Cautionary advice for SA-resident foreign passport holders

SA residents who hold
foreign passports and have
permanent residence (PR)
in this country beware!
A new demand at all SA’s
international airports is
that, if you fly out of this
country, you must be able
to produce your original
PR document on both your
departure and return.
According to Monya
Flier, director of
Intergate Immigration,
such a procedure is not
included anywhere in the
Immigration Act nor in any
other applicable regulations.
“During ordinary
business and visits to
Home Affairs, a ‘notice’ of
the change in procedure
was witnessed,” she told
FTW. “No other formal
notice was received from
the department.”
Devised by whom, and
for what reason, was not
revealed.
However, whereas before
travellers were able to have
their PR document
number stamped in their
passport, this would no
longer be done.
And a reliance on
carrying a bar-coded
book of life – which has
previously been acceptable
proof of PR – would no
longer be sufficient.
“Given this,” Flier said,
“we are now advising
everyone to carry
documentation.”
If you don’t have this
original paperwork, Flier
suggested that you apply to
Home Affairs requesting
such proof of PR.
“It will take some
considerable time,” she
added, “but you will
eventually be sent a
letter confirming your
permanent residence
status, which is acceptable
to the airport immigration
officials.”
The penalty for noncompliance
could be
tragic.
“If you fail to give the
immigration officials any
evidence of your legal right
to remain in SA upon
departure,” Flier said,
“they may slap you with
an ‘undesirable status’
– prohibiting you from
return.”