29/01/2021
Latest update on South Africa's management of the Covid-19 Crisis: Impact on Travel, Visas and Immigration into South AfricaThe following is an extract of the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi's announcement on 12 January 2021
We have closed all 20 land borders which were open during Level 1 of the lockdown. A list of these borders is available on our website and our social media accounts.
The President mentioned six of the busiest ones. The other 14 will be on our website and social media accounts.As it was said, the closure will exempt certain, very important, services which will include movement of cargo and commercial goods, emergency medical treatment, movement of diplomats, deportation, people who need to go back to their home countries and allowing South Africans to return and learners who attend school daily in South Africa.Even during the hard lockdown, we did not stop people who wanted to go home from doing so.
If people do not fall into any of the categories mentioned, but believe their case is worth considering, they can apply to the Minister of Home Affairs seven working days before the date of intended travel for exemption, and must provide;a. a copy of passport; b. a copy of a temporary residence visa; c. demonstration of exceptional circumstances for the request to enter the Republic; d. number of days of intended stay; and e. proof of accommodation or place of residence.Such applications can be sent to the following email address, [email protected].
People who are allowed into South Africa are still subject to the prescribed screening procedures and isolation or quarantine rules, as the case may be, which include—a. provision of a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel; andb. in the event of failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative COVID-19 test, such person will be required to do an antigen test at his or her own cost and if he or she tests positive to COVID-19, he or she will be required to quarantine at his or her own costs.
We have decided that the following services will have to be suspended until further notice:·
Applications of Smart ID Cards, except for matriculants· Applications for passports, except for people who fall in the categories permitted to travel in the amended Disaster Management Act Regulations· Marriage services such as solemnisation and registration.For any enquiries, please contact us on [email protected]
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Featured services for FebruaryOur featured services, which are all operating as normal despite Covid restrictions, are:·
UK visa services· USA visa and investment services· Botswana Visa services· South African birth, death and marriage certificates
Please contact us if you require assistance with any related matters at email [email protected]
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FREE Webinars: Covid -19 Restrictions and Developments wrt Travel and Immigration You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Feb 4 at 11am SA time;Feb 11 at 11am SA time
Register in advance for this meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcucOusrD0tE9CheL012p_A_MwspUCDKyoA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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SA Immigration Q and A : Case studies, ask the Experts :Case Study and discussion: Visas, PR and citizenship
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: February : 3, 10, 17, 24 at 11am SA time; March: 3,10,17, 24 at 11am SA time
Register in advance for this meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpdOCqpj0iGddbDvPWVe_2KdJy2xOQq1Xg
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Do a Case study and ask the Experts about Visas, PR and Citizenship
