{"id":838761,"date":"2025-10-01T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=838761"},"modified":"2025-10-02T08:54:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T06:54:44","slug":"bad-news-for-south-african-passport-holders-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/838761\/bad-news-for-south-african-passport-holders-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Bad news for South African passport holders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Somalia has become the latest country to change its entry requirements, and the update is not entirely good news for South African passport holders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Immigration and Citizenship Agency of Somalia has officially launched<\/a> its eVisa service, which took effect on 1 September 2025. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This replaces the previous visa-on-arrival (VoA) system, meaning travellers must now apply for permission before setting foot in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Isxaaq Hassan Takow, Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the online platform has been in development for some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He explained that the new system was designed to simplify visa applications by making them accessible to travellers anywhere in the world, with approvals delivered quickly and efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specially trained officers have been assigned to oversee the process to ensure smooth operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many travellers, including South Africans, the switch marks a significant change. Under the old system, those with South African passports could make last-minute travel plans, complete the visa process at the airport or border, and gain entry without much pre-planning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The eVisa introduces a pre-travel requirement that removes this flexibility, potentially creating problems for individuals who need to travel at short notice for business or other urgent matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The application process itself also carries some risks. With the visa-on-arrival system, travellers could resolve issues face-to-face upon arrival if there was any problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the new digital process, there may be fewer options to address complications quickly. A denied eVisa application means the traveller cannot board their flight, and the non-refundable application fee is forfeited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For South Africans travelling to Somalia, this adds a layer of uncertainty and administrative burden that was previously absent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these drawbacks, Somali officials emphasised the benefits of the change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minister of Interior Security Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail Fartaag explained that the new system will bolster national security, enhance monitoring of travellers, increase transparency, and ensure that visa-related revenues go directly into the Ministry of Finance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that starting 1 September, all foreign visitors must use the new system, unless they fall into exempt categories, such as diplomats, residents, holders of multiple-entry visas, UNLP passport holders, or nationals of countries with visa-free agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not the only country to update its requirements for foreign visitors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Authorities highlight that efficiency will also improve. Visa approvals are expected to be processed within one to three days, and all payments are made securely online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The system automatically screens applicants in advance, providing the government with information on who is entering and why at least 24 hours before arrival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This, officials argue, will strengthen Somalia\u2019s ability to manage its borders and reduce the risk of fraudulent entry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director General Mustafa Duhulow described the launch as a historic step for Somalia, aligning the country with global digital immigration practices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He noted that the eVisa will not only enhance immigration services but also strengthen national security, protect sensitive data, and create opportunities to improve the economy and overall service delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somalia is not the only country introducing updates that affect South African travellers. Immigration authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also added a new requirement<\/a> for visa applicants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

All travellers, regardless of nationality, must now submit a copy of their passport\u2019s external cover page along with the usual documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This cover page (the very first page of a passport) displays the country\u2019s name, emblem, issuing authority, and other official markings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is different from the inside data page, which contains the traveller\u2019s photo and personal details. The rule applies uniformly, regardless of whether you are applying for a tourist visa, a business visa, or a residency-related entry permit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UAE officials stated that the measure is aimed at enhancing security checks, strengthening identity verification, and minimising processing errors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By including the cover page, authorities can more easily cross-check national details and detect mismatched or fraudulent applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For South African travellers, however, this is another small but time-consuming administrative requirement when applying for foreign visas.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Two countries have changed their entry requirements for foreign travellers, including South Africans. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":823479,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9876],"tags":[23724,7009,853,23725],"class_list":["post-838761","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-evisa","tag-somalia","tag-south-africa","tag-the-united-arab-emirates-uae"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838761","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/92"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=838761"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838761\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":838850,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/838761\/revisions\/838850"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/823479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=838761"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=838761"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=838761"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}