AFRICA BORDER CLOSURES AND IMMIGRATION UPDATE

Several government structures were implemented to manage the spread of the Corona virus. This resulted in full economic lockdown in many countries with strict travel regulations being one of the most devastating restrictions immediately implemented in an attempt to flatten the curve.

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COUNTRY	UPDATE ON CURRENT RESTRICTIONS
Angola	Commercial flights to Angola remain extremely limited. Angola’s borders remain closed. Entry to Angola is prohibited except for Angolan nationals and foreign nationals’ resident in Angola. Exceptions are made for medical evacuations, for a small number of humanitarian flights and for the entry and exit of essential workers. All air passengers arriving in Angola are required to have taken a coronavirus test in the 72 hours prior to their arrival in Angola. You should carry proof of your test result with you. All air passengers arriving in Angola will need to undertake 14 days of compulsory quarantine in a government facility or in a government-approved hotel. Those that tested negative prior to their arrival into Angola may quarantine in their homes. The Department of Immigration and Ministries are operational for issuance of favourable opinions for work visa applications, and submissions of work / residence / ordinary visas and / or renewal applications.
Botswana	There are no commercial flights into or out of Botswana. The Botswana authorities have also closed land border posts with neighbouring countries. Entry to Botswana is open only to Botswana nationals and foreign nationals with valid work and residency visas provided that they received the necessary approval from Government. Returning residents will be subject to a 14 days mandatory quarantine period in government facilities at their own expense and compulsory COVID-19 testing. The Authorities are strict in terms of entry to Botswana and will conduct a thorough investigation prior to allowing entry. Kindly note that an approval from the Ministry of Health is required prior entry to Botswana.
Ghana	The borders in Ghana reopened on the 01st September 2020 and permits holders as well as residence can book flights and depart. Travellers must adhere with the below regulations in order to be allowed into the country— 1. Any passenger arriving in Ghana must be in possession of a negative Covid-19 PCR test result from an accredited laboratory in the country of origin. The test should have been done not more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure from the country of origin. All airlines have been instructed to ensure compliance with this directive for all passengers wishing to travel to Ghana, and those airlines who fail in this regard will be duly sanctioned; 2. Disembarking passengers must do so wearing face masks; 3. Upon disembarking from the aeroplane, each passenger will undergo a mandatory Covid-19 test at the airport terminal, at a fee to be borne by the passenger. The test result will be available within 30 minutes; 4. Children under the ages of five will not be required to undergo testing at the airport 5. Passengers, who test positive for Covid-19, will be handled by the health authorities for further clinical assessment and management; 6. Passengers, who test negative, can, thereupon, enter Ghana to go about their lawful activities, and will be advised to continue to observe Covid-19 safety precautions during their stay in Ghana. The Department of Immigration is fully operational for all applications for work and residence permits. Furthermore, visas on arrival for applicable nationalities are available. It is recommended to verify prior to travel should there have been any changes on visas on arrival issuances for select countries without prior notice.
Ivory Coast	The borders in Ivory Coast are open, with the exception of land and maritime borders. Work permit holders as well as essential permit holders can enter provided that they receive an approval from the relevant authorities prior departure. A COVID clearance certificate is required to enter the country. The Authorities are operational and accept work and residence permits applications currently.
Lesotho	Lesotho remains on lockdown and borders are closed except for all but essential trade. SAA Airlink flights between Maseru and Johannesburg Airport have been suspended. Moshoeshoe International Airport and the border crossing points at Maseru Bridge, Caledonspoort (Butha Buthe), Maputsoe Bridge, Qacha’s Nek Bridge and Vanrooyens Gate (Mafeteng) remain open, but with reduced operating hours, for conveyance of essential goods and services only. Entry and exit to Lesotho is allowed with approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide or receive emergency medical services for a life threatening condition. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised that foreign visitors will be permitted to leave Lesotho to board flights out of South Africa when flights resume. However, visitors to Lesotho must travel through, or transit via, South Africa.
Malawi	All flights are suspended until further notice. However, travellers can enter by road provided that they are essential permit holders. The Departments of Labour and Immigration are accepting applications however, processing of same is lengthy as they are not fully operational. International restrictions – Entry to Malawi is prohibited except for Malawian nationals and foreign nationals with valid residency visas for Malawi. Although commercial routes remain closed, there are limited charter flights still operating to Lilongwe. Travellers drive to reach Malawi as this is the best way to enter the country under these circumstances. Travellers must present a COVID-19-free certificate and present themselves to screening and testing for COVID-19.
Mozambique	Commercial flights to and from Maputo remain extremely limited. Entry to Mozambique is prohibited except for Mozambican nationals and foreign nationals with a valid work and residence permit for Mozambique. Recently, the regulations changed and holders of a work and residence permit, or a ‘DIRE’ identification and residency documents for foreigners, will not need to obtain prior permission from authorities to enter or leave Mozambique. Those with temporary stay visas, or business visas will be required to obtain authorization from the Ministry of Interior for entry into Mozambique. All travellers must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test issued from their departure country within 72 hours prior to travel. You may be tested for COVID-19 on your arrival in Mozambique. You will need to quarantine in your own accommodation for 10 days upon arrival. If you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, your self-isolation period increases to 14 days. If you do not have the means to pay for a COVID-19 test, you will need to self-isolate for 14 days. All arriving passengers are required to provide their contact details to the Mozambican authorities. The Departments of Labour and Immigration are accepting new work and residence permit applications as well as renewals.
Namibia	Namibia’s borders are opened with commercial flights operating to and from Namibia. International tourists arriving by air do not have to quarantine, but must be made available for additional testing should authorities deem the same requirements. Those arriving by road will be subject to quarantine for up to 14 days quarantine subject at their own cost at an approved facility. Tourist passengers arriving to Namibia must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, valid for 72 hours before boarding their flight to Namibia. Foreign residents of Namibia must present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result, valid for 7 days before boarding their flight to Namibia. It is important that failure to comply with COVID regulations in Namibia during stay is subject to a fine of 2000 Namibian dollars. The Department of Immigration is operational and processing all types of visa and permit applications. Delays in processing are anticipated due to skeleton staff.
Nigeria	International commercial flights resumed in Abuja and Lagos on 5 September. UNHAS Ops still running. National land borders are not yet opened. The Government of Nigeria requires a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 5 days (120 hours) before departure. Additionally, children 10 years old and younger no longer require the PCR test. Passengers who have arrived in Nigeria must self-isolate for eight (8) days if the COVID retest on day seven (7) is negative. If retest results are positive, passengers must self-isolate for 14 days. Isolating in the city of port entry (Abuja or Lagos) is recommended but not required. Nigerian Immigration Services is operational and has resumed visas on arrival, temporary work permit applications, and applications for residence permits.
Swaziland	Non-essential travel has been prohibited in Swaziland. Immigration Authorities are allowing Work Permit holders to enter the country, and in some cases, a letter from the Department of Immigration is required to enter the country. Work Permit applications are currently accepted, however, the processing time is longer due to the current circumstances. The country’s borders are closed, except for returning citizens and legal residents who are subject to a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. Foreign nationals from high-risk countries will not be allowed to enter Eswatini until further notice. Visas already issued have been revoked.
Zambia	Zambia eased their travel restrictions and travellers may now enter the country provided that they have a COVID clearance certificate from the country where they come from, a Ministry of Health letter, as well as a valid legal status in the country (Visas and work permit). An approval from the Department of Labour is also required to be cleared when the traveller arrives. The Authorities are accepting permits applications, however, processing thereof will be delayed as they are not fully operational. All travellers coming into Zambia will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) PCR test result. The test should have been conducted within the previous 14 days prior to arrival to Zambia. Travelers who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed into Zambia. Upon arrival, symptomatic individuals will be tested for COVID-19 (SARS-Cov-2) at the airports and will be required to enter isolation protocol at a Zambian government facility.
Zimbabwe	Borders in Zimbabwe are still officially closed. However, it is possible to apply for entry approval from the Department of Immigration in Zimbabwe. All travellers are subject to quarantine for 14 days. Travelers who arrive in Zimbabwe with a negative COVID-19 test performed within 48 hours of arrival may proceed to their homes where they must quarantine for 14 days. Arriving passengers without a COVID-19 test must either be tested upon arrival or quarantine in a government center for 14 days. Diplomats are exempt from the testing requirement, but must still respect the 14-day home quarantine. Borders remain open for cargo. The Department of Immigration is accepting applications for work and residence permits. However, a delay is anticipated as they are operating with skeleton staff on a rotational basis.

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Work Permits SA subscribe to Google’s rules on transparency. We are a privately-owned immigration practice and as such comply with the Immigration Act of South Africa. We are not the South African Government. We charge for our expertise in successfully applying for temporary and permanent residency services. Forms that are supplied during the process can be collected free of charge at any Department of Home Affairs office but are provided as part of the service. Users who wish to do so can contact the Department of Home Affairs directly at www.home-affairs.gov.za.

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