Democratic Alliance (DA) has launched an online petition with an aim to push the departments of home affairs and tourism to initiate e-visas for travelers entering South Africa on tourism.
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has issued rules indicating that visa applications have to be done in person and those who wish to change their stay from short time to long time are not authorized to do it in South Africa but at the embassies overseas.
However, Democratic Alliance (DA) was not in agreement with these regulations and is under the opinion that the nation may lose 270 000 overseas tourists and would lose 21,000 jobs resulting in the total cost of R9.7 billion.
DHA took up certain modernization programs including the process of applying online for visas. UK based company took up the task of setting up 11 visa facilitation centers all through the nine provinces of South Africa.
The DA said that it recognizes tourism as a significant job driver for the economy. Presently, one in every 12 jobs in South Africa is supported by tourism.
