The Pretoria-Lomé Axis strengthened by a diplomatic visa exemption Agreement

The Government of the Republic of Togo and the Government of the Republic of South Africa, considering the need to strengthen the friendship and cooperation that exists between the two countries and, wishing to facilitate the entry of nationals of the Republic of Togo and nationals of the Republic of South Africa, holders of valid diplomatic or service passports, in their respective countries without having to obtain a visa, have negotiated and concluded a Visa Waiver Agreement for the benefit of Togolese and South African citizens holders of the said passports.

This important Agreement was signed in Pretoria respectively on 4 December 2023 by His Excellency Professor Robert DUSSEY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Togolese Abroad on behalf of the Togolese Government, and on 6 January 2024 by Honourable Doctor Pakishe Aaron MOTSOALEDI, Minister of Home Affairs on behalf of the South African Government. Under the terms of the Agreement, the two ministerial Departments will be responsible for its implementation in the two countries.

The signed Agreement provides in Article 2 that: «Nationals of the Republic of Togo holders of valid diplomatic or official passports issued by the Government of the Republic of Togo and nationals of the Republic of South Africa, holders of a valid diplomatic or official passports issued by the Government of the Republic of South Africa may enter, leave or transit the territory of the other State Party without a visa, for a period of stay not exceeding ninety (90) days from the date of entry. »

In terms of Paragraph 2 of this Article, « staff of diplomatic or consular missions, holders of valid diplomatic or official passports of a State Party, accredited to the other State Party, as well as members of their family holders of diplomatic or official passports, are exempt from visas during the period of exercise of their function to enter, leave, transit or stay in the territory of the other State Party, provided that the accreditation procedures is completed within thirty (30) days from the date of first entry.»

Thus, after the completion of the internal formalities required by the domestic law of each of the two States in accordance with its Article 10, the Agreement effectively entered into force on 18 June 2024 for both Parties, with immediate effect, following the latest notification relating thereto made to the Togolese Government by the South African Government.

This Agreement, the fruit of the firm will manifested on several occasions by the Highest Authorities of Togo and South Africa during their visits to the two countries, demonstrates the excellence and quality of friendship and cooperation that exists so happily between the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Togo.

Its entry into force now facilitates the movement in the two countries of Dignitaries and other personalities, civil servants, diplomats and other officials holding diplomatic or official passports. For Togolese citizens holding these types of passports for example and providing the administrative documents required by their service, there is no longer any need to go to the South African Embassy accredited to our country and based in Cotonou to complete visa application formalities.

To access the above-mentioned Agreement in English, please click here….

For more information on countries benefiting from Visa Waiver Agreements with South Africa, please refer to this website https: //www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries

Pretoria, 22 June 2024.