South Africa should ensure it is "standing on firm ground" before approaching the United Kingdom to re-negotiate the recently-imposed visa requirements, Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma told MPs on Wednesday.

Responding to a question in the National Assembly on when South Africans could expect to no longer have to apply for a visa before entering the UK, she indicated the decision was up to the UK government.

"As for the UK visa... it was the UK that decided on [this], it wasn't us. So it's not likely that we can determine when that will change."

There had been "objective and subjective reasons" why the UK had introduced the visa requirement.

"And until we are satisfied that we have addressed all the objective reasons, it would not make sense for us to go back to the UK and try and re-negotiate. We should know that we are standing on firm ground by the time we go to them."

The minister gave no indication of how long this process would take.

In February this year, the UK government slapped a visa requirement on South African citizens visiting that country, following concerns about stolen and forged SA passports.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dlamini-Zuma said the country's new passports "meet international standards as we speak now".

From 1 July 2009 all South African passport holders wishing to enter the United Kingdom have been required to obtain a visa before travelling, after the initial visa exemption for those South African passport holders who had previously visited the UK using their current passport had expired.

Since then, all UK visa applications made in South Africa need to be submitted online and an appointment booked to attend a VFS Global — a private company who manage the visa application process — application centres.

Travellers must use the online facility at www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk to make their online application and book their appointment.

Visa application fees can now also be paid online by credit card , although existing payment options of paying in advance at any branch of Nedbank or at a visa application centre by bank guaranteed cheque remain in place. As of 6 October, to apply for a Single/Double/Multiple visit visa, valid up to six months, will cost R838.

What are your thoughts on the visa process? Have you had to apply? Post your comments below...

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