Ayra Starr Denied Visa Over Wrong Certificate – South African Envoy

The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Bobby Moroe, has explained why Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was initially denied a visa to enter South Africa.

Moroe clarified that the singer’s visa application was rejected in February 2024 because she and her team submitted an inappropriate yellow fever certificate.

He explained that the decision had nothing to do with Ayra Starr’s status as a celebrity or her nationality, but was based strictly on the country’s visa requirements.

According to Moroe, the issue recently resurfaced after reports claimed that Ayra Starr and her team had been denied visas to South Africa.

He said the South African mission later met with the singer’s team to explain the requirements and resolve the issue.

Moroe stated, “I do not see the relevance of that rejection to the development of today, except for using that rejection to sow division.

“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.

“Subsequently, the matter was resolved amicably and they were granted a one-year visa to go and perform in South Africa in 2024, and I think that was what they forgot to mention.”

The envoy stressed that all visa applicants are expected to meet the required immigration conditions, regardless of their profession, popularity or social status.

He explained that travellers from countries such as Nigeria are required to provide the appropriate yellow fever certificate from their home country as proof of vaccination when applying to travel to South Africa.

Moroe said, “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.

“Whether you are Ayra Starr or anyone, if you qualify, you will get it. The narrative that we have stopped issuing visas to Nigerians is false. We are not politicians; we don’t get into politics. Whether there are unrest or not, if you qualify for the visa, you will be given.”

Moroe also revealed that the number of visa applications from Nigerians has increased in recent months.

According to him, the South African mission now receives between 60 and 80 visa applications from Nigerians every month, compared with the previous figure of about 40 to 60 applications.

He added, “The visa applications have increased compared to the past. Before now, it used to be between 40 and 60 applications monthly, but now it has increased to between 60 and 80 applications monthly.”