Visa policy of South Africa

Entry stamp for South Africa to a national of Singapore
Exit stamp for South Africa to a national of Singapore

The visa policy of South Africa is how 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]

In December 2016, it was announced that South Africa will review its visa policy in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.[3]

In March 2018, it was announced that South Africa will pilot the first phase of the e-visa system by 31 March 2019.[4]

In September 2018, it was announced that citizens of Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran, Lebanon, the State of Palestine, Belarus, Georgia and Cuba will be able to visit South Africa visa-free.[5] An e-visa pilot programme will begin in New Zealand by April 2019. Furthermore, nationals of São Tomé and Príncipe, Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic, Tunisia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia will also be able to travel visa-free to South Africa for short stays, after visa waiver agreements are finalised. [6]

Visa policy map

Visa policy of South Africa
  South Africa
  Visa-free access to South Africa for 90 days
  Visa-free access to South Africa for 30 days
  Visa required for ordinary passports; Visa-free access for diplomatic, official and service passports
  Visa required for entry to South Africa for all passports

Visa exemptions

Nationals of the following countries can enter South Africa without a visa:[7]

90 days

Nationals of the following 48 countries/territories who hold valid national passports are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 90 days:

1 – for ordinary passport holders only.
2 – the maximum stay is 90 days per year.
3 – for British Citizens, British Overseas Territories citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) (30 days) only.

30 days

Citizens of the following 28 countries/territories who hold valid national passports are not required to obtain South African visas for visits of up to 30 days:

1 – for ordinary passport holders only.

Diplomatic, service and official passports

Citizens who are holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of the following countries do not require visas for visits of the indicated period and transit for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):

1 – 120 days
2 – 30 days

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:[15]

  • Tourism or visits to family or friends
  • Medical treatment
  • Working in the entertainment industry
  • Attending a conference
  • Treaty conditions compliance
  • Maritime crew
  • Cultural, economic and social exchange programmes
  • Transit

Temporary residence visas issued by South Africa are:[16]

  • Business visas
  • Work visas
  • Quota work visas
  • General work visas
  • Critical skills work visa
  • Intra-company Transfer Work visa
  • Corporate visas
  • Study visas
  • Exchange visas
  • Retired persons’ visa
  • Relatives’ visa
  • Medical Treatment visa

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.[17]

Minors

From 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[18] with particulars of both parents. The requirement applies to both domestic and foreign citizens. If the child is travelling with only one parent, an affidavit with the absent parent's consent is required. If the child is travelling with another adult and without both parents, an affidavit with consent of both parents must be produced. An unaccompanied minor, in addition to holding an affidavit and birth certificate, must provide the requisite information of the local South African host.[19][20] The rule has been widely criticized by the tourism industry, but officials claimed that the rule was implemented to fight widespread human trafficking and unilateral child custody abuse in South Africa.[21][22] By October 2016 over 13,000 tourists had been prevented from entering the country due to the unabridged birth certificate requirement, thus having a negative impact on the economy.[23]

In September 2018 the Cabinet announced that they intend on scrapping this controversial requirement for children travelling.[24]

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving to South Africa were from the following countries of nationality:[25][26]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "New visa rules will hurt tourism: DA – IOL News". Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  2. ↑ "Department of Home Affairs – Exempt Countries". www.home-affairs.gov.za. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  3. ↑ Claymore, Ezra (14 December 2016). "DHA revokes visa free travel for New Zealand nationals, but that's just the beginning". Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ "Country information (visa section)". Timatic. International Air Transport Association (IATA) through Olympic Air. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  8. ↑ "Southern Africa: Mozambique and South Africa Extend Visa Waiver Period". 20 April 2017. Retrieved 8 March 2018 – via AllAfrica.
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/Monthly%20Statement/2010/02/monstate.pdf
  11. ↑ Edwards, Caryn (24 November 2017). "Angola-South Africa entry VISA free exemption a big boost for tourism, trade & investment in the Cape". Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  12. ↑ 外交部 (12 July 2017). "中華民國(台灣)外交部全球資訊網". 中華民國外交部 – 全球資訊網 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan). Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  13. ↑ Gschwind, RIC Media – Enrica Hölzinger,Patrick. "Visa & Consular – South African Embassy and Permanent Mission in Vienna". www.suedafrika-botschaft.at. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  14. ↑ "New Zealand travellers now need visas to enter SA – DHA". Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  15. ↑ "Types of Visas". Department of Home Affairs.
  16. ↑ "Types of Temporary Residence Visas". Department of Home Affairs.
  17. ↑ "Overstay Visa South Africa". Retrieved 7 October 2015.
  18. ↑ "Travelling with children to or from South Africa? Child Visa Checklist app helps". Drive South Africa. Retrieved 2015-10-15.
  19. ↑ "Unabridged Birth Certificates – Travelstart.co.za". www.travelstart.co.za. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  20. ↑ "How to travel with children into and out of SA". www.enca.com. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  21. ↑ "The sorry, messy unabridged birth certificate saga: SA front pages, 2015-05-22". Retrieved 8 March 2018.
  22. ↑ Leadbeater, Chris (4 February 2016). "South Africa's new rules on travelling with children 'may deter families'". Retrieved 8 March 2018 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  23. ↑ "New visa rules: 13 000 denied entry into SA | IOL". Retrieved 2016-11-04.
  24. ↑ https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/272907/more-details-on-south-africas-new-visa-rules-revealed/
  25. ↑ Tourism 2016, pages 35–44
  26. ↑ Africa, Statistics South. "Publication – Statistics South Africa". www.statssa.gov.za. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
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