Xenophobia: South Africa denies suspending visas for Nigerians

The South African Consulate in Lagos has refuted reports that it has suspended visa issuance to Nigerians because of ongoing anti-migrant protests in South Africa.

South Africa’s Consul General, Prof. Bobby Moroe, clarified the situation while speaking on the sidelines of a round-table discussion organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs on South Africa’s xenophobia in comparative perspective.

Moroe said Nigerian applicants who satisfy the country’s visa requirements would continue to receive visas, regardless of 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,” he said.

He stressed that Nigerian travellers would not be subjected to discrimination because of the current situation, adding that visa applications would only be rejected where applicants fail to meet the established requirements.

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

He added, “No basis will justify why your visa is rejected except that you, for one reason or another, may not have provided the requirements of the visa.”

The consul general also disclosed that South Africa had introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation, known as ETA, as part of efforts to modernise and simplify its travel authorisation system.

According to Moroe, the digital platform is intended to reduce paperwork and streamline some aspects of the conventional visa application process.

He explained that prospective visitors would be able to submit applications using their mobile devices, making travel authorisation more convenient, secure and efficient.