Visa policy of South Africa

Entry stamp for South Africa

The visa policy of South Africa is the policy by which the South African government determines who may and may not enter their country. Visitors to South Africa must obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries, in which case they get what is called a "Port of Entry Visa". Visitors who require a visa must apply in person and provide biometric data.[1]

All visitors must hold a passport valid for 1 month after departure and with one blank page (two if a visa is required).[2]

Visa policy map

  South Africa
  Visa-free access to South Africa for 90 days
  Visa-free access to South Africa for 30 days
  Visa-free access to South Africa for diplomatic, official and service passports
  Visa required to enter South Africa and for landside/airside transit

Visa exemptions

The following nationals can enter South Africa, without a visa:[3]

90 days

Nationals of the following 47 countries/territories who hold valid national passports are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 90 days:

1 - only ordinary passport holders
2 – 90 days per year
3 - British Citizens and British Overseas Territories citizens only

30 days

Citizens of the following 29 countries/territories who hold valid national passports are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 30 days:

Diplomatic, service and official passports

Citizens who are holders of diplomatic, official and service passports of the following countries do not require visas for the period indicated and transit:

1 - diplomatic passports only.

Eligible international organizations

Individuals holding the following travel documents are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of 90 days or less:

Staff members of SADC who travel on SADC laissez-passer are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide official business visits of 90 days or less and transit.

Visa types

Visas issued by South Africa are for:[6]

Temporary residence visas issued by South Africa are:[7]

Overstay consequences

According to the amended South African Immigration Act 13 of 2002, foreign nationals overstaying the expiry of their South African visas will be determined “undesirable” and, consequently, face being banned from the Republic for a period of up to 5 years.[8]

Minors

As of 1 June 2015 all minors under the age of 18 travelling in and out of South Africa must hold, in addition to their passport, an unabridged birth certificate[9] with particulars of both parents. This applies to both domestic and foreign citizens. If the child is travelling with only one parent, there must be an affidavit in which the absent parent gives consent. If the child is travelling with a third person an affidavit with consent of both parents must be produced. Unaccompanied minors must hold the same affidavit and also information on the local South African host.[10][11] These rules have been widely criticized by the tourism industry, but they have been instated to fight the widespread human trafficking.[12][13]

See also

External images

Google map of South African ports of entry

References

  1. ↑ New visa rules will hurt tourism: DA
  2. ↑ South African Department of Home Affairs (accessed 10 March 2013)
  3. ↑ "Visa Information". Timatic. IATA. Retrieved 17 December 2013.
  4. ↑ only with regard to holders of British National (Overseas) passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports
  5. ↑ only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR)
  6. ↑ "Types of Visas". Department of Home Affairs.
  7. ↑ "Types of Temporary Residence Visas". Department of Home Affairs.
  8. ↑ "Overstay Visa South Africa". Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  9. ↑ "Travelling with children to or from South Africa? Child Visa Checklist app helps". Drive South Africa. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
  10. ↑ Unabridged Birth Certificate For Minors – All You Need To Know
  11. ↑ How to travel with children into and out of SA
  12. ↑ The sorry, messy unabridged birth certificate saga: SA front pages, 2015-05-22
  13. ↑ South Africa's new rules on travelling with children 'may deter families'
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