South African Travel with Children.

SailorSam

There has just been a story on Bbc NW news about a family who turned up at Manchester Airport to fly to Sth Africa and were refused permission to get on the plane. SA have recently introduced draconian rules to stop children smuggling and you need to make sure you have the necessary paperwork.
The woman on the news had a Son from a previous marriage, but despite her ex-husband going to the airport to give written permission for the boy to travel the airline still refused saying they needed a Solicitors letter. A travel expert on the news said since the new rules were introduced, an average of 10 familes a week are being refused travel from Heathrow and another 10 from other airports.

If you have plans for a Sth African holiday make sure you've got the correct paperwork.
http://www.dha.gov.za/files/Brochures/Immigrationleaflet.pdf

The travel expert on the news said it was highly unlikely that the family will be able to get any money back.

Teahfc

Rules are rules and if they prevent child smuggling then it obviously works !
Rather stopped at Heathrow than be turned round and held for several hours before the return flight from South Africa.

sandsy

Teahfc wrote: »

Rules are rules and if they prevent child smuggling then it obviously works !
Rather stopped at Heathrow than be turned round and held for several hours before the return flight from South Africa.

These rules were brought in on very limited evidence that there was any child smuggling happening via SA borders.

The rules are so draconian, and have caused such a dropoff in family tourism, that the SA government have announced they will be reviewed.

We were nearly turned away by Heathrow for SA in October despite having all the required documentation and being two natural parents travelling with our own children, carrying unabridged birth certificates (issued in SA, no less). The airlines are fearful of getting it wrong and having to bring passengers back at their own expense. Despite BA nearly turning us away, we waltzed into SA.

In the meantime, all the documentation is still required until the regulations are changed.

nearlyrich

It's always a good idea to check for yourself any entry requirements where ever you are going.

MasterPoo

Draconian or not, the onus is on the traveller to check before they book/travel, really not that difficult!

1trainer1

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/heathrow-average-of-10-families-a-day-being-denied-boarding-on-trips-to-south-africa-a6780726.html

Happening a lot since they introduced the new rules

MasterPoo

1trainer1 wrote: »

http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/heathrow-average-of-10-families-a-day-being-denied-boarding-on-trips-to-south-africa-a6780726.html

Happening a lot since they introduced the new rules

Yes, because tourists are not reading/researching before they travel to ensure they have the correct documentation. Up until recently South Africans could enter the UK without a visa, now a visa is required, therefore the onus is on the South African tourist to get a visa before turning up at the airport to catch their flight to the UK.

Before buying my air ticket/when planning a holiday I usually contact the Embassy if I am unsure. I also then check 4 weeks before travelling if nothing has changed.

I really don't see what the big deal is?!?! Am I missing something?

Moto2

MasterPoo wrote: »

Yes, because tourists are not reading/researching before they travel to ensure they have the correct documentation. Up until recently South Africans could enter the UK without a visa, now a visa is required, therefore the onus is on the South African tourist to get a visa before turning up at the airport to catch their flight to the UK.

Before buying my air ticket/when planning a holiday I usually contact the Embassy if I am unsure. I also then check 4 weeks before travelling if nothing has changed.

I really don't see what the big deal is?!?! Am I missing something?

My hero

It must be a long way up to that saddle, careful you don't fall

SW17

MasterPoo wrote: »

Yes, because tourists are not reading/researching before they travel to ensure they have the correct documentation. Up until recently South Africans could enter the UK without a visa, now a visa is required, therefore the onus is on the South African tourist to get a visa before turning up at the airport to catch their flight to the UK.

Before buying my air ticket/when planning a holiday I usually contact the Embassy if I am unsure. I also then check 4 weeks before travelling if nothing has changed.

I really don't see what the big deal is?!?! Am I missing something?

Well, it's about people visiting SA with children rather than SA citizens visiting the UK, but it is true that the onus remains, as always, on the passenger to make sure all is in order.

The number of people being denied boarding due to this situation is relatively high, which would suggest there is an issue. I'd say it's down to the cumulative effect of a number of factors:

> UK citizens don't need a visa for most trips to SA, so people don't check beyond that regarding the documents required if travelling with children. The requirements of SA are quite unusual.
> People expect their travel agent / airline to make them aware, which doesn't happen in all cases. It's still the traveller's responsibility, but people often expect others to notify them.
> Even the SA High Commission website is not really clear. The information is there, but not as highlighted as you might expect, and not in a massively user-friendly format.
> Even if they have read the info, as the documentation requirements are relatively onerous, I'm sure some people don't bring the right certificates, or don't bring a UBC for each child.

I find it understandable that this is happening, though ultimately it is on the traveller. Not doing a lot of favours for family tourism to SA.

bylromarha

Got back from SA yesterday. Took our kids long birth certificates with us-but only knew this as I checked visa requirements prior to flying.

Interesting what above poster says about BA nearly refusing the flight. OH was denied boarding by Easyjet last year as he didnt have a visa. He was transitting to another airline in moscow. Russian embassy said it was fine to fly without a visa, russian airport said it was fine to fly without a visa, easyjet denied him boarding. Airlines make up their own rules to protect themselves which go against the countries they're flying to.

MasterPoo

Moto2 wrote: »

My hero

It must be a long way up to that saddle, careful you don't fall

Yep I'm sitting pretty up here because I checked all my travel details before travelling!

SW I was merely giving another example.:cool::D