• From blank passport pages to missing birth certificates, small paperwork errors still stop South Africans from travelling.
• Many countries won’t let you in — or even on the plane — without a few months’ passport validity and enough blank pages.
• And South Africa still requires unabridged birth certificates and consent letters for those travelling with children.
Travel abroad is layered with so many tasks and so much admin that we often forget the most important paperwork until it's too late.
Ask anyone who's pulled an expired passport out of a drawer less than a week before a trip, and they’ll tell you how quickly the blood drained from their faces — and the logistical nightmare that ensued.
Even seasoned travellers are turned away at check-in desks and border posts — often for simple documentation errors. And if there's one person you can't charm, distract or negotiate with, it's a border official.
From expired passports to missing child travel documents, avoidable admin mistakes still trip up many South Africans before they even reach the airport — below are some of the most common errors and how to avoid them.
Passport validity and blank pages
Most travellers assume that a passport is valid as long as it's not expired. In reality, many countries require six months validity from your return date — and at least two blank pages for visas and entry stamps.
"One of the most common mistakes we see is travellers assuming their passport expiration date doesn’t matter as long as it’s still valid for the duration of their trip," says Lynette Machiri, Customer Experience Leader at Flight Centre South Africa. "Unfortunately, many countries turn travellers away if they have less than six months remaining on their passport – and some airlines won’t even let you board."
It's advisable to renew your passport at least seven months before it expires — and immediately on return from a trip when you have fewer than five blank pages. If you’re in doubt, check the destination country’s official websites for more information on validity and blank page requirements.
Dual citizenship complexities
Many South Africans carry passports for two countries and travel with both for ease of getting around while outside the country.
But if you hold dual citizenship, you must also use your South African passport when leaving and returning to South Africa, even if you plan to use another passport while away.
Travelling with minors
If you're travelling with a child under 18, you’ll need to present an unabridged birth certificate at any South African port of entry — regardless of whether both parents are present.
"A frequent mistake we see is parents assuming that Unabridged Birth Certificates are no longer needed. That’s incorrect," says Machiri.
"And if one parent is travelling alone with their child, extra documentation is required – like consent letters and copies of the absent parent’s ID. Immigration officials do not make exceptions, and airlines will deny boarding if documents aren’t in order."
Here’s what you need depending on who the child is travelling with:
- Both parents: Passport and unabridged birth certificate.
- One parent: Passport, unabridged birth certificate, parental consent letter, copy of the absent parent's ID, and their contact details.
- Legal guardian or non-parent: Passport, Unabridged Birth Certificate, consent letters and IDs from both parents.
- Unaccompanied minor: Passport, Unabridged Birth Certificate, parental consent letters, letter from the recipient including residential address and ID copies.
How to apply for or renew your passport
With the Department of Home Affairs’ Branch Appointment Booking System (BABS), you can now start your application online and book a biometrics appointment at either a Home Affairs office or a participating bank.
Bank branches generally offer faster processing, but appointments fill up quickly, so plan ahead.
To apply, you'll need:
• A completed DHA-73 form
• Your green ID book or smart ID (or a birth certificate if under 16)
• Two passport photos (unless using a smartcard office)
• Parental consent if under 18
• Proof of travel (for emergency certificates)
• The applicable fee: R600 for a standard passport or R1 200 for a 48-page maxi passport
If your previous passport was lost or stolen, you’ll also need to submit a DHA-335 loss report and police confirmation.
Passports usually take 7 to 21 working days to process, but this can stretch significantly over school holidays or the festive season.
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And if that passport you pull out of the draw has expired or is no longer there, you’ll need to act fast.
"We get monthly requests from stressed-out travellers looking for a "rush" passport. Here’s the truth: there’s no such thing! Aim to apply at least six months before your passport expires due to limited appointment availability," Machiri says.
Valid visas
Visas cover an entirely different aspect of the travel process, and waiting times and delays can also interfere with trips.
Although many embassies or visa processing agencies may promise a specific turnaround time, these are not guaranteed — and it’s advisable to apply for your visa as far in advance as possible. It’s also worth remembering that you will need to hand in your passport for processing, so unless you have a special concession, you won’t be able to travel abroad during this time.
You must also check your paperwork for any countries you may be transiting through. Although you may not even be leaving the airport, some destinations require travellers from South Africa to apply for a visa, even if you’re immediately connecting to another destination.
The ultimate paperwork checklist
Before you head to the airport, make sure you’ve covered the basics:
• Is your passport valid for at least six months after your return date?
• Do you have at least two blank pages in your passport?
• Have you checked visa requirements for your destination?
• Are all child travel documents in order—including unabridged birth certificates and consent letters?
• Have you scanned and backed up all important documents?
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