DHA ups festive UBC service

THE DHA is assisting
passengers travelling with
minors during the festive
season, including a team
to speed up the issuing of
unabridged birth certificates.
While concessions were
made to the controversial
immigration regulations
that were implemented on
June 1, SA children under 18
still must produce the UBC
at ports of entry, as well as
their passport and affidavits
confirming parental consent
when one parent is not
travelling.
Rachael Penaluna,
business manager at Sure
Maritime Travel, told TNW
her agency had experienced
cancellations due to families
not receiving their UBCs in
time. “It takes eight weeks
to apply for and be issued
with the UBC – which is
required for each travelling
child,” said the Department’s
dg, Mkuseli Apleni. “Those
whose applications have
exceeded eight weeks
and have not received the
certificates are advised
to visit their Home Affairs
office where they will be
given a letter to use in place
of the UBC. This is only in
the event that they need to
travel.”
For children who already
have passports, the DHA
had done a pre-modification
in terms of which offices
were able to issue them
with UBCs on the spot,
said Mkuseli. “Where there
are problems with the
application, an sms will
be sent to the applicants,
encouraging them to go to
the office where they applied
to receive assistance.”
The DHA has also
extended office hours at
selected ports of entry and
added extra resources to
accommodate the busy
festive period. There are
dedicated phone numbers
for travellers requiring
assistance with the UBCs:
072 634 0614/072 634
0589/073 567 6208/073
567 5968.