Don’t Be Declared
“Undesirable”
SA Visa -30-05-2022
Many tourists have
been thrown into the deep end as Home Affairs implement South African visa
changes overnight.
I’m sure by now
many of you have read or heard about the recent rules that have come into
effect for the SA Visa. After doing some research I decided to gather some
information together to try and put your minds at ease and make sure you are
aware of how to avoid being declared an “undesirable” person.
First… The changes.
90 Day Tourist Visa
& Extensions
As before, upon
arrival into South Africa you will receive a 90 day Tourist Visa (exemptions
apply, please check the DHA website) or if you are from a visa requiring
country sometimes only 15 day visa . This Visa has the option of a further 90
day extension (total 180 days), however at present these are not guaranteed and
are quite difficult to get approved in time.
Extensions can be
done via VFS Global, a visa facilitation company. Applications must be done
online through the VFS website, by filling in an application form, scheduling
an appointment and paying the relevant fee via EFT.
On the day of your
appointment at VFS you will need to submit all documentation and have your
biometric data recorded. You will be given a receipt that must be kept to
collect your passport and documents IF your extension is granted.
Travelling With
Children
Parents travelling
with children under the age of 18 MUST carry an Unabridged Birth Certificate in
addition to the child’s passport.
This applies to ALL
travel… Inbound, Outbound and In Transit.
When a child is
travelling with one parent, that parent in addition to the above must also have
consent from the other parent in the form of an Affidavit or Court Order or in
the case of the other parent being deceased, a Death Certificate.
If the child is
travelling unaccompanied, proof of consent from both parents or if one parent,
an Affidavit/Court Order/Death Certificate as stated above.
A letter from the
person who will be receiving the child containing the residential address and
contact details where the child will be residing, a copy of the
Passport/Identity Document for the receiving person and lastly the contact
details of the parents.
Second… The
Problems
90 Day Tourist Visa
& Extensions
Clients who wish to
apply for the extension of a further 90 days must make application as soon as
possible once arriving in South Africa. Processing time is currently taking
approximately 60 days and longer.
If your application
is not granted before your 90 days is up, you MUST leave South Africa within
those 90 days or consult an immigration practitioner about other options . Persons
who stay beyond that period will be declared “undesirable” and prohibited from
re-entry into South Africa for:
• 1 year, if you
overstay 30 days or less;
• 2 years, if you
overstay for a second time within 24 months;
• 5 years, if you
overstay more than 30 days.
Persons will also
be banned at the airport on departure.
These bans can be
appealed but can take months, be expensive and have no guarantee of a positive
outcome.
“Border Hopping” (travelling
into neighbouring countries for short periods and re-entering South Africa) is
no longer allowed.
Persons who come in
for 6 months every year, “Swallows” are advised to apply for the 4 Year Tourist
Visa
Please note: There
is NO GUARANTEE that your application for a Visa Extension will be granted and
no refund is applicable if the application is denied. So use an immigration
practitioner
Travelling With
Children
Travel will not be
permitted at all if the documentation needed is not provided. This stands when
leaving your home country or South Africa when travelling with children under
the age of 18.
How can we help you
, please email us to info@samigration.com
whatsapp me on: +27 82 373 8415, where are you now? check our
website : www.samigration.com
Please rate us by
clinking on this links :
Sa Migration Visas
https://g.page/r/CdZJnrStK3WVEBM/review
Alternatively ,
please contact us on :
Whatsapp Tel No :
+27 (0) 82 373 8415
Tel No office : +27
(0) 82 373 8415 ( Whatsapp )
Tel No admin : +27
(0) 64 126 3073
Tel No sales : +27
(0) 74 0366127
Fax No : 086 579
0155
www.samigration.com
