An update on SA immigration and travel rules

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There have been many developments over the current weeks relating to immigration and journey guidelines. With the transfer to stage 1, there was a welcomed easing of restrictions. The goal was to open up the tourism trade and to advertise commerce as a way to stimulate South Africa’s economic system.

With the above in thoughts, we’ve been flooded with a number of bulletins from the Division of Residence Affairs (DHA), in addition to the Division of Worldwide Relations & Cooperation (DIRCO). This, along with all of the articles within the information, has left many confused as to what one can and can’t do.

Beneath, we hope to offer some type of readability.

VFS World has opened for submissions

As of twenty-two September 2020, VFS has opened for submissions in South Africa. Not all visa providers have resumed. For now, VFS solely accepts short-term residency and waiver purposes.

You’re additionally capable of accumulate the end result of your utility, nevertheless, it’s essential to e-book an appointment to take action on the related VFS utility centre.

Sadly, VFS just isn’t accepting everlasting residency purposes but however these and different visa providers will resume over time.

Visas have been prolonged till 31 January 2021

VFS World is not accepting customer visa extensions in the meanwhile. As a substitute, the South African authorities has catered for all those that have expired throughout lockdown. All legally issued visas have been granted an extension till 31 January 2021.

Holders of those visas can keep in South Africa below the present circumstances of their visa till 31 January 2021. Those that depart previous to this date can achieve this with out being declared an undesirable individual.

The borders have opened

As of 1 October 2020, the borders have opened for worldwide journey.

With that being mentioned, the South African authorities has labeled nations as excessive, medium and low danger. That is one thing that many different nations all over the world has already put in place.

Excessive-risk nations should not capable of journey to South Africa in the meanwhile. A few of these embrace the USA, UK, France and the Netherlands to call a number of. Please be aware that the checklist will likely be up to date each two weeks and may be considered in full right here.

These nations which might be within the medium or low danger group are capable of journey to South Africa. Nevertheless, travellers must adhere to the related security protocols. This would come with a unfavorable COVID-19 take a look at not older than 72 hours on the time of departure for South Africa.

Exceptions for these from excessive danger nations

People who must journey to South Africa for enterprise functions might request permission to enter South Africa. This consists of businessmen, traders, people with vital expertise, diplomats in addition to folks collaborating in skilled sporting occasions.

You possibly can request permission by sending an e-mail to this tackle: Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za. Please be aware that it’s essential to additionally embrace this documentation to assist your request:

A replica of the passport
A replica of the short-term residency visa (if relevant)
Proof of the enterprise actions you’re enterprise in South Africa
Proof of lodging in South Africa
The journey itinerary

Solely as soon as approval has been granted from Covid19BusinessTravel@dha.gov.za, can one proceed to make the required preparations with the SA mission to submit an utility.

Can a traveller from a excessive danger nation enter South Africa in the event that they’ve hung out in a low danger nation?

Though it has not been formally gazetted by Residence Affairs, the next assertion from DIRCO signifies the next:

If the passport of the traveller from a excessive danger nation signifies that he/she has spent 10 days or extra in a low danger nation earlier than departure, he/she will likely be thought of to be arriving from a low danger nation.

Intergate is cautious about confirming this as historical past has proven us that implementation of immigration modifications on the bottom are liable to being inconsistent. Moreover, there aren’t any reported circumstances to our information the place this has been profitable, so please do proceed with warning.