| Frequently Asked Questions |
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| 1. What documentation must I hand in at the South African mission if I want to apply for a visa? |
| Refer to South African visa page for details on procedures and requirements. |
| 2. How long does it take to process a visa application? |
| The normal processing period is 10 days. |
| 3. Why can visas not be issued at the airport? |
| In terms of current legislation a person must already be in possession of a visa before he/she arrives at the South African port of entry. A visa informs the immigration officer that the bona fides of the foreigner has already been determined in the pre-screening process. |
| 5. What is the purpose of the expiry date on the visa and how must the period of validity of the visitor's permit be calculated? |
| The expiry date on the visa states within which period the foreigner must enter the Republic. Upon admission the visa is deemed to be a visitor's permit. The endorsement on the visa determines for which period the visitor's permit will be valid, e.g. "To be admitted for a period of 30 days". The calculation for the expiry date of the permit is made from the date of entry. The actual expiry date is not endorsed on the permit. |
| 6. How do I extend my visa/Permit? |
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Once a person gets to the South African port of entry, e.g. Johannesburg International Airport, the visa is regarded as a visitor's permit. A foreigner should contact any regional or district office of the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the extension of the visitor's permit on the prescribed form (BI-1738).
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| 7. May I apply on behalf of , e.g. my mother? She is old and from a country where South Africa does not have a mission. |
The application must be submitted at the nearest South African embassy or mission. The applicant does not need to go to the mission in person but may make use of courier services or travel agents to submit the application. The mission needs the physical passport to endorse the visa in the passport.
Refer to South African visa page for details, application form, etc.
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| 8. I want to get married to my fiancé, e.g. a Russian lady. What documents must be submitted to get a visa? |
| Refer to South African visa page for details on procedures and requirements. |
| 9. I am a South African and married to, e.g. a Bulgarian, and want to bring my wife / husband to the RSA. What type of permit must I apply for? |
| A relative's permit. |
| 10. I am working in the entertainment industry, e.g. film producer, model, photographer and involved in the shooting of a film in the RSA. Do I need a visa? |
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Any person who intends to practice his / her profession in the RSA for a period not exceeding six months require authorization in terms of section 11(2) of the Act to do so on his / her visitor's permit Should he / she be exempt from visa control he / she may proceed to the port of entry with letters from the agency / company locally / abroad confirming the foreigners' full particulars, purpose & period of visit and designation. The Immigration Officer will then issue the visitor's permit with the authorization at the port of entry. The permit will be valid for the period of the exemption (30 /90 days) and may be extended once for another 90 days. Should the foreigner be subject to visa control he / she must apply for a visa and the authorization to work on the visitor's permit at a South African Representative abroad. Should it be approved the foreigner will be issued with a visa with the authorization to work endorsed on it and will be allowed to stay for a maximum period of 90 days and may apply once for an extension of 90 days. For a visit that will exceed six months the foreigner must apply for a work permit.
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| 11. I am arranging an international conference, what are the visa requirements and may I apply on behalf of applicants at your office in the RSA? |
The following documents will be required when applying for visas to attend conferences:
- Refer to South African visa page for details on procedures and requirements, application form, etc.
- The application must be supported by an invitation letter to the conference.
Once the Department has been informed of the conference taking place, a blanket approval will be sent to all South African representatives abroad authorizing them to issue visas to delegates, provided nothing detrimental is known and all the visa requirements are met. This procedure will facilitate the delegates when applying for their visas.
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