South African Family Christmas in New Zealand Ruined by Late Visa Changes

Grandfather Chris Dods-Brooks, now living in New Zealand, had been looking forward to a long-awaited family reunion at Christmas, when he would meet his four grandchildren for the very first time. The tickets were booked. But on 21 November visa laws changed, and his dream Christmas got cancelled…

“Why were we given no time to sort this out?” says Chris. “Canada gave their citizens six months [when there were visa changes] but one month before Xmas we get this thrown at us. Our grandchildren (aged 9-11) live in Zimbabwe but were born in South Africa, so to get a visa in time would have been impossible.

“There was nothing on the news media on TV about this. Being on the wrong side of 70 we are not into technology. Our Xmas has been ruined. We have never met these kids and had so many plans for them.

“Their parents are now taking them to Mauritius instead. They are very upset as are their cousins here,” says the devastated granddad.

“Shame on you New Zealand. We had also booked and paid for a bach [holiday home] at Matamata…”

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) made the announcement on 3 October, just 6 weeks before the new law was implemented, that South African passport holders would now require a visitor visa before travelling, even if they’d already bought their tickets. (Previously South Africans were granted a visa upon arrival.)

INZ said the changes were made because of an “increase in the number of ineligible (South African) passengers who do not meet New Zealand entry instructions” (insufficient funds, no outward ticket) and “there have been incidents of passengers who have been found holding counterfeit or fraudulently obtained South African passports”.

Find out more about visa changes for South Africans travelling to New Zealand.