Visitor’s Visa South Africa| No more ‘Border Hopping’
On June 2, 2014 / Leave a comment
Over recent years certain foreign nationals who received a Visitor’s Visas upon entering South Africa have crossed the border to neighbouring countries (e.g. Namibia) to avoid applying for an extension of their Visitor’s Visas at Home Affairs. Some people have managed to receive new 90 day/30 day visas upon re-entry into South Africa. This, however, is now over.
Section 11(5) of the new regulations state that any foreign national who was issued a Visitor’s Visa as per Section 10A(4) of the Act may leave South Africa while on a valid Visitor’s Visa and may return to South Africa thereafter on the SAME visa.
However, should the previous visa expire while the candidate is out of South Africa (e.g. visiting Namibia) and they return to South Africa, they “may be admitted on a new visa for a period not exceeding 7 days”.
Only if the foreign national re-enters South Africa from their country of residence will a new visa be issued as per Section 10A(4) of the Act.
This means that foreign nationals who receive their initial 90 day (or 30 day) visa upon entry into South Africa will be allowed to leave South Africa before the expiry of their visas. If that original visa is still valid by the time the candidate returns to South Africa, he/she will NOT be issued a new one, but will be admitted into the country on that original visa. The exception to this are foreign nationals who arrive back in South Africa from their country of residence, or foreign nationals from countries which share a border with South Africa.
Do take note that certain foreign nationals are visa exempt, meaning they do not need to apply for a visa before coming to South Africa, but rather receive the visa at airport immigration upon their arrival. The detailed list can be found on the Home Affairs website.
For any other visa related queries, don’t hesitate to contact us.
Updated June 2014
Joachim
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