Ayra Starr denied visa over wrong certificate — S’African envoy

The South African Consul-General to Nigeria, Professor Bobby Moroe, has clarified that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was initially denied a visa to South Africa not due to her status, but because she submitted an inappropriate yellow fever certificate. Moroe explained that the incident, which occurred in February 2024, was not a recent development as portrayed in some reports.

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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.

According to Moroe, the controversy resurfaced after reports alleged that Starr and her team were denied entry visas. He stated that the South African mission met with Starr's team to clarify the requirements. The rejection was based solely on failure to meet visa regulations, specifically submitting a yellow fever certificate from another country instead of her home country. "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.

The Consul-General emphasized that the matter was subsequently resolved amicably, and Ayra Starr was granted a one-year visa to perform in South Africa in 2024. He noted that this resolution seemed to have been overlooked in subsequent reports. Moroe reiterated that all visa applicants are assessed based on immigration requirements, irrespective of their fame or status. "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 stated.

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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.

This clarification comes amid concerns about alleged visa restrictions on Nigerians traveling to South Africa. The South African diplomat firmly dismissed claims that the country had stopped issuing visas to Nigerians, asserting that all visa decisions are strictly based on meeting the established requirements. He assured that whether one is Ayra Starr or any other individual, qualification based on submitted documents is the sole determinant for visa approval.

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Whether you are Ayra Starr or anyone, if you qual