South Africa’s department of Home Affairs says it is “unfortunate” that New Zealand has introduced visa requirements for all citizens wanting to travel there from November 21.

“The department respects the decision taken by New Zealand‚ as a sovereign state‚ in the interest of their security obligations‚” the department said in a statement on Wednesday.

“On our part‚ we will continue to engage with the New Zealand government to arrive at a common understanding on the matter. To this end‚ we find it unfortunate given the vast improvements to our systems over the years. The department will consider a response and communicate once it has been concluded.”

TMG Digital reported on Monday that South Africans wishing to visit the silver fern nation would have to find an extra R1‚650 for the visa due to concerns over travellers using counterfeit or fraudulent passports.

This followed tighter rules being imposed by Britain for the same reason‚ in 2009.

“These changes are being made as a result of an increase in the number of South African nationals who have been refused entry at the New Zealand border in comparison to other visa waiver countries‚” the New Zealand government announced on Monday.