Commonly asked Visa & Permit Questions
   by our Customers

1) I'm preparing to apply for a temporary residence permit. In this respect I'm seeking a clarification  on the following issue: The police clearance certificate I have to present is issued in my home language (not English) only. Is this acceptable (as it doesn't contain any information except the personal data) or is a translation  necessary?

Persons applying for a category of temporary residence permit, who are required to complete the  form BI-1738, must submit police clearance certificates in respect of all countries where a person resided one year or longer. Provided that there are no entries on the police clearance certificate, citizens living in other countries may submit only the original police clearance certificate for that country with their application without having it translated into English.

 2) Is a US passport exempt from visa?  US, like German passport holders, are not required to apply for a visitors visa for tourist purposes in the Republic of South Africa prior to departure. For further details about the requirements for  the three months visitors visa please have a look in our information brochure.

 3) Do I need an international driving license, if I drive a hired car in South Africa? (German passport)  Foreigners require an international drivers license in addition to their drivers license from their  country of origin, to be able to drive in the Republic of South Africa.

 4) What do German residents need to enter South Africa?  German passport holders are not required to apply for a visitors visa for tourist purposes in the  Republic of South Africa prior to departure. The requirements for the three (3) month visitors visa,  which is issued at the point of entry into the Republic, i.e. international airport, are: 

 • A valid passport, with a minimum of 30 days validity after departure from South Africa, as well as a minimum of two (2) free pages for endorsements

 • A valid return ticket

 • Sufficient funds for the duration of your stay in the country

 5) Do I need to have a return flight ticket when entering South Africa?  Preferably you should enter SA on a round trip ticket. If you only have an onward ticket it is possible that you will have to make a cash deposit at the port of entry which can amount R3 000 to R12 500. This money is in lieu of the return ticket and can be paid back to you in your home country through the SA Embassy if you did not overstay in SA and did not violate the law.  According to our experiences the payback of the deposit was sometimes a very long procedure. 

6) My boyfriend/girlfriend is a South African citizen. Can I apply for a permanent residence?  Yes, life partner and spouses of South African citizens can apply for the permanent residence if they proof that  their life partnership is intended to be permanent. For further details please have a look in our information brochure.

 7) If I like to take up work in South Africa, do I need a visa with my Work Permit or is it already included?  You always need a visa according to the duration and reason of stay. Only the Work Permit does not entitle to stay in South Africa. Please take a closer look at the  different visa forms in our immigration brochure.

 8) When do I actually need such a Work Permit? Also when I want to attend an internship?  A Work Permit is always needed, if you go for a paid activity, for example if it is provable that you have a regular income. Internships are generally unpaid. In this case you do not need a Work Permit. But even for internships under a duration of three months a special visa is  demanded. Please take a look at our immigration brochure for further information.

 9) In which way and how much do I have to prove financially, if I attend to an unpaid job?  The proof that the cost of living can be financed can be submitted in the following forms:

 • Account statements

 • Proof of cash in the form of e.g. traveler's cheques or credit cards.

 Helpful is always a written confirmation of the parents about a regular financial support.

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