Holidaymakers: Remember to carry unabridged birth certificates if travelling overseas
Holidaymakers who will be travelling with minors overseas this festive season are reminded to carry unabridged birth certificates unless the child’s details are endorsed in the parent’s passport.
“In cases where one parent is traveling with a child in the absence of another parent, a consent letter from the absent parent granting permission to the other parent to exit the country with the child will be required,” said Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato.
Masiapato explained that this requirement is mainly applicable to South Africans intending to exit the country with children, which forms part of the country’s fight against human trafficking.
“Considering the expected high volumes in this festive period, we would like to appeal to all travellers to plan their travel early and exercise patience on the roads towards ports,” he said.
The Commissioner was speaking during a media briefing on Monday where he unveiled the agency’s festive season plans covering December 2024 and January 2025, aimed at managing increased border activities.
He also urged those who will be leaving or entering South Africa to ensure that all their travel documents are in order – to avoid any unnecessary delays at the ports of entry.
As required by international protocols, Masiapato said all travellers should have a valid machine-readable passport and a valid visa where applicable.
In addition, passports should have at least one empty page to enable the BMA immigration team members to stamp the passports as required.
“This message is also relevant during the return leg in January 2025 as all travellers are expected to present themselves at the designated ports of entry to enter South Africa.
“As for those wishing to cross the border using a financed vehicle, they should have the letter from their financing institution authorising them to exit the country with the vehicle.” – SAnews.gov.za
