Johannesburg - Visitors needing visas to visit South Africa for the 2010 World Cup will be issued with a special event visa, Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said on Tuesday.

"This will be the first time that such a visa will be used by a country hosting a major world event," he said.

The event visa will apply mainly to African visitors from non-Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries who would normally require visas to enter South Africa.

It will also be issued for the Confederations Cup next year.

The special visa is part of "an action plan to provide efficient immigration services in the period leading up to 2010," Mapisa-Nqakula said.

Pre-screening and pre-clearance would be done at selected ports of entry.

"This will enhance our ability to facilitate the entry and exit through our borders and to prevent undesirable persons from entering our country," he said. (dpa)