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the passport must be valid for at least 30 days after the expected date of departure from South Africa + 2 blank pages for entry stamps.

+ It is necessary to have a completed Health Declaration

Yellow fever vaccination is often required for travelers arriving from endemic areas of North and South America and Africa. Passengers arriving from non-infected areas are not required to have yellow fever certificates.

Therefore, travelers planning a trip to South Africa should visit their doctor at least 6 weeks before departure to get the necessary vaccinations.

Apart from the yellow fever vaccine, there are no mandatory vaccinations for South Africa, although there are a number of recommended ones.

Travelers are strongly advised to meet all requirements for entry into South Africa. For example, every foreign national must have a valid South African visa upon arrival.

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If you do not need a visa to enter, your total stay in the country must not exceed 90 days.

Citizens of 14 countries can now obtain an e-Visa to South Africa. The South African e-Visa was launched for travelers from 14 countries in February 2022. This e-Visa is valid for short-term stays in South Africa, tourism, and other permitted activities.

Documents required for submitting an e-Visa application

To enter South Africa, you must have a passport that is valid for at least 30 days from the intended date of departure. It is necessary to have the same passport with you that was used when submitting the application since the e-Visa and the passport are connected electronically.

How to get a South African visa at the embassy

Travelers who are not citizens of one of the 14 countries must obtain a visa in person at a South African embassy or consulate before departure.

This process can be longer and more expensive than applying online due to longer waiting times and costs associated with a trip to the embassy.

Currently, submitting an application in paper form can entail:

appointment at the embassy
visiting the embassy with relevant supporting documents to submit the application
payment of the application fee
return to the embassy after obtaining a visa.

The above may not apply to all applications, the specific process depends on the type of visa, as well as the circumstances of the traveler.

Documents required for obtaining a visa to South Africa in paper form

Below is a list of accompanying documents that may be required to obtain a guest visa at the South African embassy or consulate:

Passport or travel document valid for at least 30 days after leaving the country (passport must have 2 unused pages for stamps).
Completed BI-84 form (visa application)
Proof of payment of the application fee
Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if applicable)
Documents confirming the purpose and duration of the visit
2 color passport photos
Round-trip plane ticket
Proof of financial resources for the duration of your stay in South Africa (e.g. bank statements, salary advances, scholarships, cash or credit cards, etc.).

Foreigners traveling with minors must provide the following additional documents:

Proof of custody or care or
Guardian's consent in the case of an unaccompanied minor.

Transit visas are issued to foreigners (up to 3 days) who will pass through South Africa on their way to neighboring countries.

Travelers transiting through the following international airports are exempted from the need for transit visas, but will undergo biometric control directly at the airport:

OR Tambo International;

Cape Town International;

King Shaka; and

Lanseria (Johannesburg)

Travelers using land ports of entry to transit through South Africa will need to apply for a port of entry visa.

Requirements for a transit visa:

DHA-84 application form. The application must be filled out and signed in black ink only.
A valid passport/travel document, valid for at least (30) days after the end of the intended visit, with three (3) completely blank pages.
One (1) passport-size photo.
Route sheet with data on the onward flight.
Proof of visa/permit/resident status in destination country is required.
An undertaking by the government of the host country confirming that it will take responsibility for the deportee(s) and accept the deportee(s) in the country of origin if necessary. Supporting documentation relating to accompanying persons to be provided.
Transit visa fee (if applicable). Fees depend on the nationality of the current passport. Where fees are payable, the current fee is AUD 47.00 (non-refundable). Check here if you have to pay a visa fee: Visa countries.
Payment must be made in Australian Dollars (AUD) payable to the South African High Commission by postal money order or bank check.

*Personal checks or credit cards are NOT accepted. Incorrect payment is not accepted; in case of incorrect payment, the check or postal money order will be returned to the applicant.

Dogs and cats imported into South Africa must have an ISO 11784/11785 microchip.

The microchip must be implanted before or together with the rabies vaccine. Tattoos are not accepted in South Africa.

Dogs and cats imported into South Africa must have a valid rabies vaccination. Vaccination must be done at least 30 days before the date of import.

The authorities of South Africa require that dogs and cats enter South Africa with a rabies vaccine that was given no more than 12 months before the animal was imported.

If your cat/dog is coming from Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, or Northern Ireland, you do not need to have a rabies vaccination. However, we recommend that you get vaccinated against rabies as South Africa is not rabies free.

Puppies and kittens under the age of 3 months do not need vaccination against rabies. In order for puppies and kittens to travel to South Africa, their mother must be vaccinated against rabies more than 30 days and less than 1 year before they are born. Once puppies/kittens arrive in South Africa and reach the age of 3 months, they must be vaccinated against rabies.

In addition, we strongly recommend that you vaccinate your dog/cat with all the necessary annual vaccinations that are given in your country.

Vaccination against kennel cough is also recommended.

If you wish to import a dog into South Africa, your dog must pass the following blood tests within 30 days before the date of export:

Brucella canis
Trypanosoma evansi
Babesia gibsoni
Dirofilaria immitis
Leishmania

If your country is free of one or more of the diseases listed above, your dog will not need to be blood tested for diseases that your country is free of. Please note that the veterinary authorities of your country must officially declare this.

Dogs that test positive for any of the five diseases will not be able to enter South Africa. Dogs requiring quarantine in South Africa will be re-tested for these five diseases.

During quarantine, if your dog tests positive for Brucella canis, Babesia gibsoni or Leishmania, your dog will have to return to the exporting country. If your dog tests positive for Dirofilaria immitis or Trypanosoma evansi during quarantine, you will be given the opportunity to treat your dog as necessary. After the treatment, the dog will need to be tested again, and only with negative results will it be released from quarantine. If you choose not to treat the dog, you will have to send it back to the exporting country.

It is important to note that all costs (such as quarantine, testing, treatment and reshipment of the dog) are the responsibility of the owner.

Unlike dogs, cats imported into South Africa do not need to undergo any of the above blood tests.

The veterinary health certificate provided with the import permit must be completed within 10 days before the flight.

The veterinary certificate must be completed by a private veterinarian and certified by the veterinary authority of the exporting country.

The original health certificate must be presented to the State Veterinarian of South Africa at the port of entry.

Dogs and cats entering South Africa from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Swaziland must undergo a health check within 7 days before the flight.

Dogs and cats entering South Africa must have a veterinary import permit. The import permit is usually issued within 2-5 working days. The original import permit must be presented to the State Veterinarian of South Africa at the port of entry. Pet owners can send the original import permit along with the dog/cat or it can be presented to the officials at the airport by the person that will collect the pet.

Dogs and cats entering South Africa from the following countries are not required an import permit:

Malawi
Namibia
Botswana
Zimbabwe
Lesotho
Swaziland

Dogs and cats can enter South Africa only as declared cargo (with an air waybill), as pet owners cannot bring their pets to South Africa as excess baggage or in the cabin of an aircraft.

Dogs that need to undergo quarantine can enter South Africa only through the international airports of OR Tambo (Johannesburg) or Cape Town.

Cats and dogs (which do not require quarantine) can also enter South Africa through Durban International Airport.

Dogs entering South Africa from the following countries will not be quarantined: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Bulgaria, Canada, Comoros, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungry, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Reunion, Romania, Seychelles, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, United States, and Zimbabwe.

If your country is not listed above, your dog will be quarantined for 14 days.

If your dog is coming from an island, you should contact the Ministry of Agriculture to find out if your dog will be quarantined upon arrival.

Cats entering South Africa are usually not quarantined.

Here are some questions about bringing pets to South Africa:

Is a rabies antibody test required to import a dog or cat into South Africa?

Dogs and cats do not need to be tested for rabies antibodies to bring them into South Africa.

I have a small dog. Can I bring my dog on the plane?

No! Pets may enter South Africa only as declared cargo.

How long does it take to import a dog/cat into South Africa?

The duration of the process depends on many factors, such as: where you are moving from, what animal you have (dog or cat), the age of your pet, etc.

It is recommended that pet owners start the process 2-3 months before the planned travel date.

Can I bring my pit bull to South Africa?

South African authorities allow pit bulls and other "dangerous" dog breeds to enter South Africa.

National emergency response service - 10111

Emergency help from a mobile phone - 112

*By dialing this number, you will get to the automated menu. Don't let it upset you. This menu serves to control the sequence of care and screen out abuses in the medical and emergency care system.

Ambulance - 10177

*This number can be used in the event of a medical emergency and can be called in conjunction with the fire and police services, respectively, depending on the presence or absence of casualties.

Other useful contacts are available at https://www.santam.co.za/blog/what-we-do/the-top-emergency-numbers-every-south-african-should-have/

For information and advice on South African customs regulations, visit the official customs website: https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/travellers/arrival-in-sa/

To drive in South Africa, foreigners must have a full license issued in their country of residence. Valid licenses are those printed in English; if the license is in any other language, an International Driving Permit (IDP) must be obtained.

Licenses must be signed by the permit holder and have a photo.

Drivers must always have their driver's license with them when on the road. Travelers are also advised to make a copy of the permit as a backup.

When it comes to renting a car, rental companies have different policies regarding the validity of a driver's license. Customers should check with the car rental company in advance.

Are there any special requirements for driving or renting a car in South Africa?

Driving is done on the left side, and cars drive on the right. Roads are generally good and you don't necessarily need a 4WD in South Africa.

In South Africa you may find yourself driving very long distances, so stop often as fatigue is a major cause of road accidents.

Also, refuel regularly as there are few gas stations in the country.

1. What is the safest way to travel around cities.

Renting a car is a great option. The roads are mostly in good condition.
Enjoy quality public transportation in Cape Town with MyCiti. They have a great mobile app that you can use to plan routes, calculate fares, and even top up your myconnect card. The card costs R35.
Gauteng has the Gautrain train, which is a very safe option, but has a limited number of routes.
Taxis are not recommended for tourists.
Uber is a safe option. Check your Uber and the Uber driver as there have been reported cases of people posing as Uber drivers.
Hitchhiking in South Africa is not safe.

2. Although most shops and restaurants accept credit cards, it is still a good idea to carry some cash (especially small change). ATMs are readily available in most shopping centers, gas stations and supermarkets if you want to withdraw money. You can also withdraw money at the airport upon arrival. However, it is best not to travel in South Africa with large amounts of cash.

3. South Africa's electrical grid is 220/230 volts, and outlets accept two-pronged or three-pronged rounded plugs. Hotels often have 110-volt outlets for electric shavers and USB outlets for other electronic devices.

4. In accordance with South African law, please note that smoking is not permitted in public places and buildings unless they are specifically designated as smoking areas.

5. Often, wherever you park - outside a restaurant, on the beach, in a supermarket, etc. - you will encounter young men who will offer to look after your car and protect it from being broken into while you are away, in exchange for a fee (a few rands) upon your return.Some of these guards are officially hired by the establishment, and some are young unemployed guys who are just trying to make some money.

Sources:

https://www.araioflight.com/top-tips-first-time-travellers-south-africa/

https://travelbuddieslifestyle.com/south-africa-travel-tips/

https://hoponworld.com/10-useful-tips-for-your-first-visit-to-south-africa/

Representative offices and embassies of the South Africa around the world: https://www.southafricavisa.com/list-of-south-africa-embassies/

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