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Families travelling to and through South Africa face tougher new entry rules from today (Monday).
A full unabridged birth certificate covering each child aged under 18 travelling will be required.
Additional requirements cover a child travelling with only one parent, with neither biological parent, or unaccompanied.
The new immigration rules aim to counteract the smuggling of children but have raised fears that South Africa’s tourism industry will suffer.
Airlines will be forced to refuse travel to families not in possession of the documents.
South African MP, James Vos, warned that the new immigration rules will cost the tourism sector over R6.8 billion in losses and result in severe job cuts.
Operators to the country have also voiced concerns that families will be put off taking holidays in the country.
The rule change was due to come into force last October but was postponed by eight months.
South African Tourism said: “The minister of tourism in South Africa, Derek Hanekom, is in ongoing discussions with the Department of Home Affairs and other related bodies to assess the potential impact these new rules may have on international tourism arrivals.”