To compliment the information on immigration to South Africa, here are a few pointers on getting your VISA. Immigration is for those coming to South Africa on a temporary or permanent permit or even going on to citizenship, whereas a VISA is for tourists and holidaymakers coming for a holiday.
South Africa boasts amazing figures in terms of its tourism industry, and in the FIFA World Cup 2010 over a million visitors were recorded.
To apply for a VISA, you'll need to go to your nearest South African consular representative within your own country or area. Your country means the country in which you normally reside and hold a passport in, or have permanent residence in. No VISAs can be applied for when entering South Africa, so if you do require one, make sure you have a VISA beforehand.
The cost currently for VISAs is R425.00, and the Department of Home Affairs quotes a 10-day waiting period.
What does one submit? Well, VISA requirements include the following:
-Your passport must be valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit
-Passports must contain at least one unused page for entry/departure endorsements (sometimes referred to as a visa page). This has been known in the past to be so strongly enforced that you are turned away at the airport!)
-Payment of the prescribed fee, if applicable (see Countries exempt from visa control)
-A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act.
-Statement and/or documentation confirming purpose and duration of visit
-Two identity photographs (see the specifications for these below)
-Proof of financial means in the form of:
obank statements;
osalary advices;
owritten and signed undertaking(s) by the host(s) in the Republic;
obursaries;
omedical cover;
oor cash available, including credit cards or travellers' cheques
oto cover the living expenses during the sojourn in the Republic.
-Applicants traveling by air must be in possession of:
oa return or onward ticket; or
oproof of sufficient funds; or
olodge a cash deposit of equivalent value of your ticket (called a repatriation deposit ' this is used if you are to be deported!)
A good thing is that you don't necessarily have to submit your application for a VISA in person. Your photographs, however, do have to meet these stringent specifications, or your entire application might be unsuccessful.
-Two identical colour photos which are not more than one month old
-Photo dimensions: 35mm in width and 45mm in height
-The photo should depict a close-up of your head and the top of your shoulders, so that your face takes up about 70% ' 80% of the photo
-The photo must be high quality ' no ink marks, creases or damaged
-It must show you looking directly at the camera
-It must show your natural skin colour
-Your eyes must be open and clearly visible ' no hair across your face
-Be on a white background with nothing else in the background
If you are applying for
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