The articles below provide important information about travel to South Africa.
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The following are important information with regards to changes in South African immigration policies. The South African Immigration Act, 2010, has been approved and the date for commencement was communicated as of May 26, 2014.
The following regulations must be adhered to effective immediately:
· Passengers travelling to South Africa must be in possession of a passport with two unused pages required for endorsements. The two unused pages when presented for purposes of endorsing a port of entry visa, visa, permanent residence permit or entry of departure stamp.
· The passport must be machine readable however, the foreigner may be admitted into or depart from South Africa with a non-machine readable passport provided that:
(a) He or she is from a foreign country that is issuing machine readable passports and has not completely phased out the non-machine readable passports; and
(b) His or her passport was issued after 24 November 2005 and its date of expiry is before 24 November 2015.
· Any child who is in alternative care as defined in the Children’s Act, shall, before departing from the Republic of South Africa, produce a certified copy of an authorisation letter from the Provincial Head of the Department where the child resides as contemplated in section 169 of the Children’s Act.
· Where parents are travelling with a child, such parents must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child.
· In the case of one parent travelling with a child, he or she must produce an unabridged birth certificate and:
(a) Consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate of the child authorizing him or her to enter into or depart from the Republic of South Africa with the child he or she is travelling with;
(b) A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or
(c) Where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate,
· Provided that the Director-General may, where the parents of the child are both deceased and the child is travelling with a relative or another person related to him or her his or her parents, approve such a person to enter or depart the Republic with such a child.
· Where a person is travelling with a child who is not his or her biological child, he or she must produce:
(a) A copy of the unabridged birth certificate of the child;
(b) An affidavit from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he or she has permission to travel with the child;
(c) Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child; and
(d) The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child,
· Provided that the Director-General may, where the parents of the child are both deceased and the child is travelling with a relative or another person related to him or her his or her parents, approve such a person to enter or depart the Republic with such a child.
· Any unaccompanied minor shall produce to the immigration officer:
(a) Proof of consent from one or both his or her parents or legal guardian, as the case may be, in the form of a letter or affidavit for the child to travel into or depart from the Republic: Provided that in the case where one parent provides proof of consent, that parent must also provide a copy of a court order issued to him or her in terms of which he or she has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child;
(b) A letter from the person which is to receive the child in the Republic, containing his or her residential address and contact details where the child will be residing;
(c) A copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in the Republic; and
(d) The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: We recommend the passports of all travelers to South Africa contain at least two completely blank (unstamped) visa pages each time entry is sought. These pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages (as many as four) at the back of the passport. While South African statutes require one, completely blank visa page, this rule has been applied inconsistently by South African immigration officials. In addition, any trip to a neighboring country would necessitate another blank page upon return. Travelers lacking adequate blank pages in the passport may be refused entry into South Africa, fined, and returned to their point of origin at the traveler's expense. South African authorities have denied the diplomatic missions access to assist in these cases. As a general precaution, all travelers are advised to carry a photocopy of the photo/bio information page of their passport and keep it in a location separate from the passport.
Visitors to South Africa for tourism, short business meetings, or those in transit do not require visas for stays of up to 90 days. In the event that a traveler overstays that period without a permit issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs, they may be subject to a fine of up to 3,000 rand (approximately 415 US dollars). All others, including academics, students on educational trips, and volunteers, may need visas. Americans who intend to work in South Africa must apply for work permits before arrival; otherwise they risk being refused admission and returned to their point of origin. It is strongly suggested that all travelers check the latest requirements with the nearest South African Embassy or Consulate before traveling.
Travelers entering South Africa from countries where yellow fever is endemic are often required to present their yellow World Health Organization (WHO) vaccination record or other proof of inoculation. If they are unable to do so, they must be inoculated at the airport in order to be permitted entry.
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: South Africa is in many respects a developed country, but much of its population lives in poverty. All major urban areas have modern, world-class hotels and tourist facilities. Game parks and areas most often visited by tourists have a wide range of facilities. Food and water are generally safe, and a wide variety of consumer goods and pharmaceuticals are readily available. The capital is Pretoria, while the seat of parliament is located in Cape Town. Johannesburg is the financial capital and largest city in South Africa. Durban is home to Africa's busiest port and is the number one tourist destination for South Africans.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in South Africa are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within South Africa. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located at 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia in Pretoria, telephone (27-12) 431-4000 (from South Africa 012-431-4000), fax (27-12) 431-5504 (from South Africa 012-431-5504). The U.S. Embassy web site is http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/
The U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg provides consular services for Americans in the Pretoria area. The Consulate General in Johannesburg is located at No. 1 River Street (corner of River and Riviera Road), Killarney, Johannesburg telephone (27-11) 644-8000 (from South Africa 011-644-8000), fax (27-11) 646-6916 (from South Africa (011-646-6916). Its consular jurisdiction includes Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces. The Consulate General in Cape Town is located at 2 Reddam Avenue, West Lake 7945, telephone (27-21) 702-7300 (from South Africa 021-702-7300), fax (27-21) 702-7493 (from South Africa 021-702-7493). Its consular jurisdiction includes Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces.
The Consulate General in Durban is located at the Old Mutual Building, 31st floor, 303 West Street, telephone (27-31) 305-7600 (from South Africa 031-305-7600), fax (27-31) 305-7691 (from South Africa 031-305-7691). Its consular jurisdiction is KwaZulu-Natal Province.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: The passports of all travelers to South Africa must contain at least two blank (unstamped) visa pages each time entry is sought; these pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport. Otherwise, the traveler, even when in possession of a valid South African visa, may be refused entry into South Africa, fined, and returned to their point of origin at the traveler's expense. As a general precaution, all travelers are advised to carry a photocopy of the photo/bio information page of their passport and keep it in a location separate from the passport.
This Travel Alert advises American citizens of an increase in violent attacks on foreigners, particularly refugees or immigrants from other African nations. American citizens in South Africa are urged to monitor media reports and to avoid areas where attacks may be likely to occur. This Travel Alert expires on July 1, 2008.
In recent weeks, South Africa has seen an increase in the frequency, size, and duration of "xenophobic" attacks directed at foreigners – particularly refugees or immigrants from other African nations. The most recent attacks started in the Johannesburg township of Alexandra but spread to other low income neighborhoods and informal settlements. Several recent incidents of mob violence have taken place in other areas of Johannesburg including the Central Business District (CBD), Hillbrow, and Soweto. An undetermined number of persons have been killed in these incidents and many more, including both targeted victims and bystanders, have been injured. So far, most violent incidents have taken place at night.
While there have been no reports of Americans or other non-African visitors being targeted, these incidents of mob violence have developed quickly and proven difficult for local authorities to control. American residents and visitors are advised to listen to local media for reports of such incidents and to avoid areas (including but not limited to townships) where they may be likely to occur. American citizens are reminded that while the most recent outbreak has been concentrated in the Johannesburg area, there have been attacks on foreigners in other areas and the potential exists for them to spread to other regions with little or no warning.
All Americans in South Africa are urged to register either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov or by phone or in person directly with the U.S. Embassy in Pretoria or the Consulates General in Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban. Registering gives U.S. citizens access to updated information on travel and security within South Africa and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy is located at 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia in Pretoria, telephone (27-12) 431-4000 (from South Africa 012-431-4000), fax (27-12) 431-5504 (from South Africa 012-431-5504). The U.S. Embassy web site is http://southafrica.usembassy.gov
The U.S. Consulates General are at the following locations:
The Consulate General in Johannesburg, which provides consular services for Americans in both Johannesburg and Pretoria, is located at No. 1 River Street (corner of River and Riviera Roads), Killarney, Johannesburg telephone (27-11) 644-8000 (from South Africa 011-644-8000), fax (27-11)646-6916 (from South Africa (011-646-6916). Its consular jurisdiction includes Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces.
The Consulate General in Cape Town is located at 2 Reddam Avenue, Westlake, Cape Town, telephone (27-21) 702-7300 (from South Africa 021-702-7300), fax (27-21) 702-7493 (from South Africa 021-702-7493). Its consular jurisdiction includes Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces.
The Consulate General in Durban is located at the Old Mutual Building, 31st floor, 303 West Street, telephone (27-31) 305-7600 (from South Africa 031-305-7600), fax (27- 31) 305-7691 (from South Africa 031-305-7691). Its consular jurisdiction is the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its consular information program documents, available on the Internet at http://travel.state.gov. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.
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