South Africa denies stopping visas for Nigerians over anti-migrant protests

The South African Consulate in Lagos has refuted claims that it has ceased issuing visas to Nigerians due to anti-migrant protests in South Africa. Consul General Prof. Bobby Moroe confirmed that every applicant who fulfills the requirements will still undergo processing without any prejudice. Moroe also unveiled South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation system, a digital platform aimed at streamlining and accelerating the travel authorization process, replacing certain elements of the conventional visa application procedure.

According to Moroe, the sole justification for visa denial is the failure to satisfy the established criteria, and the recent xenophobic demonstrations in South Africa have no influence on the evaluation of Nigerian applications. "Visas persist in being granted despite the ongoing protests, and Nigerians are still traveling to the country for tourism and other legitimate reasons," Moroe stated.

Regarding the new Electronic Travel Authorisation system, Moroe emphasized that it diminishes documentation requisites and renders the application process more accessible. Prospective travelers can now submit their applications through mobile devices, rendering the process swifter, safer, and more convenient. This clarification was made as South Africa and Nigeria continue to experience heightened tensions following a prolonged series of xenophobic assaults and anti-migrant protests initiated in April 2026.

The attacks prompted the Nigerian government to repatriate approximately 1,490 Nigerians through a formal evacuation program, with an additional 83 anticipated returns on Wednesday, August 19, via privately funded flights. The Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously denounced the murder of two Nigerian citizens by South African law enforcement and threatened that "all options remain available" should attacks on Nigerians persist.

This has sparked conjectures about countermeasures impacting travel between the two nations. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu also expressed his disapproval of the attacks and urged African leaders to adopt a unified stance against the wave of xenophobic attacks in South Africa, labeling the incidents as unacceptable and against the principles of African fraternity.

Earlier this month, Nairametrics reported that South Africa is contemplating a new ZAR 500 ($30) processing fee for travelers submitting applications for its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), as the nation expands its digital border management framework. The proposed fee was published by South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs and is presently open to public consultation until August 11, 2026.

If adopted, it will impose a standardized processing charge for qualified travelers applying for the online travel authorization. The proposed charge is anticipated to affect foreign nationals, including Nigerians, who need travel authorization for short-term visits to South Africa.