The UK is losing out on tourism from South Africa because of less welcoming visa controls, according to immigration agency, Globalvisas.com,
The agency warned this week that South Africans are turning their back on the UK in favour of countries including Australia, Canada and the US.
It believes South Africans who apply for a UK visa find themselves “treated to a third world service at inflated pricesâ€.
“We believe unfair treatment is causing South Africans to reject the UK in favour of pastures new and more welcoming,†said managing director Liam Clifford.
“Individuals have endured unacceptable treatment as systems have failed to work properly, meaning some people have lost their visa fees through no fault of their own.
“Problems have occurred at the hands of VFS Global, the private company employed to issue visas in South Africa, and the shortcomings of the UK immigration department and its appointed agent have resulted in South Africans seeking to go elsewhere.
“It is heinous that South Africans are losing their money and, often, the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to the UK, without any chance of an appeal.
“The way UK Plc is treating South Africans may finally bring to an end a long-standing love affair, as South Africans look to new destinations which offer a warm welcome and friendship. Maybe it’s time to charge UK nationals a large visa fee to visit South Africa for their holiday!”
Over the last few years, UK immigration controls have been tightened and in the last move a charge of £50 has been introduced for South Africans to wait in UK domestic airports while flying on to another country.
A 10-year multiple entry visitor visa now costs £500, while a Skilled Working visa (Tier 1) costs £680.
By Bev Fearis
