South Africa is one of the most popular destinations in Africa. It is teaming with wildlife and destinations that you will not find anywhere else. Exotic food and drinks are also a plenty when you visit, some are even surprising to find out. Tourists would also fall in love with South Africa’s prices and tourist infrastructure. However, not everyone can visit due to the existing visa policy.

On Wednesday, South Africa announced that citizens from 7 countries will be able to visit the country without a visa. These seven countries are as follows: United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Qatar, Cuba, Ghana, Saudi Arabia and Sao Tome and Principe.

The Newest Tourism Move

In the statement released, Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi said that tourism will flourish if the country relaxes its visa requirements. He adds that tourism will be able to open new jobs for the people.

With the inclusion of the 7 nations in its visa-free roster, the minister said he will be working with these countries. He hopes to see how a visa-free agreement could be reached. Qatar and Ghana already have visa-free agreements with South Africa. Currently, South African nationals can visit 99 countries visa-free according to the 2019 Henley Passport Index.

His office will also be working on improving visa processing rates for China, India and Nigeria. He said that they will double the staff to meet the demand.

The country also announced that they will be launching its new eVisa system in November. According to Home Affairs deputy minister Njabulo Nzuza, it will make it easier for tourists to enter the country.

With the new system, visitors can apply for South African visa online. The applications will be forwarded to a central adjudication and approval office. All the visitor has to do is wait for the approval at home.

It is also the hope of the country that the eVisa system will make the country an ideal place to visit. It is also expected to help increase tourism in the country.

How to Go to South Africa?

Europeans who wish to travel to South Africa can take direct flights to South Africa’s international airports. Asian tourists can fly to South Africa from connecting flights from Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, Hong Kong and Doha. North and South American travelers will have to take connecting flights from Europe to reach the country.

If you plan to visit South Africa, South Africa’s Official Tourism Site is a great place to get ideas.

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Russia has always been a mystery for many travelers. While it is a part of Asia and Europe due to its vast land, getting a visa to the country is not very simple. The paperwork required is enormous and the processing time can take an age. There are also certain restrictions imposed to certain nationals.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Russia will be introducing an electronic visa system to make visa applications and arrivals faster. According to the report of Russia Today, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the plan this month.

This will not be the first time that Russia is changing its visa scheme. In last year’s World Cup, supporters of each team were allowed entry to Russia without a visa. They only need to apply for a “Fan ID” and present it with their passport.

What is included in Russia’s E-Visa Scheme?

Details about the E-Visa scheme are yet to be announced. However, experts suggest that it will be applicable to citizens from China, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and the Schengen zone. British citizens may not be included in the list due to the ongoing Brexit talks, as well as Canada and the United States.

E-visa prices may also cost around $50 in comparison to today’s $129. Visa processing can be as fast as 16 days once the new system is in place.

What is Russia’s current Visa Scheme?

Currently, Russia is visa-free for certain countries. Tourists taking cruises can enter Russia without too much paperwork. They are allowed to stay up to 72 hours without a visa if they land in one of the seven major ports. Those travelling to the Far East Federal District are also allowed visa-free access. Others will need to file for a single-entry visa to get access to Russia.

A trial run of the e-visa system is also in place in the Far East. However, only 18 countries are eligible for the run.

The trial is expected to extend to Kaliningrad next week.

How to Reach Russia?

Visiting Russia’s major cities like Saint Petersburg or Moscow is very easy thanks to direct flights from Europe, US and Asia. There are also connecting flights passing by these cities. Nearby countries can enter the Russian border if they have shared borders and visa. Major cruises also pass by Russia’s major ports.

Looking for ideas in your future Russia trip? Feel free to check out our articles on where to stay in Moscow or in Saint Petersburg to get some ideas. You can also check out our article on how to get prepaid internet during your trip. For those hoping to stay in Moscow, our salary guide is a good place to start.

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