A task team will be established to look at the implementation of the new visa regulations, Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Friday.

"In many instances we have engaged with many people who had specific concerns about the regulations," Gigaba told reporters in Pretoria after a meeting with airline representatives and travel agents.

"We've agreed with the industry that we will establish a task team... so that we can look at the better implementation of the regulations and iron out any other issues which might arise."

It was clear the department's work affected the tourism industry, and vice versa.

"We need to work together so that we are able to iron out any challenges which do arise in the course of either one of us conducting our businesses," the minister said.

He said the industry had emphasised that South Africa was competing with other destinations around the world.

The department had acknowledged there was a greater need to intensify communication with stakeholders and missions abroad about the new regulations.

A time frame for the task team had not been set, with its focus to be broader than just the tourism industry.

The task team was not a review of the regulations, but of their implementation.

"It's how do we better implement these regulations," Gigaba said.

He said Home Affairs Deputy Minister Fatima Chohan met Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom and the tourism council last week.

An announcement could be expected next week about the regulations and issues specifically raised by the tourism industry.

"We are in the process of considering the presentations which have been made by... Minister Hanekom, which were made last week by the tourism council and which were made today [Friday]," Gigaba said.

"We are almost ready to address in complete terms some of the concerns which they have raised with us that we believe are going to respond favourably to some of the concerns they have raised.

"... We are going to be considering other proposals that have been made regarding unabridged birth certificates and other issues."

The department had an open mind about proposals about the regulations, as long as its needs, especially around child trafficking and security, were accommodated.

In the meantime, the implementation of the new regulations would proceed as planned.

"The different visas that are available will stay and will not be reviewed," Gigaba said. "At the present moment the clock has not stopped."

South Africa's new immigration regulations introduced a new visa regime.

The regulations draw a clear distinction between short-stay visas and long-stay permanent residence permits.

They stipulate that visa applications need to be made by applicants in person, and that those wanting to change the status of their visa can no longer do so in South Africa, but at missions.