If in doubt, find out – because not having the right paperwork when you travel will ruin your trip and can be costly.
In the past few years the threat of terrorism caused many countries to tighten their visa regimes. The change that was most felt here was a decision by the British government to require South Africans to obtain a visa before travelling to and in some cases transiting the UK.
The visa requirement was phased in from March 2009 after repeated warnings about corruption at the Department of Home Affairs, which made it possible for anyone with enough cash and the right contacts to obtain an authentic South African passport.
The UK is one of South Africa’s largest trading partners and a popular holiday destination, and the decision affects thousands of travellers each week, all of whom have to appear in person to fulfil the requirements.
Sue Botes, British Airways’ commercial manager in South Africa, says that initially there was widespread confusion and although the communication and administrative procedures have since improved, there are still a concerning number of people who arrive at the airport without the right paperwork.
The consequences can be considerable. If you’re travelling on a non-refundable ticket, you’re unlikely to get your money back and you won’t be able to claim on your travel insurance. If you are denied entry to a country, the airline could hold you liable for any fines imposed on it by the authorities, detention costs and the cost of returning you to your point of departure.
To avoid any problems, Botes suggests:
l Check whether you need a visa or any other entry documentation, such as health certificates, for every country you’re travelling to, including those which you’re transiting. You can get this information by contacting the local embassy or from its website. Visas are required by governments, not airlines, so they don’t provide visa advice.
l A good travel agent or specialist visa service should be able to tell you what documents you’ll need. Don’t be afraid to ask.
l Keep copies of your travel documents and carry some other form of identification separately from your passport. This can speed up the replacement process if your passport is lost or stolen.
“It’s important to understand that the responsibility of ensuring you have the correct travel documentation is yours alone – there are no shortcuts,” says Botes. - Saturday Star