| Visa
Information
Every country has the sovereign right to decide
who may or may not enter its territory. Possession of a visa does not guarantee
automatic admission to the Republic. It only authorizes the holder to proceed
to the Republic to report to an immigration officer at a port of entry for the
purpose of being examined as to his/her ability or otherwise, to comply with the
(entry) requirements of the Act.
The purpose of a visa on the one hand
is to ensure proper screening of applicants so that undesirable persons are not
admitted to the Republic and on the other hand to facilitate the entry of approved
applicants at South African ports of entry. Visas provide immigration officers
with the necessary information to ensure that applicants are admitted for the
correct purpose and period into the RSA. Please note that nationals who are exempt
from the South African visa requirement are only exempt for the purposes of holiday,
business and transit and still require visas for other purposes, e g for medical
purposes.
Visas are considered by the South
African missions abroad and must be affixed in the applicants' passports before
departing to the RSA. Visas are not issued on arrival at South African
ports of entry. Applicants arriving without visas will be refused entry
into the RSA and placed on return flights in terms of legislation. Click
here for more information and conditions on: Entry requirements - A
valid acceptable passport / travel document good for a sufficient period to cover
the intended stay.
- A valid visa, if required.
- Sufficient
funds.
- A return / onward ticket.
- Yellow fever
certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the
yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
Where
to apply for a visa What to submit - Passports
must accompany the applications when submitted at a South African diplomatic or
consular representative.
- If a business visa is applied for, a
letter of invitation from the South African company to be visited must accompany
the application, as well as a letter from the company which the applicant represents.
Persons in transit Persons applying
for transit visas must submit proof that they will be admitted to their destinations
and they must be in possession of onward / return tickets. Duration
and purpose of stay The period of residence in South Africa
is not determined by the visa but by the temporary residence permit which is issued
on arrival at the port of entry. Applicants must ensure that they request the
full duration of their intended visit as extensions are subject to additional
fees. Applicants must ensure that they apply for the correct visa / permit as
the purpose of stay may not be changed once in the RSA. Medical
Visas A person wishing to receive medical treatment in the
RSA must first apply for a medical visa at the nearest South African Mission.
All applications for visits for medical purposes must be supported by a letter
from the applicant's medical practitioner or medical institution, indicating the
nature of the ailment, the reason/necessity for treatment, the period of treatment
and particulars of the appointment/s made in South Africa. Full details of the
person or institution responsible for the medical expenses and hospital fees must
be furnished. Should the individual's medical scheme or employer not be liable
for the expenses incurred, proof of medical cover must be submitted.
Emergency
patients transported by emergency flights or vehicles will be allowed entry, if
not in possession of visas. Immigration officers will facilitate their entry by
not applying the clearance procedures. However, it is the duty of the person in
charge of the emergency flight or the pilot or owner of the aircraft or the owner
or driver of the emergency vehicle, to report the entry and presence of the patient
as soon as possible at an office of the Department of Home Affairs. An immigration
officer must then visit the patient and if such patient is found to be an alien
in possession of a valid passport, s/he will be issued with the necessary medical
permit. If the patient is not in possession of a valid passport, s/he will
be issued with a permit in terms of section 41 of the Aliens Control Act, 1996,
to legalise his/her stay for the duration of his/her hospitalisation.
Source: Department
of Home Affairs, South Africa
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