No visa restrictions on Nigerians – South African envoy

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The South African Consulate in Lagos has dismissed reports that the mission has stopped issuing visas to Nigerians on the basis of anti-migrant protests in South Africa.

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Prof. Bobby Moroe, Consul General of South Africa, made this known on the sidelines of a round-table organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) with the theme, ”South Africa’s Xenophobia in Comparative Perspective”.

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Moroe said applicants who met the requirements for visas to visit his country would never be denied.

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”Visas continue to be issued in spite of the ongoing protests and Nigerians are still visiting the country for tourism and other legitimate purposes.

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”We wish to make it clear again that Nigerians under these circumstances faced today will never be discriminated against.

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”No basis will justify why your visa is rejected except that you, for one reason or another may not have qualified with the requirements of the visa,” he said.

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Moroe also announced the recent introduction of South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), a digital system designed to simplify and speed up travel authorisation for prospective visitors.

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He said the system reduced documentation requirements and replaced aspects of the traditional visa application process.

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According to him, prospective travellers can apply through their mobile devices, making the process faster, safer and more convenient.

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(NAN)

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