Home Affairs
1Min
South Africa
Dec 6, 2025
The Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn South Africa’s 90-day visa exemption for Palestinian ordinary passport holders following intelligence findings that the system was being deliberately abused by Israeli-linked actors involved in efforts to move Palestinians out of Gaza.
The Department of Home Affairs has withdrawn South Africa’s 90-day visa exemption for Palestinian ordinary passport holders following intelligence findings that the system was being deliberately abused by Israeli-linked actors involved in efforts to move Palestinians out of Gaza.
According to the department, the decision comes after national intelligence structures and the Security Cluster confirmed that the exemption intended for short-term visits and tourism was being exploited through the organisation of charter flights designed to relocate Palestinians rather than facilitate temporary travel.
“When the most recent charter flight landed at OR Tambo International Airport, President Cyril Ramaphosa indicated that the travellers may have been flushed out of Gaza. Subsequent investigations have confirmed this to be the case.
"Withdrawing the visa exemption is the most effective way to prevent further flights of this nature, while ensuring that bona fide travellers from Palestine are safely able to visit South Africa without being subjected to abuse. South Africa will not be complicit in any scheme to exploit or displace Palestinians from Gaza,”said Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber.
The department's spokesperson Carli van Wyk said investigations into two recent charter flights that landed at OR Tambo International Airport revealed that the travellers did not arrange the flights themselves. Instead, intermediaries chartered entire aircraft.
“Most passengers were given one-way tickets to South Africa and prohibited from bringing luggage with them, while only being allowed to carry US Dollars and essentials. Upon their arrival at OR Tambo International Airport, it was further discovered that many of them lacked departure verification and accommodation in South Africa, in addition to not possessing return or onward flight tickets,” van Wyk said.
Authorities say this indicated clear misuse of South Africa’s visa-free entry provisions.
Officials also raised concern that the travellers were left destitute upon arrival, with civil society organisations stepping in to assist. Most of the passengers reportedly stated they did not wish to seek asylum in South Africa.
According to the department, the pattern of travel appears to form part of wider efforts to facilitate the movement of Palestinians from Gaza to various countries.
Investigators said a Dubai-based broker with offices in South Africa had recently requested bulk quotations for additional charter flights.
“Investigations also indicated that the arrival of these charter flights were not intended to be once-off events, but that they may be part of a broader, ongoing effort to relocate Palestinians to other parts of the world. This includes reports that a Dubai-based broker, with offices in South Africa, recently requested bulk quotations for more charter flights to commence as soon as possible.
"In the wake of the withdrawal of the visa exemption, the Department will duly process any asylum applications submitted by the travellers who arrived on the two charter flights, while upholding the terms of the 90-day exemption for those who do not seek asylum,” the department said.
Home Affairs said it will continue processing asylum applications from travellers who arrived on the two flights, while honouring the remaining 90-day exemption terms for those who do not seek asylum. Future visa-free entry for Palestinians will now require formal applications assessed on a case-by-case basis, and any attempts to abuse the system will be rejected.
