South Africa plans to simplify visa requirements for tourists from India and China within days in an effort to attract more visitors from the world’s two most populous nations, who have been discouraged by bureaucratic hurdles.
While travellers from many Western countries, such as the US and UK, don’t need visas for short stays in South Africa, tourists from India and China — both part of the BRICS group — must currently secure authorization before traveling. This has served as a deterrent for many potential visitors.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced that, starting in January, a “Trusted Tour Operators” system will be introduced. Under this system, vetted tour operators will handle travel arrangements for groups from India and China, streamlining the process.
Countries like Thailand have already benefited from easing visa restrictions for Indian tourists, and other nations, such as Peru and Morocco, are expanding their presence in Indian cities to attract more visitors. Saudi Arabia has also opened visa offices in India and introduced a four-day stopover visa for Indian travellers as part of a strategy to boost tourism.
Schreiber emphasized South Africa’s untapped tourism potential, especially when it comes to visitors from India and China. He acknowledged that South Africa is lagging behind in attracting tourists from these key markets, despite tourism being one of the nation’s natural advantages.
The government eventually plans to implement an electronic travel authorization system, but the Trusted Tour Operators program will serve as a temporary measure. Schreiber noted that the visa changes are part of broader reforms to immigration policies, including simplifying work permit regulations to address a skills shortage.
Tourism statistics highlight the disparity: last year, South Africa welcomed around 350,000 visitors each from the US and UK, 245,000 from Germany, but only 80,000 from India and 37,000 from China.
“We see this as low-hanging fruit that can significantly boost the South African economy,” Schreiber said.
