TRAVEL UPDATES

During this time of COVID-19, we are aware that you have inquiries about your trip. 

Visit our Coronavirus Update page to provide answers to your questions.

To ensure that your vacation goes as smoothly as possible, we recommend that you check out www.gov.za/services/travel-outside-sa/advice-south-african-nationals-travelling-abroad to stay informed about the latest travel news in your selected destination.

Bali

www.welcomebacktobali.com/blog/entry-exit-requirements

Ireland

www.dfa.ie/travel/visas/visas-for-ireland

Maldives

immigration.gov.mv/tourist-visa

Mauritius

passport.govmu.org/passport/?page_id=605

Mozambique

www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/mozambique/passport-visa

Reunion

www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F10610?lang=en

Seychelles

www.ics.gov.sc/visa-and-travel/visiting-seychelles

Thailand

www.thaiembassy.com/thailand-visa/thailand-tourist-visa

Turkey

www.mfa.gov.tr/visa-information-for-foreigners.en.mfa#:~:text=to%2030%20days.-,Ordinary%20passport%20holders%20are%20required%20to%20have%20visa%20to%20enter,are%20required%20to%20have%20visa.

Zanzibar

eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa

The European Union has decided to lift the ban on aviation travel to South Africa and other members of the Southern African region, allowing greater travel.

Currently holding the rotating EU presidency, France said in a tweet that this decision eliminates the so-called emergency brake imposed in November. Visitors from the area would continue to face the same health restrictions as those from other countries, it stated.

European countries stopped the majority of air travel from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe while scientists assessed the severity of the Omicron varient. Despite regional outrage, the group maintained the rules despite an increase in instances worldwide.

According to a European Commission spokesman, the union requested member states last month to consider suspending the flying restriction as soon as possible and implementing a pre-departure PCR test when entering the EU. Some members nations have already relaxed some of their prohibitions.

While the EU coordinates travel policies within and between member states, individual governments are responsible for developing and enforcing particular travel restrictions.

Thailand will resume its quarantine-free travel scheme on February 1, after suspending it due to the fast-spreading Omicron Covid-19 variant.

Travel restrictions have hammered the kingdom's tourism-driven economy, causing visitor numbers to plummet.

Thailand, seeking to overcome its worst economic performance since the Asian financial crisis in 1997, began the "test and go" program in November to avoid two weeks of hotel quarantine.

The program was suspended late last November because of Omicron fears, but because deaths and hospitalizations have not spiked, Taweesin said it could resume, though the authorities will keep it under review.

The tourism ministry estimates that some five million foreign visitors will come to Thailand in 2022 -- down from nearly 40 million in the year before the pandemic.