Genvisec advises that Business/leisure travel can continue to South Africa obeying security advice. Certain categories of traveller will need enhanced security depending on the destination in country.

 

Crime

 

South Africa has a very high level of crime, including rape and murder. The risk of violent crime to visitors travelling to the main tourist destinations is generally low. The South African authorities give high priority to protecting tourists and tourism police are deployed in several large towns. Most cases of violent crime occur in the townships. We advise you do not visit the townships.

 

Incidents of vehicle hi-jacking and robbery are common, particularly after dark. Keep to main roads and park in well lit areas.

 

There are frequent incidents of car windows being broken and valuables taken while cars are waiting at junctions. Keep valuables out of sight.

 

Due to thefts at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you should vacuum-wrap luggage where local regulations permit. Keep all valuables in your carry-on luggage.

 

Keep large amounts of money, expensive jewellery, cameras and phones out of sight. Don’t change or withdraw large sums of money in busy public areas including foreign exchange facilities or ATMs. Thieves operate at international airports, and bus and railway stations. Keep your valuables safe and baggage with you at all times.

 

Don’t give personal or financial account information details to anyone. There are international fraud rings operating in South Africa, who may target visitors and charities.

 

Local travel

 

There are particularly high levels of crime in the Berea and Hillbrow districts of Johannesburg and around the Rotunda bus terminus in the Central Business District.

 

Be particularly vigilant in Durban’s city centre and beach front area.

 

Keep to main roads and avoid driving at night when visiting Northern KwaZulu Natal and Zululand, as there have been incidents of hi-jacking and robbery, particularly on isolated secondary roads.

 

Be vigilant on the approach roads to and from Kruger Park where there have been cases of car hijacking.

 

Avoid isolated beaches and picnic spots. Don’t walk alone, especially in remote areas. Hikers should stick to popular trails. There have been violent attacks on hikers and tourists on Table Mountain. Take care in quieter areas of the Park, especially early in the morning or just before the park closes.

 

Call the police (on 10111 or on 112 from a mobile phone) at the first sign of danger.

 

Mobile phone reception is generally good in major towns and cities but can be intermittent in more remote spots.

 

Road travel

 

You can drive using a EU Driving Licence for up to 12 months.

 

The standard of driving in South Africa can vary greatly and there are many fatal accidents every year.

 

On highways overtaking can occur in any lane including the hard shoulder. On single-lane roads the hard shoulder is also sometimes used by trucks and slower vehicles to allow faster vehicles to overtake. At quieter intersections, first vehicle to arrive sometimes has priority. On roundabouts, you should give way to the right, although this rule is often ignored.

 

Road standards are mostly very good, but some roads in remote areas are less well maintainp and may have potholes. Drive cautiously, obey speed limits and avoid unfamiliar rural areas at night. Thieves have been known to employ various methods to make a vehicle stop (eg placing large stones in the middle of the road) enabling them to rob the occupants. Park in well-lit areas. Don’t pick up strangers or stop to help apparently distressed motorists, as this is a technique sometimes used by hijackers. It’s better to report any incident to the police.

 

Local laws and customs

Always carry your identity documentation or a copy of your passport. You’ll need to be able to produce valid identification on request by South African officials.

 

Drug-taking and smuggling is an offence.

 

Homosexuality is legal, and the South African authorities have introduced legislation which bans any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

 

Money

There are limits on the amount of currency you can bring into South Africa. For cash in South African Rand (ZAR), the limit is 10,000ZAR. For combinations of cash in other currencies, the limit is US$10,000 (or equivalent). You should declare any amount higher than this on entry to South Africa.

 

There is a high incidence of credit card fraud and fraud involving ATMs. Make sure your PIN is not seen by others when withdrawing money from an ATM. Refuse offers of help from bystanders. Don’t change large sums of money in busy public areas.

 

Protect any documents containing details of credit cards or bank accounts.

 

Health

 

Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

The 2012 UNAIDS Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic estimated that around 5,700,000 adults aged 15 or over in South Africa were living with HIV; the prevalence percentage was estimated at around 17.9 of the adult population compared to the prevalence percentage rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. 

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 10177 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Entry requirements

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa.

 

Your passport should have at least 2 blank pages when you present it at immigration to enter or leave South Africa.

 

Visas

 

If you’re visiting South Africa on holiday for up to 90 days, you don’t need a visa.

 

For more information on visas contact the South African High Commission or the South African Department of Home Affairs.

 

Travelling with children (under 18)

 

New rules apply from 1 June 2015. If you’re travelling to South Africa or transiting through a South African airport with a child you must be able to produce the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. The South African Department of Home Affairs have confirmed that no supporting documents will be required by people in direct transit through a South African International Airport. Check with your airline to see whether you need to go through immigration on arrival in South Africa, collect luggage and check in again. If you do go through immigration you’ll need to provide the correct documentation.

 

There are additional requirements if the child is travelling with only one parent, with neither biological parent, or unaccompanied. See this information sheet, this statement by the South African Department of Home Affairs and this leaflet produced by the South African Department of Home Affairs. Contact the the South African High Commission if you have any specific questions about your trip.

 

Residence permits

 

New rules apply from 26 May 2014. If you live in South Africa, you must have valid residence permit in your passport when entering and leaving the country. Receipts issued by the Department of Home Affairs for applications to renew a permit will not be accepted by the immigration authorities. Instead of fining individuals whose permits have expired, you may be blacklisted and prevented from applying for a visa to re-enter South Africa for a period from 12 months to 5 years. 

 

If you’re issued a Form 19 ‘declaration of undesirability’ at the port of entry/exit and you wish to appeal against the decision you should email overstayappeals@dha.gov.za and include a copy of your current passport, copy of your last valid visa, copy of the Form 19 and proof of application for a residence permit.

 

Emergency Travel Documents

 

Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry into, transit and exit from South Africa but should have a minimum of 6 months validity.

 

Yellow fever

 

You must have a yellow fever certificate issued at least 10 days before arrival in South Africa if you have travelled from a  country with yellow fever, or if you have transited more than 12 hours through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. This includes when entry is solely to transit through a South African airport. If you don’t have a valid certificate, you’ll be denied entry to South Africa.

 

In January 2015, the South African authorities removed the requirement for proof of yellow fever vaccination for travellers arriving from Zambia, Tanzania, Eritrea, Somalia and Sao Tome & Principe.