South Africa explains Ayra Starr’s visa rejection

The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Prof Bobby Moroe, has clarified that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was not denied a visa because of her nationality or celebrity status, but because she allegedly submitted an inappropriate yellow fever vaccination certificate.

Moroe made the clarification in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, saying the incident occurred in February 2024 and was not a recent visa rejection as suggested by some reports.

According to the diplomat, the controversy resurfaced after reports claimed that Starr and members of her team had been denied visas to South Africa.

He said the South African mission subsequently engaged with the singer’s team and explained the requirements that needed to be fulfilled.

“One of the challenges was that they did not submit an appropriate yellow fever certificate. They submitted the yellow fever certificate of another country when they were supposed to submit the yellow fever certificate of their home country,” Moroe said.

He said the issue was later resolved and Starr and her team were granted visas, including a one-year visa for the singer to travel to South Africa for performances in 2024.

Moroe stressed that South African immigration authorities assess visa applications based on established requirements, regardless of an applicant’s profile.

“If you meet the requirement for a visa, whether you are a star or not, tall, short, black or white, if you qualify, you will get it. But if you don’t, regardless of who you are, the immigration section will uphold the immigration law of the country,” he said.

He explained that travellers are required to provide relevant documentation, including an appropriate yellow fever certificate from their home country as proof of vaccination.

The clarification comes amid renewed concerns over alleged difficulties faced by some Nigerians, particularly entertainers, in obtaining South African visas.

Moroe dismissed claims that South Africa had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, describing the allegation as false.

“Whether you are Ayra Starr or anyone, if you qualify, you will get it,” he said.

The diplomat also disclosed that the number of visa applications from Nigerians had increased in recent months.

He said monthly applications had risen from an average of between 40 and 60 to between 60 and 80.

Meanwhile, the South African Consulate in Lagos reportedly issued visas on Wednesday to five Nigerian disc jockeys travelling to South Africa for an event.

One of the DJs, Solomon Akinkunmi, confirmed the development, saying he received a one-year visa while the other four were issued three-month visas.

The development further underscores the South African mission’s position that visa applications by Nigerians continue to be processed based on compliance with established immigration requirements.