South African passport
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The South African passport is the travel document issued to citizens of South Africa. The passport is issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs. It is a valid proof of citizenship document according to the South African nationality law. South African travel documents are granted in terms of the South African Passport and Travel Documents Act (Act 4 of 1994), and the South African Passport and Travel Documents Regulations of 1996.
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[edit] Types of passport
There are four types of passports that are issued:
- Ordinary passport issued to South African citizens 16 years and older.
- (Valid for a maximum period of 10 years, 6 months processing time and costs R165.00)
- Children's passport issued to children under 16 years.
- (Valid for a maximum period of 5 years, 6 months processing time and costs R125.00) (Note: with the exception of expiry dates Children's passports appear no different then those of adults)
- Temporary passport issued only to citizens who must travel urgently for a valid reason and cannot wait for their proper passports to be issued.
- (Valid for a maximum of 12 months, 1 week processing time and costs R96.00)
South African Temporary Passports are currently not acceptable for entry into Austria, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, France ,Germany, Italy, Ireland, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
- Diplomatic passport or Official Passport issued to officials attached to government institutions who have to travel on official business
- (Valid for a maximum period of 5 years, provided at no charge)
- Maxi passport (64-page) issued to frequent travelers who are 16 years or older.
- (Valid for a maximum period for 10 years, 6 months processing time and costs R310.00)
- Emergency Travel Certificates are single sheets of paper that can be used instead of passports in emergencies.
- South Africa also issues a Travel Document for persons who are not South African citizens but who are resident in South Africa. This document is called a Document for Travel Purposes.
[edit] Physical appearance
South African passports are in green, with South African coat of arms(1932-2000) emblazoned in the center of the front cover. The Words "PASSPORT", French: "PASSEPORT" and "REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA", French: "REPUBLIQUE D`AFRIQUE DU SUD" are inscribed above the coats of arms and below the coat of arms respectively. The ordinary passport contains 32 Visa Pages, but frequent travelers [Maxi passport] contains 64 Visa Pages (as noted above).
[edit] Identity Information Page
The South African passport includes the following data:
- Photo of passport Holder
- Type-Type (PP)
- Country - Pays (ZAF)
- Passport No.- No Du Passport A2448bf
- Surname - Nom
- Given Names - Prenoms
- Nationality - Nationalite
- Date of birth - Date de Naissance
- Identity No - No. D'IDENTITE
- Sex - Sexe
- Place of birth - Lieu de Naissance
- Date of issue - Date de delivrance
- Authority - Autorite
- Date of expiry - Date d'expiration
The information page ends with the Machine Readable Passport Zone.
[edit] Passport Note
The passports contain a note from the issuing state that is addressed to the authorities of all other states, identifying the bearer as a citizen of that state and requesting that they be allowed to pass and be treated according to international norms. The note inside of South African passports states:
In English:
- In the Name of the President
- The President of the Republic of South Africa requests all whom it may concern to allow the bearer of this passport to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer all necessary assistance and protection.
and in French:
- Au Nom du Président
- Président de la Republique d'Afrique du Sud,prie tous ceux que les présentes peuvent concerner de laisser passer librement et sans entrave le titulaire du présent passport et de lui accorder toute aide et secours en cas de besoin.
[edit] Languages
The data page/information page is printed in both English and French.
[edit] Applying and carrying
In order to apply for a South African passport, one must fill out application form BI-73, and bring the appropriate sized photographs. Fingerprints will be taken and matched against the South African Population Register, to ensure correct identity.
South African passports are issued only in Pretoria and in South African Embassies.
According to the South African Citizenship Act (Act 88 of 1995) as amended by the South African Citizenship Amendment Act (Act 17 of 2004), South Africans may hold dual citizenship, but may not use their citizenship of another country to gain advantage or avoid responsibility while in South Africa.
It is also illegal for an adult who holds South African citizenship to enter or depart South Africa using a non-South African passport. Dual nationals traveling on a non-South African passport may be turned away from border checkpoints and could be fined or imprisoned for up to 12 months.
[edit] Incidents involving South African passports
In 2005, the actor Wesley Snipes was detained at Johannesburg International Airport for attempting to leave South Africa on a fraudulent South African passport in his possession. [2]
[edit] Advice for South African Citizens Travelling Abroad
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[edit] Visas/Permits
A visa or permit is your permission to travel to, enter, transit or remain in a foreign country. A visa or permit does not, however, guarantee entry, as the decision to grant entry remains the decision of the immigration officials of the foreign country.
South African passport holders enjoy visa exemptions for certain countries. This means that South Africans can travel, usually for holiday or business purposes, to a country without a visa for a pre-determined time. South Africans are strongly advised against using visa exemption to travel to a foreign country if the real intention is to work there. A work permit must be applied for.
South Africans must always check with the travel agent and/or the Foreign Representative in South Africa whether a visa is required or not. Since requirements can change from time to time it is best to double check the requirements before each trip.
If you do not correctly comply with visa or permit requirements or overstay on your visa or permit you will be subject to any or all of the following: charged, jailed, deported and blacklisted.
[edit] Travel Insurance
It is strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling abroad. Travel insurance should cover hospitalisation and related medical costs as well as a possible emergency evacuation. Depending on your age, physical condition and destination you should consider provision in the event of death. Your travel agent or bank will be able to advise you.
Medical costs abroad can be astronomical compared to South Africa. In some instances medical treatment can be withheld if a person has no proof of funds or travel insurance.
Travel insurance that cover expenses in the event of death abroad will ensure that family and friends are not burdened with the costs for the preparation and transportation of mortal remains to South Africa. Remember to confirm the details of your coverage with your insurer as pre-existing medical conditions may require additional cover.
It is important to cover all the members of the travelling party adequately.
[edit] Health Risks
Make timeous enquiries regarding the health risks in the country/countries you intend travelling to. Your doctor or centres such as Medi-Travel International or the Airport Medical Clinic would be able to assist.
The prescribed immunisations and/or medication can prevent serious long-term and fatal diseases.
Depending on the destination other basic precautionary measures are:
- Avoid drinks with ice;
- Be careful of vegetables or fruit grown on the ground (e.g. Lettuce, strawberries) and served raw.
- Avoid mayonnaise or other egg based sauces;
- Avoid street foods;
- Peel fruits before eating them;
- Use insect repellants
- Wear appropriate clothing.
Whenever necessary the Department of Foreign Affairs will, when alerted by the Department of Health, highlight specific health warnings.
[edit] Yellow Fever Requirements
A vaccination against yellow fever is a requirement for a person whose journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America. According to international health regulations, a valid yellow fever certificate is required from all passengers older than one year coming from or going to infected areas. The countries concerned are listed hereunder.
Visas or permits will not be issued to persons who have not met the requirement of being vaccinated against yellow fever. Yellow fever certificates are valid for a period of 10 years commencing 10 days after the date of vaccination or, in the case of re-vaccination, within such period of 10 years, from the date of that re-vaccination.
According to the Department of Health, persons arriving without a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate will either be:
- kept under observation for six days at their own cost, or
vaccinated against yellow fever at their own cost.
- At ports of entry where no Port Health Officers are based, persons will be refused entry into the Republic of South Africa.
These precautionary measures will be strictly enforced by the Department of Health to protect its residents in the RSA from this virus.
For ease of reference the Yellow Fever Endemic Areas are (verify with your travel agent):
- Angola
- Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi
- Cameroon, Central African Rep., Chad, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire
- Democratic Rep. of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia, French Guinea, Gabon
- Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana,
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Mali
- Niger, Nigeria
- Panama, Peru
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname
- Tanzania, Togo
- Uganda
- Venezuela
[edit] Visa-free travel for SA passport holders
- (The information provided here is to be used as a guide only. Consult with the relevant embassy or travel agency before travel)
According to a study done by Henley & Partners, South Africa has a Henley Visa Restrictions Index of 65, which means that South African citizens enjoy visa-free access to 65 countries and territories for short-term tourism visits. South Africa is ranked 37th in the study in terms of international travel freedom.
The following countries and territories/regions allow South African passport holders to either enter without a visa or obtain one on arrival. The requirements of entrance are based on tourist purpose only.
[edit] Africa
| Countries and Territories | Allowed Stays |
|---|---|
 Benin |
30 days |
 Botswana |
90 days |
 Cape Verde |
30 days Visa issued free on arrival |
 Comoros |
Visas issued upon arrival (determined the length of stay and fees charge) |
 Egypt (only South Sinai resort) |
14 days Tourist Visa issued free on arrival |
 Ethiopia |
3 month Tourist Visa issued on arrival at Bole International airport |
 Gabon |
3 months |
 Kenya |
30 days |
 Lesotho |
14 days |
 Madagascar |
90 Visas can be granted on arrival for USD15 (Recommended to obtain on arrival) |
 Malawi |
90 days |
 Mauritius |
6 months per year |
 Mozambique |
30 days |
 Namibia |
90 days |
 Rwanda |
3 months |
 Saint Helena |
90 days |
 Senegal |
3 months |
 Seychelles |
30 days |
 Swaziland |
60 days |
 Tunisia |
30 days Visa can be obtained on arrival |
 Zambia |
30 days |
 Zimbabwe |
90 days visa on arrival free of charge |
[edit] Americas
| Countries and Territories | Allowed Stays |
|---|---|
 Anguilla |
3 months |
 Antigua and Barbuda |
One month |
 Argentina |
3 months |
 Bahamas |
3 months |
 Barbados |
6 months |
 Belize |
One month |
 Bermuda |
6 months |
 Brazil |
90 days |
 British Virgin Islands |
30 days |
 Cayman Islands |
30 days (extendable up to 6 months) |
 Chile |
90 days |
 Colombia |
90 days |
 Costa Rica |
90 days |
 Dominica |
21 days |
 Dominican Republic |
30 days (Tourist card issued on arrival for USD10) |
 Ecuador |
90 days per year |
 El Salvador |
90 days |
 Falkland Islands |
90 days (Visitors Permit issued on arrival) |
 Grenada |
3 months |
 Guatemala |
90 days |
 Guyana |
90 days |
 Haiti |
3 months |
 Honduras |
90 days |
 Jamaica |
6 months |
 Montserrat |
3 months |
 Nicaragua |
90 days |
 Paraguay |
90 days |
 Peru |
90 days |
 Saint Kitts and Nevis |
14 days |
 Saint Lucia |
6 weeks |
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
One month |
 Turks and Caicos Islands |
30 days |
 Uruguay |
90 days |
 Venezuela |
90 days with tourist card issued on board scheduled airlines |
[edit] Asia
| Countries and Territories | Allowed Stays |
|---|---|
 Armenia |
21-day Visa issued upon arrival |
 Azerbaijan |
30-day Visa granted upon arrival (Recommended to obtain in advance) |
 Cambodia |
30 days visa issued on arrival |
 Georgia |
Visas can be issued on arrival in Tbilisi airport (USD 40) |
 Hong Kong |
30 days |
 Indonesia |
7 days or 30 days Visa issued on arrival |
 Laos |
30-days tourist Visa issued upon arrival for US$30 |
 Macau |
30 days |
 Malaysia |
3 months |
 Maldives |
30 days Visa issued on arrival |
 Nepal |
60 days or 120 days Tourist Visa issued upon arrival |
 Philippines |
21 days |
 Singapore |
30 days |
 South Korea |
30 days |
 Sri Lanka |
30 days |
 Tajikistan |
45 days Visa issued on arrival at Dushanbe airport |
 Thailand |
30 days |
 Timor-Leste |
30-day visa issued upon arrival for US$30 |
 Turkey |
One month entry Visas issued on arrival for USD 15 & 10 € |
[edit] Europe
| Countries and Territories | Allowed Stays |
|---|---|
 Gibraltar |
90 days |
 Guernsey |
6 months (same as UK) |
 Ireland |
3 months |
 Isle of Man |
6 months (same as UK) |
 Jersey |
6 months (same as UK) |
 Kosovo |
90 days |
 Liechtenstein |
3 months (same as Switzerland) |
 Switzerland |
3 months [1] |
 United Kingdom |
6 months |
[edit] Middle East
| Countries and Territories | Allowed Stays |
|---|---|
 Israel |
3 months |
 Jordan |
1 month visa issued free on arrival |
 Oman |
One month visa issued on arrival |
[edit] Oceania
| Countries and Territories | Allowed Stays |
|---|---|
 Cook Islands |
31 days |
 Fiji |
4 months |
 Micronesia |
30 days |
 Nauru |
30 days Tourist Visa can be issued free on arrival |
 New Zealand |
3 months |
 Niue |
30 days |
 Palau |
30 days |
 Samoa |
60 days |
| Tokelau |
3 months (same as New Zealand) |
 Tuvalu |
One month |
 Vanuatu |
30 days |
[edit] Visa-Free travel for Diplomatic, Official and Service passport
| Countries and Territories | Diplomatic | Official/Service |
|---|---|---|
 Albania |
One month | One month |
 Angola |
90 days | 90 days |
 Bangladesh |
30 days | 30 days |
 Bolivia |
90 days | 90 days |
 Bulgaria |
90 days | 90 days |
 Croatia |
90 days | 90 days |
 Cyprus |
90 days | 90 days |
 Czech Republic |
3 months | 3 months |
| Egypt |
3 months | 3 months |
 France |
3 months | 3 months |
| French Guiana |
3 months | 3 months |
 French Polynesia |
3 months | 3 months |
| Guadeloupe |
3 months | 3 months |
 Germany |
90 days per year | Visa required |
 Ghana |
60 days | 60 days |
 Greece |
90 days | 90 days |
 Hungary |
120 days | 120 days |
 Iceland |
3 months | 3 months |
| Martinique |
3 months | 3 months |
 Mali |
One month | One month |
 Mauritania |
90 days | Visa required |
| New Caledonia |
3 months | 3 months |
 Panama |
90 days | 90 days |
 Poland |
3 months | 3 months |
 Portugal |
90 days | 90 days |
| REU |
3 months | 3 months |
 Romania |
90 days | 90 days |
 Slovenia |
120 days | 120 days |
| Turkey |
One month | One month |
 Vietnam |
90 days | 90 days |
