Want
to visit South Africa? Here's information on the
basic requirements for entering South Africa, as
well as comprehensive information on visas. For
information on currency policies, foreign exchange
and more, click here.
Useful
facts for tourists
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What facilities
are open on public holidays?
In the major cities most stores, cinemas and
restaurants are open on most public holidays. The
exceptions are Christmas Day, 25 December and New
Year's Day, 1 January.
The calendar of
holidays for 2009 is:
-
1 January –
New Year’s Day
-
21 March –
Human Rights Day
-
10 April – Good
Friday (the Friday before Easter Sunday)
-
13 April –
Family Day (the Monday after Easter Sunday)
-
27 April –
Freedom Day
-
1 May –
Workers Day
-
16 June –
Youth Day
-
9 August –
Women's Day
-
24 September –
Heritage Day
-
16 December –
Day of Reconciliation
-
25 December –
Christmas Day
-
26 December –
Day of Goodwill
If a public holiday
falls on a Sunday, the Monday following becomes a
public holiday.
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Where can I
smoke?
The law prohibits smoking in most public spaces,
including airports and railway stations. Most
restaurants have designated smoking and non-smoking
areas. It is also best to ask your host at the
various lodges / reserves where you may and may not
smoke as the danger of causing bush fires especially
in the drier seasons of winter is a real
possibility.
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South African
time
South Africa does not change its clocks during the
year (i.e. daylight savings etc), and there are no
regional variations within the country. South
African Standard Time is two hours ahead of
Greenwich Mean (or Universal Standard) Time, one
hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and
seven hours ahead of the USA's Eastern Standard
Winter Time.
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What
documentation will I need to visit South Africa?
Depending on your nationality, and the purpose and
duration of your visit, you may not need a visa to
visit South Africa at all. For information on the
basic requirements for entering South Africa, as
well as comprehensive information on visas – what
they are, who needs them, and when, where and how to
apply for them –
click here
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What can I bring
into South Africa?
South African customs passenger allowances entitle
you to bring new or used goods of up to R3 000 in
value into the country without paying any duty. For
additional goods, new or used, of up to R12 000 in
value, you will be charged a flat rate 20% duty.
Thereafter, normal customs duties apply.
You can also bring
in, duty-free, the following:
-
Wine - up to 2
litres per person.
-
Spirits and
other alcoholic beverages - up to 1 litre in
total per person.
-
Cigarettes -
up to 200 per person.
-
Cigars - up to
20 per person.
-
Cigarette or
pipe tobacco - up to 250g per person.
-
Perfume - up
to 50ml per person.
-
Eau
de toilette (scented
liquid lighter than cologne) - up to 250ml per
person.
The alcohol and
tobacco allowances only apply to people over 18.
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What about
medication and inoculations?
Visit our health tips page for more information on
medication, health care and inoculations.
Health Tips
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VISAS
Please take note: This information is
meant to serve as a guide only. Requirements for
entry into South Africa differ from country to
country, are subject to change, and each application
is treated as an individual case. Always make
inquiries before travelling to South Africa.
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What's a visa?
South Africa has the right to decide who may and who
may not enter its territory. A visa ensures that you
are properly screened before entering the country,
and gives immigration officials the information they
need to ensure you are admitted to South Africa for
the correct purpose and length of time. A visa
doesn't guarantee you entry to the country, it only
allows you to proceed to a South African port of
entry, where an immigration officer will check that
you satisfy the basic requirements for entry into
the country.
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Where can I make inquiries about
visas?
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Do I need a visa to visit South
Africa?
Depending on your nationality, and the purpose and
duration of your visit, you may not need a visa to
visit South Africa at all.
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What are requirements for
entering South Africa?
-
A valid acceptable passport or travel
document good for a sufficient period to cover
the intended stay.
-
A valid visa, if required.
-
Sufficient funds.
-
A return or onward ticket.
-
Yellow fever certificates are required if
the journey starts or entails passing through
the yellow fever belt of Africa or South
America.
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How do I go about getting a
visa?
The Department of Home Affairs' website will give
you the lowdown on visa costs, processing time,
where to apply, visa requirements (what to submit),
requirements for people in transit, duration and
purpose of stay, medical visas and photographs.
Visit the following links for applicable
information.
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What's the
difference between a visa and a temporary residence
permit?
A visa allows you to proceed to a South African port
of entry. A temporary residence permit will be
issued to you at the port of entry. It replaces your
visa, and regulates the duration and purpose of your
stay in South Africa.
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What if I want to stay in
South Africa for longer?
It is best to request the full duration of your
intended visit when you first arrive, as extensions
are subject to additional fees. If you wish to
extend your stay further, you must keep your
temporary residence permit valid by applying for an
extension at your nearest
Department of Home Affairs office in SA. You
should do this well BEFORE your permit expires.
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Get your visa before
leaving for South Africa
If you are subject to visa requirements, you should
apply for your visa at least four weeks BEFORE your
departure for South Africa, and await the outcome of
your application before departing. Visas are NOT
issued at South African ports of entry, and airline
officials are obliged to insist on visas before
allowing passengers to board. If you arrive without
a visa, immigration officials are obliged by law to
refuse you entry to South Africa and to place you on
a return flight to your country.
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If all else fails …
South African Representation in South Africa
South African Representation outside South
Africa
Click on the letter with which your country
begins to find a South African mission / embassy in
your country. This will open in a new window with
information supplied by the
South African
department of Home Affairs.
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Source:
South
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