South Africa to scrap visa exemption for Palestinians

December 13, 2025

Reported by AI

Despite its international support for Palestine, South Africa is ending the 90-day visa exemption for Palestinians. The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for scrapping the policy.

South Africa has positioned itself as a staunch international ally of the Palestinian people. However, the Department of Home Affairs is now scrapping the 90-day visa exemption that allowed Palestinians to enter the country without a visa for short stays. This decision, highlighted in reporting by Rebecca Davis, appears at odds with the nation's pro-Palestinian stance. The reasons for ending the exemption remain unexplained in current accounts, prompting questions about the motivations driving the change.

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