Speaking after a meeting with Business Unity South Africa (Busa), Dlamini-Zuma said all South African passport holders were required to apply for a UK visa.

"They said it is just policy, that once they introduce a visa (requirement) they do it across the board," she said.

Dlamini-Zuma added that UK visas were a concern to her department.

"Whatever we do, we have to make sure that it is corrected."

Dlamini-Zuma said South Africa should also be looking at the permit system for students and foreign workers.

"We have to create an environment where scarce skills can come into SA easily and contribute to the economy."

There was no reason why foreign students, business people and people with skills that were in short supply should not to get work permits in their country of residence, she added.

Her department was looking at extending the work permits of people with scarce skills to five years.

"If I was a scarce skill, I would want to know that if I go to a country I'll be able to get a permit that will last me for five years - and not to have to chase the permit every year," Dlamini-Zuma said.