South Africa, a decision had been taken in principle to impose a visa regime. This was subject to a six-month period of mitigation and was largely seen as an opportunity for the Department of Home Affairs to get their house in order. The Department had come under fire for corruption and fraud in the issuing of passports. Each government was given a list of the main areas of concern to the UK and warned that unless there was significant progress in these areas by the end of the year, visa regimes would be implemented. The British High Commission says that "abuse of the South African passport remains a serious concern". "In the last two years there has also been a significant increase in the number of South African nationals detected working illegally or overstaying after their leave to remain in the UK has expired. " According to the High Commission, visa applications have been outsourced to VFS Global a commercial company working "in partnership with the UK Border Agency and the British High Commission" in South Africa. For more information on the new visa rules, and how to apply, visit www.vfs-uk-za.com or call +27822344450. Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites            |