South Africa’s  Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has signed a waiver which allows foreign children to enter the country without carrying documents such as birth certificates and consent letters.

“This improvement in our admissions policy builds on the work the department has been doing to contribute to economic growth and investment. As of Friday, 08 November 2019, foreign children can enter and depart the country without being required to provide birth certificates, consent letters and other supporting documents relating to proof of parentage” said Minister Motsoaledi.

The Department has communicated the changes to immigration officials at ports of entry and to the airline and maritime industries.

South African children are still required to provide supporting documents, in line with the requirements of the Children’s Act. The same applies to unaccompanied foreign children.

Foreign children who require a visa for South Africa do not need to carry the supporting documents for inspection at a port of entry since these would be processed together with their visa applications.

IMPORTANT: Botswana and Namibia still have strict document requirements for child entry.  You may learn more here:

Botswana Child Entry Requirements:
http://www.botswanaembassy.org/article/new-requirements-for-minors-travelling-through-all-botswana-points-of-entry

Namibia Child Entry Requirements:
http://www.namibiaembassyusa.org/sites/default/files/documents/Travelling%20to%20and%20from%20Namibia%20with%20children%20.pdf

Despite the above news Ultimate Africa Safaris still suggests parents traveling anywhere with children under the age of 18 bring an original, or certified copy, of each child’s birth certificate. In addition a parent traveling with children, WITHOUT the other parent, should bring a letter of consent from the absent parent. The letter of consent should be certified by the police. This also applies to grandparents and other relatives who wish to travel with their grandchildren / nieces / nephews. We also suggest you bring a copy of the absent spouse(s) identification.

Ian Proctor
Ultimate Africa President
“I first visited Africa in the late 1980s. I came face to face with a wild elephant, and fell in love with being on safari! I made it my goal to create an African travel company that was all about authentic wildlife experiences. Many years later we are one of the top African travel companies in the Americas – known for arranging custom safaris to East and Southern Africa; personal trips, no cookie cutter stuff.”