Crazy new South Africa travel rules for children really are starting on 1st June
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Last September, I wrote about the ludicrous new rules which impact anyone flying into – or even transiting – South Africa with a child under 18.
At the last minute, implementation of the new rules was delayed. I think people expected them to be quietly scrapped, but that is not the case. From 1st June they will be in place.
It will be very difficult for a child to enter South Africa from June 1st, especially if both natural parents are not present.
British Airways will refuse to let you travel with your child if you cannot produce the paperwork required at the airport because you will not be allowed entry.
ba.com has a good summary of the new rules here.
Where both parents are travelling with a child who is under 18:
All parents travelling with children under the age of 18 to or from South Africa must produce an unabridged birth certificate of each child which shows details of the parents of the child.
Where one parent is travelling with a child, they must produce:
an unabridged birth certificate
and either
consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate, authorising them to enter or depart from South Africa with the child
or
a court order granting them full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship or where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate
Where an adult is travelling with a child, who is not their biological child, they must produce:
a copy of the unabridged birth certificate of the child
an affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that they have permission to travel with the child
copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child
Children travelling alone must produce:
consent from one or both of the parents/legal guardian in the form of a letter or affidavit, for the child to travel into or depart from South Africa. If only one parent is able to provide proof of consent they must also have a copy of a court order granting the full parental responsibilities
a letter from the person who is to receive the child in South Africa, containing their residential address and the contact details where the child will be residing
a copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in South Africa
contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child
Do you like the sound of all that? I didn’t think so.
Ben 
Rob 
Peter 
RICO 
pj 
wetboy1uk 
Barbs 
Leo 
Anneen 
Mike 
Capecam 
pj 
Max 
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