Shereen is a Director of the firm and is an experienced and dynamic family law expert. Over the last 30 years she has successfully represented clients and resolved disputes in private client matters as diverse as divorces and relationship break-ups and post-divorce disputes, parenting disputes, relocation disputes, Hague applications and estate related disputes. She also drafts ante-nuptial contracts and co-habitation and surrogate parenting agreements. She is particularly skilled in mediation support and strategic advice. She often deals with complex proprietary disputes and all private law consequences relating to the formation and dissolution of relationships. She has dealt with many international family law matters over the years. She always considers matters from the unique perspective of her client and empowers her clients with clear explanations of their options in any given family law situation. She problem-solves creatively in order to find the best outcome for the individual client. Shereen was a member of the Cape Law Society’s Specialist Family and Gender Committee for 17 years. She is a member of the Western Cape Family Law Forum and remains involved in lobbying for positive change to the law relating to family structures and private relationships in South Africa.

Newsflash | Department of Home Affairs Announces Visa Regulation Amendments

On Tuesday 25 September 2018, following concerns raised by the tourism sector, Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, announced amendments to visa regulations. Changes announced include the following:

Travelling with minors

Documentation proving parental consent for a minor to travel is no longer a requirement. However, it is strongly recommended that travellers carry this documentation. Immigration officials will only insist on documentation by exception – in high risk situations – rather than for all travellers, in line with practice by several other countries. Also, rather than denying entry where documentation is absent, travellers will be given an opportunity to prove parental consent. These changes will be implemented in good time for the festive season when many people would be travelling with children.

South Africans will still be required to prove parental consent and have an unabridged birth certificate if they want to travel abroad with their minor children.

Gigaba also announced a passport for minors that will eventually see the end of unabridged birth certificates as the document will have the contact details of both parents.

Visa waivers

The Department is reviewing the visa regime for other Africa countries in line with the African free movement agenda. Negotiations are being finalised to conclude Visa Waiver Agreements for ordinary passport holders with Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Sao Tome & Principe, Tunisia, Saharawi-Arab Democratic Republic, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, State of Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Belarus, Georgia and Cuba.

Simplification of visa requirements

The Department is simplifying visa requirements for countries such as China and India. This will make provision for taking biometrics on arrival in South Africa; allowing visa applications via courier and issuing 5-year multiple entry visas. The Department is also consider easing, similarly, travel restrictions for certain categories of visitors for other countries, including Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda.

Long term multiple entry visas

The Department has implemented long term multiple entry visas for frequent travellers, namely:

  • A three-year multiple entry visa for frequent trusted travellers to South Africa, and
  • A ten-year long-term multiple entry visa for business people and academics from Africa.

BRICS Visa

Business people from BRICS countries who require visas (China and India) are issued a 10-year multiple entry visa, within 5 days of application. They do not need to apply in person, and can use courier services.

e-Visa

The development of e-Visa is at an advanced stage and will be piloted in New Zealand, by April 2019. This will significantly enhance efficiency in the issuing of visas to tourists and business people visiting our country.

e-Gates

We will begin piloting e-Gates at OR Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka International Airports by 2019. This will allow returning South African citizens, as well as certain categories of trusted travellers, to be processed electronically rather than having to interact with an immigration officer.

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