South Africa Launches New Visa Scheme for Indians - 90 Days Visa Free Travel

Highlights: Indians to get 90 days of visa-free travel access to South Africa under the new visa scheme

• The Government of South Africa will be launching a Trusted Tour Operator Scheme in January 2025.
• The country aims to reform its visa process and facilitate tourism, especially from India and China.
• The new scheme will be allowing Indians to travel visa-free to South Africa for up to 90 days.
• The scheme also aims to increase jobs in the tourism sector in South Africa.

 

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South Africa’s Trusted Tour Operator Scheme

South Africa will be launching the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) in January 2025. The new scheme aims to attract more tourists from China and India. The country is planning to streamline the visa process and increase job creation in the country's tourism sector. The scheme is to be handled by approved tour operators, who must ensure the smooth processing of visas for tourists. Once the new scheme is implemented, Indian and Chinese tourists will be allowed visa-free travel for up to 90 days.

 

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the TTOS is aimed at removing hindrances that have kept South Africa from becoming a top tourist destination in the world. At present, tourists from India only account for 3.9% of the total tourist visits in South Africa. The South African Tourism Department and the Department of Home Affairs are trying to address the economic underperformance facilitating the visa process. The new scheme aligns with the Trusted Employer Scheme, which aims to streamline the visa process for skilled business professionals.

 

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How will the TTOS work?

Approved tour operators from India and China are to be invited to register with the Department of Home Affairs under the new visa scheme. These operators will be accountable for tourists in their group after they go through the screening process. Once the visa scheme is implemented, the Department will process group visa applications for these travelers.

 

A dedicated team of adjudicators will be handling the visa applications under the TTOS and will ensure reliable and smooth processing. Minister Schreiber estimated that a 10% annual boost in the tourism sector could increase annual economic growth by 0.6%, along with creating several job opportunities in the tourism sector. South Africa envisions implementing a fully automated process that will deliver digital tourist visas instantly to travelers all around the world.

 

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