Download Newsflash – JULY
VISA Information
Australia Visa now processed through VFS Global
Please be advised that the Australian High Commission’s processing time is approximately 45 days from the date of biometric submission at the VFS application Centre. The Australian High Commission strongly suggests that tickets should not be confirmed or purchased prior to visa approval. All applicants must submit their biometrics at the VFS application centre within 10 days of the completion of the online application process. Incomplete applications will delay the online application process.
UK Visas – Delays in Processing
We have noticed a delay in the processing of visa applications for the UK. Please allow minimum +-17 working days for normal visas and +-7 working days for priority visas from date of appointment.
Schengen Visas – High Season
Schengen visa applications are in high Season. Due to high demand appointments availability and processing times may be delayed. You can apply up to 3 months prior to your travel dates. At present we have noticed a delay of 2 months to get an appointment for a visa.
USA Visa Appointments Delayed
Please note there is currently a delay in the availability of visa appointment’s for the USA. At present we have noticed a delay of 2 months to get an appointment for a USA visa.
Zimbabwe Ban Foreign Currency
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has made the Zimbabwean dollar the sole currency for legal tender purposes.
The British pound, United States Dollar, South African Rand, Botswana Pula and any other foreign currency whatsoever shall no longer be a legal tender alongside the Zimbabwean Dollar in any transactions in Zimbabwe. This ends the multiple currency regime that Zimbabwe has been using.
Nigeria – e-Yellow Cards
The Nigerian government will phase out the old version of the yellow card. The new e-Yellow card which will become the only valid document proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever. The new card with enhanced security features verifiable anywhere in the world can be done by scanning the bar code or checking the card number on the yellow card portal. The introduction of the new e- Yellow card otherwise known as Internation-al Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) is to address the issue of fake ‘yellow cards’.
Congo – Ebola Outbreak
The World Health Organisation’s latest Situation Report on the Ebola outbreak in the DRC shows that there has been a gradual decrease in the number of new Ebola virus disease cases from the hotspots of Katwa and Butembo. However these encouraging signs are offset by a marked increase in case incidence in Mabalako Health Zonen and especially in Aloya Health Area.
Thailand – Dengue Fever
The Department of Disease Control in Bangkok has announced a dengue haemorrhagic fever epidemic as there have been 28,785 patients 43 of whom died the situation is the same in Thailand’s neighboring countries due to a similar climate and the epidemic is attributed to the failure to control mosquito larvae.
Beware of Online Booking Hoilday Scams
Online holiday booking scams once again came into the spotlight as new research by Abta into cybersecurity has revealed UK holiday makers lost more than £7m to fake sites and fraud. fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated methods to target destinations and times of year when demand is high and availability limited as they know people will be looking for good deals. More than 5,000 people reported being scammed in the last year.
OR Tambo International Airport
OR Tambo International Airport is to extend its irregular baggage rules over July. Since March round bags, bags with long hanging straps and those without flat surfaces have had a restriction placed on them no passenger will be turned back due an irregular bag rather our agents will educate the passenger on the correct bag.
Flysafair – Check-In
FlySafair launched their Check-in the check-in rangers with pink sashes will tag bags and issue boarding passes in minutes. The new process will be available at King Shaka International Airport, OR Tambo International and Cape Town International Airport. After the quick process travellers with luggage will proceed to the check-in desk or head straight to the boarding gate.
PLEASE CHECK GRAYSTON TRAVELS WEBSITE FOR HOLIDAY SPECIALS.
PLEASE NOTE:
All prices quoted are subject to change without prior notice, due to airfare increases and / or currency fluctuations and subject to availability.
