The South African Consulate in Lagos has dismissed reports that it has stopped issuing visas to Nigerians following anti-migrant protests in parts of South Africa.
South Africa’s Consul General in Lagos, Bobby Moroe, said visa applications from Nigerians were still being processed and that qualified applicants would not be denied visas because of the ongoing protests.
Moroe gave the clarification on the sidelines of a round-table organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA.
He said Nigerians were still travelling to South Africa for tourism and other legitimate purposes despite the protests.
“Visas continue to be issued in spite of the ongoing protests and Nigerians are still visiting the country for tourism and other legitimate purposes”, Moroe said.
He stressed that Nigerian applicants would not be discriminated against, adding that visa applications would only be rejected where applicants failed to meet the required conditions.
The consul general also highlighted the introduction of South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation, ETA, which is aimed at making travel authorisation faster and more convenient for eligible visitors.
Moroe said the digital system allows prospective travellers to apply using their mobile devices and reduces some of the documentation required under the traditional application process.
