1. What is a visa?

A visa is an authorization only to the holder (of the valid passport) to proceed to the Republic to report to an immigration officer at a port of entry for the purpose of being examined as to his/her ability to comply with the (entry) requirements of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), as amended. Possession of a visa does not guarantee the holder automatic admission into the Republic of South Africa. 

2. Do I need a visa when traveling to South Africa?

Certain citizens who are holders of national passports (diplomatic, official and ordinary) of foreign countries / territories / international organizations are not required to hold a visa when reporting to an immigration officer for examination at a South African port of entry.  Taiwanese nationals require a visa to enter South Africa. For any other foreign national, please check if you are required to have a visa.

3. Do I need to submit a confirmed ticket with my application?

No, you are only required to submit a flight itinerary for your attended travel dates to South Africa. PLEASE DO NOT CONFIRM/PAY FOR YOUR TICKET BEFORE YOUR VISA IS ISSUED.

4. I reside in Taiwan but I am not a Taiwanese citizen. I want to travel to South Africa and require a visa. Can I apply at the Liaison Office for a visa?

Yes, however, since the application must be sent to the South African Mission accredited to your country for processing, this may take longer and the visa will only be issued upon approval from the relevant Mission.

5. Do I need a yellow fever certificate when I travel to South Africa?

Yellow fever certificate is required only if the applicant is passing through yellow fever belt area (or has travelled to a yellow fever country previously) before entering South Africa. Vaccination should be approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and administered at least 10 days before departure for South Africa at any yellow fever approved vaccination centers as the vaccine offers protection 10 days after administration. If vaccination is administered less than 10 days before departure, traveler may be refused entry.

Countries Falling Within the Yellow Fever Belt:

6. What documents do I require when applying for a visa?

Foreigners who wish to visit South Africa must have valid passports / travel documents valid for thirty (30) more days after the intended return date from South Africa.  The passport must contain at least two (2) unused (blank) pages labeled Visa when presented at the Embassy or Consulate; One page is for affixing the visa or permit at the Embassy/Consulate and the other page is for endorsement of entry/departure stamp by the South African Immigration Services. Note: Visa pages referred to above do not include pages reserved for Endorsements, Amendments or Observations.

7. Can a visa be issued for an internship?

No. The Immigration Act, as amended, makes no provisions for foreigners to undertake internships at companies and organizations in the Republic of South Africa. Therefore, visas may not be issued to such foreigners; including foreign students whose studies prescribe an internship.

8. What visa is needed to conduct short term or urgent work?

All foreigners who intend to conduct short term or urgent work in the Republic of South Africa, including, but not limited, to service technicians, trainers / instructors and film crews, for a period not exceeding three (3) months must hold authorization to conduct work in terms of section 11(2), which must be applied for and issued at a South African foreign embassy, before traveling to the Republic of South Africa.

• Section 11(2) authorization to conduct work on a visitor’s visa

• Service technicians (installation, repair and maintenance work)

• Commercial stills and film producing industry

9. When Applying for a child passport,  must I present my child when applying?

Yes, for security reason, the child must be present on submission of the application at the Liaison Office of South Africa.

10. Must both parents be present?

Yes, both parents must be present, however, for exceptional cases where it is impossible for one parent to attend, the Liaison Office will require an affidavit from the absent parent with detailed motivation for absence as well as giving the other parent permission to apply for the child passport.

11. Where do I apply for a medical report (public hospital or at a registered private hospital)? Does it need to be notarised?

An English medical report needs to be submitted, and it can be done at any public or private hospitals in Taiwan. The English medical report must then be notarised by a notary public at a district court and authenticated by the Bureau of Consular Affairs of R.O.C., before it is submitted to our office.

12. When the applicant is a minor (under 18 years old), what documents are required when travelling to South Africa?

*The consent letter and supporting documents listed below need not be certified.*

A. When the child is accompanied by both parents:

• Birth Certificate: The original English birth certificate or household transcript of the child, plus a copy. (The copy will be kept on file with the application.)

• Parents' Passports: The valid passports of both parents, plus copies of the bio-data pages. (The copies will be kept on file with the application.)

B. When the child is accompanied by only one parent, a legal guardian, or another adult:

• Birth Certificate: The original English birth certificate or household transcript of the child, plus a copy. (The copy will be kept on file with the application.)

• Letter of Consent: A Parental Consent Letter  (PCA) or formal letter of consent from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, authorizing the child to enter or depart from the Republic, plus a copy. (The copy will be kept on file with the application.)

• Absent Parent’s Passport: The valid passport(s) of the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, plus a copy. (The copy/copies will be kept on file with the application.)

• Accompanying Adult’s Passport: A copy of the valid passport of the adult accompanying the child.

• Court Order (if applicable): A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship of the child, plus a copy. (The copy/copies will be kept on file with the application.)

• Death Certificate (if applicable): The death certificate of the deceased parent(s) or legal guardian, plus a copy. (The copy will be kept on file with the application.)

• Adoption Order (if applicable): A formal adoption order, plus a copy. (The copy/copies will be kept on file with the application.)

C. When the child is travelling unaccompanied:

• Birth Certificate: The original English birth certificate or household transcript of the child, plus a copy. (The copy will be kept on file with the application.)

• Letter of Consent: A Parental Consent Letter (PCA) or formal letter of consent from both parents or legal guardians, authorizing the child to travel, plus a copy. (The copy will be kept on file with the application.)

• Parents' Passports: The valid passport(s) of the parents or legal guardians, plus a copy. (The copy/copies will be kept on file with the application.)

• Receiving Person’s Letter & ID: A letter from the person receiving the child in the Republic, including their physical residential address and contact details where the child will reside. This must be accompanied by a copy of their South African identity card, or valid passport with a valid visa or permanent residence permit. (Note: This letter and the ID/passport copies must be certified by the South African Police Service.)

• Court Order (if applicable): A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship of the child, plus a copy. (The copy/copies will be kept on file with the application.)

• Death Certificate (if applicable): The death certificate of the deceased parent(s) or legal guardian, plus a copy. (The copy will be kept on file with the application.)

• Adoption Order (if applicable): A formal adoption order, plus a copy. (The copy/copies will be kept on file with the application.)