South Africa streamlines visa services to attract tourists from China and India

South Africa simplified visa services for tourists from China and India with the announcement of its first batch of 65 accredited companies under the Trusted Travel Agency Programme. This is reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

This initiative, unveiled by South Africa's Department of Home Affairs, aims to boost tourism, stimulate economic growth, and create employment opportunities.

The selected agencies, chosen through a rigorous evaluation process involving the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Tourism, include companies with proven expertise, legal compliance, and strong records of international cooperation. These trusted agencies are now authorised to facilitate streamlined visa applications for travellers from China and India.

Set to begin in January 2025, the programme addresses the need for faster and more efficient visa processing to attract more tourists from two of the world’s largest outbound travel markets. 

According to the Department of Home Affairs, Chinese tourists accounted for just 1.8 per cent of all international visitors to South Africa, while Indian tourists made up 3.9 per cent. In 2023, China recorded nearly 100 million outbound trips, yet South Africa hosted only 93,000 Chinese tourists.

By simplifying visa procedures, South Africa hopes to tap into these vast tourism markets, encouraging a higher influx of visitors and enhancing its global tourism appeal. Agreements are being finalised with the accredited agencies, with the first wave of tourists expected to arrive in the coming weeks under the new system.

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