Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South Africa's Department of Home Affairs have reached an agreement that facilitates the process of obtaining visa for Iranian traders.
Based on the agreement signed between the Consulate Affairs Department of Iran's Foreign Ministry and South Africa's Visa Permits Department, a variety of facilities will henceforth be offered to Iranian businesspeople for simplifying visa issuance and facilitating travel to the African nation, the Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture said on its website on Monday.
Based on the agreement, if Iranian traders and businesspeople offer an official introduction from any of Iran's chambers of commerce to get visas from South Africa, they will receive an appropriate response in three to a maximum of five days.
More importantly, businesspeople who receive a formal introduction from a chamber of commerce in Iran will not have to present an invitation from their trade and business partners in South Africa.
The agreement allows South African citizens, including businesspeople, traders and tourists, to receive visas at Iranian airports. In response, South Africa has committed to issue multiple-entry visas that will remain credible for one to three years for traders who have entered the country multiple times using one-time visa.
What is more, South Africa has agreed to renew the visas of Iranian traders with a validity of under 90 days if they refer to a designated website seven days before their the visa period is over.
For businesspeople with more than 90 days left on their visas, South Africa has committed to renew visa only if they undergo due process 60 days before their visa's expiry.
