A south african passport is not like a british, us or many european passports, which allow easy and, often, visa free travel in many countries of the world. Both are identity documents that serve as proof of a persons identity. The home of vfs global, partnering the south african government to provide visa and. Seafarers travelling under contract to join a ship in the uk need entry clearance if they are visa nationals, unless they hold a document issued by a country which has ratified the 1958. We wish to make it clear that the green barcoded id book remains a legal form of identification and will continue to be until such time that the live capture system is rolled out to all home affairs offices to enable south africans to apply for smart id cards at their nearest offices. Contact move up to assess which uk visa best suits your intent.
The price for a visa varries based on the length of your stay, the costs of doing your uk visa with us, are currently. The visitor visa does not permit a change of visa status while in the uk. Birth certificate, proof of address and in case of minors, must be accompanied by the parents. An identity document id enables south african citizens and permanent residents to identify themselves for general purposes and daytoday. Can i enter south africa with the foreign passport. Dublin, the capital of ireland, is the largest economical centre in the country. The home of vfs global, partnering the south african government to provide visa and immigration services. If youre a spouse or life partner of a south african citizen or permanent resident, but you dont qualify for study, work or business visas you can obtain the spousal or.
Passport collection procedure after having tracked online whether your passport is ready for collection, you can collect your passport in person at the end of the visa application process. Born in south africa after 31 may 1962 but before 1983. Uk launches new online visa application for south africans. I am a south african citizen and do not have a valid sa passport.
Learn about south african travel requirements for british nationals and if you can apply for a visa online. Since 01 august 2014, holders of south african diplomatic and official passport do not need a visa to travel to benelux countries belgium, the netherlands and luxemburg anymore. South african high commission south africa house trafalgar square london, wc2n 5dp. Book an online appointment at the visa application centre.
Visa requirements for south african citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of south africa. You will also need an identity book to apply for a passport, and visas to work. You can also find useful tips from fellow travellers. Most foreigners planning to live in south africa will require a south african visa or permit to legally live, work or study in south africa. Heres a guide guide on what itll cost you and how the process works. If place other than mumbai, an additional courier fee of rs 700 will be applicable on south africa tourist visa fees. You are advised to contact your local official missionconsulateembassy and ensure you have the latest information. The south african government has indicated that if youre in south africa on a work, study, or other longterm visa, currently you can remain, under the terms of that visa.
Yes, bi9 is not an application for an id book or id card. South african citizens id book south african high commission. Renewal of south african passport in uk post by cr001. As of 1 oct 2019, south african citizens had visa free or visa on arrival access to 100 countries and territories, ranking the south african passport 53rd in terms of travel freedom according to the henley passport index. Decoding your south african id number western cape government. If you have a visitor visa you cannot take a job in the uk.
If you are working for the south african government or one of its statutory bodies outside the republic of south africa, you are also eligible to receive a. There are over 30 unique types of uk visas which south africans can apply for. So im a usa citizen by birth but im also south african since my mother is south african. The south african smart identity card known as a smart id card replaces the old green barcoded identity book. Firstly if you have just received your permanent residency for south africa, let us congratulate you and welcome you to this. Visas will in future be called port of entry visas and transit visas. The office dealing with south african passport holders will be opened from 08h45 to 12h45 monday to friday except on public holidays. Known as the \rainbow nation\ for its multiethnic society and multicultural diversity, south africa is the second richest country in the continent of africa. Offers south african passport holders throughout the country and around the world free uk visa assessments over email or phone. The british government have also made birth rights and marriage rights available to south africans they grant uk working rights we have put together content to help those looking to get a uk job offer and content to help those who have received a uk job offer both sets of content work to help clarify how the. Permanent residence certificate and proof of address. Fortunately, the entire uk visa application process is explained in this detailed guide. Obtaining an south african id book immigration south africa. Applicants who will be applying in person at the high commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.
Passports require 2 valid blank pages when you leave or return to south africa. Renewal of south african passport in uk post by cr001 fri oct 04, 2019 7. Therefore south africans are expected to fly back to sa to change their uk visitor visa to tier 2 visa. The citizens of south africa can visit 64 countries without a visa. South african embassy in dublin, ireland, alexandra house, 2nd floor, earlsfort centre, earlsfort terrace, dublin 2, ireland. If the applicants place of collection of documents is in mumbai, an additional courier fee of rs 300 will be applicable. Please note that in order to collect your passport in person you need to bring a copy of your id and the payment receipt given to you during the submission. South african applies for a visitor visa, flies over and attends a job interview. An identity document id book is important to get as soon as you are eligible as it is a form of identification when dealing with public and private institutions. We are the official partner of the south african consulate general in uae. However visa applicants should bear in mind that each application is subject to an individual assessment and processing time may vary. The most popular uk visa and how to get it as a south.
So im in this dilemma now where i carry 2 passports. The citizen who is a holder of a national passport diplomatic, official and ordinary of the foreign countries territories international organisations listed below are not required to hold a visa when reporting to an immigration officer for an examination at a south. This proof includes a persons photograph, their full name, their date of birth, their place of birth, and their unique identity number. How can my foreign partner get south african residency. South african passport grants visafree entry to almost 90 countries global immigration rules cause a lot of paperwork to south african passport holders applying for a short or long term visa. Apr 26, 2020 south africa citizens dont need visa for travelling to ireland as tourist.
Representative must provide an original photo id, a power of attorney letter as well as the applicants original passport if collecting the decision on behalf of the applicants. All south africa citizens aged 16 and older and in possession of an official south african identity document either a blue barcoded id book, a smartcard id or a temporary id certificate are eligible to register as voters. Dunn notes that despite a number of new visas being introduced over the last few years, the uk ancestry visa is often thought to be the best visa for people looking to live and work in the uk. The power of attorney should clearly state the following. What you need to know about smart card id applications 08. Visa applications for diplomats and official passport holders. British travellers wishing to transit south african international airports en route back to the uk may do so without a visa, as long as you stay airside and have not been in the uk or another. Students the 12 uk visa steps uk visas for south africans. Unless you are born in south africa or have south african parents, you can apply for south african citizenship after holding a permanent residence permit for five years, by marrying a south african citizen or by being a minor with a permanent residence visa. South africa offers a full set of visas and immigration permits, and choosing the correct one is essential and depends on what you plan to do in the country. Entering south africa on a foreign passport south africa forum. South african id books are issued to south african citizens and permanent resident holders from the age of 16 years and onwards. In order to apply for your south african id book you will need to have been issued with a permanent residency certificate, only once you have a permanent residency certificate.
South african passport holders flying to cuba via europe, london or turkey must apply for a cuban visa prior to departing south africa. How to apply for a south african id book immigration sa. South africa department of foreign affairs and trade. Obtaining an south african id book intergate immigration service. The easiest ways to claim a british passport the south african.
South african passport holders need a visa to visit the uk. South africa visa online book flight tickets, hotels. Internationals living in south africa, coming from one of the schengen member. Frequently asked questions south african high commission uk. Yes, south african passport holders are required to obtain a schengen visa in order to enter any european country in the schengen zone. Visa requirements for uk citizens south african high. Vfs global manages visa facilitation centres for department of home affairs. Dha visa information south africa general information. South african passports are issued at home affairs offices in south africa. Where is the south african passport book number on sa. Ireland visa for south african passport holders visa list. It is part of passport application and south africans 16 years or older have to fill this form.
Born before 1983 to a parent who was born after 1949 as long as that parent a was a british citizen, or b had a parent born in the uk. If your passport is damaged its best to get it replaced before applying for visa. Name of the representative collecting the decision. The following south africa visa information outlines the notable changes to the immigration act. South african high commission south africa house trafalgar square london. The fee for a longterm visit visa depends on its length. South africa visa information in zimbabwe more than 3. Details about the point based visa system can be found here. South african passports must be valid for at least 6 months after your return to south africa. Uk visa options for sa passport holders looking to move up.
General information about south african identity books identity documents. South africans abroad and those born abroad cannot apply. Please also check your transit visa requirements for example if flying via the uk you will require a uk visa. The interview goes well, and the applicant is then offered tier 2 sponsorship. Entering south africa on a foreign passport south africa. South africa online visa for uk citizens requirements. However, there are some categories of people residing in south africa that are exempt from the visa requirement, as following.
Decoding your south african id number western cape. South african citizens over the age of 18 may not make use of foreign passports to enterexit south africa unless it has been determined that they are not entitled to south african citizenship or have renounced it. How to apply online for a south african smart id card brand. It allows the bearer to travel in foreign countries in accordance with visa requirements, and facilitates the process of securing assistance from south african consular officials abroad, if necessary. Do not send form bi9 blank with just your fingerprints.
A south african id number is a digit number which is. A spousal visa will allow the applicant to join a south african citizen or permanent resident in south africa on a temporary visa, which is normally valid for 23 years. All payments will only be paid into a south african banking account. A south african passport is a travel document issued to citizens of south africa for the purpose of international travel. Please do not post any original documents if application is submitted by post. If you are considering opening a joint account in south africa, note that the south african law does not allow joint account rather there is provision for accounts that will have all your money for which you may grant your partner or spouse access to but in reality, the account is in the name of one person and the other person merely has a signing power. South africans are the exception to the rule 57% of us like to book at least 1 to 3 months before the trip and 11% 3 to 6 months before 29% book within 30 days. Getting a cuban visa your step by step guide travelstart. Discover more about south african citizenship, including all of the requirements and how to go about submitting an application. South african citizens have been advised against travel to the eu, uk, usa and other areas affected by covid19, and citizens and south african residents returning to south africa from affected areas will be subject to screening. Where the applicant has lost misplaced the original receipt, an affidavit issued by the south african police services will be required. South african identity document id 2x certified copies of photo page of id book.
Although all south africans in sa, regardless of age, can now finally order their fantastic new smart id cards. Oct 19, 2017 a spousal visa will allow the applicant to join a south african citizen or permanent resident in south africa on a temporary visa, which is normally valid for 23 years. South africa is partially closing its borders, and has closed two of its eight sea ports and 25 of its land ports. Immigration policy changes were published for comment on 14 february 2014. Applying for a south african id book once permanent. Enjoy a faster, more convenient and more luxurious application.
Visa requirements for south african citizens wikipedia. Consulate general of the republic of south africa hksarmsar. You need to first apply online and continue your visa application at your nearest uk visa application centre. We also offer transit visas, which are currently priced. Visa pages are invalid if damaged or stained by stamps from other pages. Schengen visa requirements for south africans eu visa in. Our south african id number is a very important part of our lives and is the key to our access to banking facilities and our daily interaction with retail, medical aid, insurance and travel.
South african passport holders also have access to get 23 evisas or 18 visas on arrival. Jul 19, 20 the uk visa application process from south africa. The timelines given by south african embassy in zimbabwe for the processing of each application is minimum 6 to 8 weeks from the day of submission at visa application centers. To determine which visa meets your intent, it is in your best interest that you first contact move up to begin getting your uk visa needs solved move up za operate under a standard full case fee refund guarantee, that in the unlikely event of not being awarded your visa first. The information in the site should be used as a guide only.
It might take several weeks or even months until the requested visa is issued. How to apply for your south african passport no such announcement has been made by the department. This information will help you understand what the numbers in your south african id represents. Improvements in the dha system have seen a more streamlined rsa id book application process for permanent residence awarded after. However visa applicants should bear in mind that each application is subject to an.
A south african passport is a valid proof of citizenship document. You can visit one of their visa application centres in durban. Applying for an identity document western cape government. Application for a south african identity book id opening hours. They can send a self addressed prepaid stamped envelope to 15 whitehall, london, sw1a. If you plan on travelling to the uk and you have a south african passport, you will need to apply for a visitors visa. Travel information for children under the age of 18 travelling to south africa. South african passport grants visafree entry to almost 90. The department of home affairs told sapeople that they are still clearing the backlog in sa, and until further notice south africans overseas cannot.
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