Destination Guides
South Africa

 
assport/Visa
 
Passport/Visa

Yes No Yes
Yes No Yes
Yes No Yes
Yes No Yes
Yes 1 Yes

 
Passport Note

Passport must have at least one blank page for entry stamp. This cannot include the ’endorsement’ page at the back. Passengers who also require a visa must have a passport with two blank facing pages, one for the visa and one for their entry stamp. Anyone attempting to enter South Africa without the required pages will be returned to their country of origin.

 
Passports

Passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.

 
Visas

Not required by nationals of countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days for business and tourist purposes, except the following :
(a) 1. nationals of Cyprus, Hungary, Poland and Slovak Republic who may stay for up to 30 days, and nationals of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia who do require a visa, unless transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport (advance notice of overnight stay is required).

 
Visa Note

(a) Proof of financial means may be required. (b) Unaccompanied children under the age of 18 years must hold written consent from their parents when travelling alone. (c) Nationals of countries not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

 
Types of Visa and Cost

Visitors, Transit: £35. Study Permits: £35 (depending on level of education). Business Permit: £125. UK nationals are exempt from visa fees.

 
Validity

Dependent on length of stay requested. Permits may be extended if done so 30 days prior to expiry of original permit.

 
Applications to:

Consulate (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. Applicants in countries where South Africa is not represented may send their applications to the embassy in the nearest country.

 
Working Days Required

10 calendar days.

 
 
 
ontact Addresses
 
South African Tourism Board (SATOUR) in the UK

Street address: 6 Alt Grove, Wimbledon, London SW19 4DZ, UK
Postal address: PO Box 49110, Wimbledon, London SW19 4XZ, UK
Tel: (020) 8971 9350 or 0870 155 0044 (tourism enquiry line and brochure request).
Website: www.southafrica.net

 
South African High Commission in the UK

South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP, UK
Tel: (020) 7451 7299.
Website: www.southafricahouse.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1700.

 
South African Consulate in the UK

15 Whitehall, London SW1A 2DD, UK
Tel: (020) 7925 8900/01/10 or 16 (for appointment booking line).
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0845-1245 (appointments only), 1500-1600 (collections).
Website: www.southafricahouse.com/Consulate.htm

 
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in the USA

3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 4400 .
Website: www.saembassy.org

 
South African Consulate in the USA

Street address: 4301 Connecticut Ave, NW, Van Ness Building, Suite 220, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Postal Address: 3051 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 274 7991.

 
South African Tourism Board (SATOUR) in the USA

500 Fifth Avenue, 20th Floor, Suite 2040, New York, NY 10110, USA
Tel: (212) 730 2929.
Website: www.southafrica.net

 
 
 
ealth
 
Health

Yes
Yes
Sometimes
Sometimes
Yes
Sometimes
No*

 
Health Care

Medical facilities are good in urban areas but limited elsewhere. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. A leaflet on health precautions is available from the South African High Commission (see Contact Addresses).

 
Note

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.

 
 
 
ublic Holidays
 

Below are listed the Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.
 
2007
1 Jan
New Year’s Day.
21 Mar Human Rights Day.
6 Apr Good Friday. 
9 Apr Family Day.
27 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Workers Day.
16 Jun Youth Day.
9 Aug National Women’s Day.
24 Sep Heritage Day.
16 Dec Day of Reconciliation.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Day of Goodwill.

2008
1 Jan
New Year’s Day.
21 Mar Human Rights Day. 
21 Mar Good Friday. 
24 Mar Family Day.
27 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Workers Day.
16 Jun Youth Day.
9 Aug National Women’s Day.
24 Sep Heritage Day.
16 Dec Day of Reconciliation.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec Day of Goodwill.

 
Note

Holidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.