UK confirms SA visa review

2008-02-07 07:23

Johannesburg - The British High Commission has confirmed that it was conducting a global review of its visa requirements.

High Commissioner Paul Boateng said on Wednesday Britain was in regular contact with the South African government regarding the process and that no decision had been taken.

"We are in regular contact with the SA government to discuss these matters and have raised with them a number of concerns that arise," he said.

Boateng said such concerns included the ease with which it was possible to obtain SA travel documentation in the absence of genuine entitlement.

Democratic Alliance MP Tony Leon had earlier said any move by Britain to impose visa requirements on South Africans wishing to visit that country would have serious effects on business and travel links.

"Such a move will have a serious effect on business and travel links between our countries, and create barriers to entry which are without precedent in terms of the travel regime," Leon said.

He said the enforcement of visa was a drastic step and would severely inconvenience the 450 000 South Africans who travel to Britain every year.

Boateng said they were grateful to the foreign affairs minister and the director general for their wholehearted engagement with the process.

He said the final decision on South Africa would take into account not only the SA response to Britain's concerns but historical ties between the two countries.

"If in future South Africans were required to apply for visas in advance of visiting Britain, that would be done fast and efficiently to safeguard ease of travel and the safety and security of travellers," Boateng said.

- SAPA