Where your South African passport can take you this year – minus the visa hassle!
It’s a new year, a time for making resolutions like vowing to eat healthier foods, to hit the gym regularly, to try new things or to see new places.
If travelling is on your agenda for 2015, there are many countries you can travel to visa-free with your South African passport. Or if you’re looking for a much bigger adventure or seeking business opportunities by relocating overseas, there are programmes in place to help you on your way.
Andrew Taylor, vice-president of Henley & Partners, the global leaders in Residence and Citizenship Planning, says some of the best places to visit aren’t always|the obvious ones, but they’re filled with history and interesting places to see.
Henley & Partners advises clients on the best options and programmes currently available for acquiring alternative citizenship or residence, develops a plan of action and makes it happen.
“If you’re considering relocating somewhere to advance your business or give your children |a chance at an international education, it’s also generally a good |idea to visit the country first on a recce.”
Taylor’s top visa-free holiday destinations for 2015 include:
Zimbabwe
Visa-free for: 3 Months.
Why you should visit: The New York Times International recently named this close-to-home country as a “once avoided”, but now “must visit” travel destination. Ranking 14th on the publication’s list of 52 must-see destinations this year, Zimbabwe was chosen for its “beauty and bounty”, which has been “overshadowed by political unrest and economic collapse over the past few years”, according to the publication.
But, they emphasised, “today, the government is finally stable, the overinflated Zimbabwean dollar is gone, and the prices are low”. Our neighbouring country for their game, natural beauty and, of course, Victoria Falls. Furthermore, a new international terminal is due to open at Victoria Falls Airport later this year.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Visa-free for: 3 Months
Why you should visit: The ultimate destinations for rest, relaxation and natural beauty can be found in the Caribbean.
For those seeking an island holiday, sinking their toes into soft sand and marvelling at crystal-clear blue sea with an icy-cold cocktail in hand, then St Kitts and Nevis is an ideal idyllic location for a holiday this year.
Described as “one of the most seductive spots in the Caribbean”, the islands are also rich in history for those seeking culture.
Hong Kong
Visa-free for: 30 Days
Why you should visit: “Asia’s World City” and the most densely populated\[denzil.moyaga\] city in the world boasts attractions including Victoria Harbour, markets, theme parks, towering skyscrapers and delicacies for the brave and not-so-brave.
And there’s also Hong Kong Disneyland for those with children in tow, or for the adults who still believe in a little magic and harbour a long-lived desire to meet Mickey Mouse. Not just for the business traveller, Hong Kong is a prime location for those looking for a holiday jam-packed with city sights, Cantonese cuisine and lots of fun.
Singapore
Visa-free for: 30 Days
Why you should visit: Singapore celebrates their golden jubilee this year and South Africans are able to attend at any time during their full year of events and celebrations – visa-free.
The 50-year milestone anniversary will be celebrated by Singapore “as one people”. All Singaporeans have been invited to share |their ideas and events through |the “SG50” website (www.singa|pore50.sg), promising a wide variety of celebratory plans to entertain anyone wishing to join in.
If you’re interested in relocating \[louis.neethling\]more permanently\[louis.neethling\] this year, Taylor advises that several countries offer investors options to acquire citizenship or residence through investment.
Malta:
Malta offers the only programme of its kind, according to Taylor, which provides visa-free travel to the US\[denzil.moyaga\]United States.
Malta’s Individual Investor Program offers investors the chance to live and work in Europe with an passport, attend European educational institutions and allow visa-free travel to more countries.
“Under the Malta programme, one person can apply with an up-front cost of about e900 000 (R13 million) and obtain full European citizenship for life, and spouses and children can also qualify for citizenship,” Taylor says.
Portugal:
Alongside citizenship-by-investment programmes, there are |also residence-by-investment programmes, such as Portugal’s Golden Residence Permit Programme (GRP), which issued more than 1 000 residence permits |last year.
“The key benefit of this programme is that Portugal is a full member of the EU and, therefore, residence here allows you to travel visa-free to all the notoriously difficult Schengen area countries, as well as to work, live or study in Portugal,” says Taylor.
“The investment required for the GRP is a e500 000 property purchase. The processing of a residence permit is relatively quick, in approximately 90 days, and after six years of residency (during which only 35 days of actual residency in a five year period is required), an investor is eligible to apply for citizenship.”