Visa politics are having an impact on travel confidence as visa policies increasingly become a tool of diplomacy and a way to exert political pressure, creating uncertainty for international travellers.
In July 2024, Ireland suddenly introduced visas for South African citizens , citing an increase in asylum applications from third countries using South African passports. In August this year , the US government halted visa applications in Zimbabwe due to concerns with its government and also introduced 10 000 R171 500 visa bonds for Zambia and Malawi.
The UK has also threatened visa sanctions on Angola, Namibia and the DRC over failed deportation efforts, while the EU council approved new rules to suspend visa-free travel for third countries that did not comply with EU regulations.
