Advertisers

Getting in and visas for South Africa

You are here:

South Africa

Stuff you need
Country Info
Getting in
Getting around
Hostels & Accommodation

Getting in

Visas

Most nationalities get up to 3 months entry on arrival. Check with the Home Affairs and your travel agent whether you need to prearrange a visa. Do not show up without a visa if you are required to have one, as visas will not be issued at points of entry. If needed, you can extend your visa in South Africa. With an extension the total amount of time you are allowed to stay is 6 months. Additional information as well as Visa application forms can be found at the Department of Home Affairs, ph: +27 (0)12 810 8911 Make sure you have 2 blank pages back to back in your passport and that it is valid for at least six more months or you will be sent back! Make sure you have a return ticket available or they will send you back. If you need to pick up a ticket at the airport have the flight number and details handy and speak with the customs guy, they should check your story out and let you in (be firm). Be wary of arriving with a damaged passport as new security measures might trip up your entry.

By plane

South Africa has 10 international airports, the two major ones being Cape Town International and OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Regular flights arrive from major centres throughout Africa including: Blantyre, Cairo, Gaborone, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Kinshasa, Maputo, Manzini, Maun, Mauritius, Nairobi, Victoria Falls and Windhoek.

Direct flights also arrive from major European centres, including: Amsterdam, Athens, Madrid, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich and Lisbon. There are also direct flights from Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Dubai, Doha, New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Buenos Aires, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Perth. You may also want to have a look at Discount airlines in Africa. See Air travel in South Africa for detailed information.

By car

Should you be entering from one of the other countries in Southern Africa you might want to do so by car. South Africa operates a number of land border posts between itself and immediately neighbouring countries. The more commonly used ones are: Botswana border

Skilpadsnek (On the N4, 54km from Zeerust.), ☎ +27 (0)18 366-1469. Open 6AM to 10PM.

Lesotho border

Maseru Bridge (15km from Ladybrand on the N8 towards Maseru.), ☎ +27 (0)51 924-4004. Open 24 hours.

Ficksburg Bridge (Just outside Ficksburg), ☎ +27 (0)51 933-2760. Open 24 hours.

Sani Pass (In the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg park.), ☎ +27 (0)51 430-3664. 8AM to 4PM.

Mozambique border

Lebombo (On the N4 between Nelspruit and Maputo), ☎ +27 (0)13 790-7203. 6AM to 10PM.

Kosi Bay (R22 between Hluhluwe and Ponta do Ouro), ☎ +27 (0)35 592-0251. 8AM to 4PM.

Namibia border

Nakop (132 km from Upington on the N10 towards Ariamsvlei), ☎ +27 (0)54 571-0008. Open 24 hours.

Vioolsdrift (On the N7 north of Springbok), ☎ +27 (0)27 761-8760. Open 24 hours.

Swaziland border

Oshoek (120km from Ermelo on the N17 towards Mbabane), ☎ +27 (0)17 882-0138. 7AM to 10PM.

Zimbabwe border

Beit Bridge (On N1 approximately 16 km north of Messina), ☎ +27 (0)15 530-0070. Open 24 hours.

Open times are often extended during South African holidays.. For a full list of entry ports or any additional information see the South African Border Information Service or contact them on +27 (0)86 026-7337.