Apply for a SOUTH AFRICA VISA • Necessities & Course of for Filipino Vacationers

Okay, let’s be actual: South Africa is way. Irrespective of the place on the earth you’re coming from, so long as it’s not on the African continent, we will ensure that South Africa is way from you. It’s not precisely your typical fast getaway, and the flight itself goes to check your endurance. However right here’s the factor — South Africa is so price the additional time and expense. Think about: breathtaking landscapes, epic wildlife safaris, and a tradition that’s as numerous as it’s fascinating. When you’re there, all these hours on the aircraft will really feel like nothing.

We not too long ago traveled to South Africa, and we will inform you definitively that it is without doubt one of the most lovely nations we’ve got set foot in. First off, let’s speak Cape City — a metropolis that’s equal components cool and heat. Cool as a result of it’s stuffed with scenic adventures like biking across the metropolis or occurring a sundown cruise. Heat due to the pleasant locals and scrumptious meals. You’ve received Desk Mountain looming over you, Instagram-worthy seashores, and vineyards only a quick drive away. Then, the safaris. Kruger Nationwide Park is the place you go to tick off the Large 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and cape buffalos) out of your bucket listing. You’ll be so near nature, it’ll really feel such as you’re in a Nationwide Geographic documentary.

And sure, we needed to apply for a South Africa visa previous to our journey. On this article, we’re gonna present you precisely get one.

Get a South Africa Visa

There are 3 ways to get a South African visa:

• On-line. Filipinos are eligible to use for an eVisa on the official web site.
• Bodily Visa (Direct). Apply for a bodily visa by yourself in Makati. South Africa visa processing is dealt with by VFS. The appliance course of for a bodily visa is fairly easy — nothing too sophisticated. You simply want to assemble the necessities and submit it at VFS. No advance appointments vital.
• Bodily Visa (by way of Journey Company). That is useful for many who don’t have the time to lodge their software themselves or those that reside removed from Manila. Sure, there’s just one visa software middle right here within the Philippines and it’s positioned in Makati. So in the event you’re primarily based within the province, it could be fairly the effort to journey to Manila simply to (1) submit your software and (2) declare your passport.

Probably the most trusted journey companies you may need to think about is Constellation Travels. It’s a giant established company and an establishment within the Philippine journey scene. In addition they supply all-inclusive South Africa tour packages, and in the event you avail of it, visa processing will likely be included robotically.

Anyway, Filipinos like us are eligible to use for an evisa on-line. However we selected to use for a bodily visa for two causes.

• First, as a result of my pals who tried to use on-line bumped into issues with the web site. If I bear in mind appropriately, they weren’t receiving any of the e-mail notifications that have been wanted to maneuver ahead. So they only gave up and ended up making use of in individual. And so they weren’t the one ones. Looks like others have been encountering the identical drawback. So to be secure, we additionally opted to get a bodily visa.
• Second, we simply wished an precise, bodily visa on our passport. I do know that is fairly shallow, however bodily visas are getting rarer and rarer nowadays, so we attempt to get one whereas they’re nonetheless obtainable.

In our case, as a result of we have been so busy round this time, we determined to course our software by way of an company, Constellation Travels.

So yeah, with out additional ado, let’s get proper into it.

Step 1: Full the necessities.

Right here’s the total listing for Filipinos making use of for a vacationer visa, straight from the official web site.

1. Passport. Should have at the very least two (2) clean pages to accommodate the visa sticker and at the very least 30-day validity after the goal departure date from South Africa. However please notice that Philippine Immigration requires passports to be legitimate for at the very least six (6) months.
2. 2 current passport-size images. Should be 35mm x 45mm. Taken inside the previous 30 days.
3. Totally completed visa software type (DHA-84). Emphasis on DHA-84, since you’ll discover 2 variations of this type on-line. DHA-84 and DHA-1738. DHA-84 is the right one. Should be accomplished in block letters and black ink. Should have the signature of the applicant, matching the signature on the passport.
4. Yellow fever vaccination certificates, provided that applicant will journey by way of or keep in yellow fever belt. We secured an Worldwide Certificates of Vaccination (ICV), which we received from the Bureau of Quarantine right here in Metro Manila. To be clear, in the event you’re touring from the Philippines or the Americas, Europe, Center East, you don’t want a yellow fever vaccination. You solely want this in the event you’re coming from or staying in a yellow-fever danger nation BEFORE coming into South Africa. In our case, we might be touring Kenya first earlier than flying to South Africa. However as a result of Kenya is a danger nation, we’re required to current a proof of yellow fever vaccination. Listed below are the nations which can be thought-about yellow fever danger.
5. 3 months financial institution assertion. As proof of economic capability. Should be licensed by financial institution, issued inside seven (7) days earlier than the time of software.
6. Spherical-trip flight reservation. Your flight have to be scheduled at the very least 15 working days earlier than your goal flight date. Reservation solely, not precise tickets. No mounted flight preparations must be made till the visa has been attained. You will get this from journey companies.
7. Proof of lodging. Resort reserving is accepted.
8. If invited by somebody in South Africa: Invitation letter from host. Should be signed by inviter. Additionally submit licensed proof of billing, ID, and so forth. All supporting paperwork have to be licensed by the police in South African Commissioner or Commissioner of Oaths.
9. Marriage certificates, if relevant. You should carry the unique once you submit your software.
10. Copies of passport bio web page. We submitted two (2) copies.
11. Cowl letter. Should be notarized and have the next: applicant’s full title, passport quantity, journey dates/size of keep, goal of the journey, and tackle. It must also clearly state who can pay for the journey and the contact particulars of approved signature’s title and designation of sponsor. You’ll discover a pattern cowl letter beneath.

For international passport holder primarily based within the Philippines, copy of labor visa/ residence allow in Philippines (legitimate Philippine visa).

For minor dependent kids: there are extra paperwork to be submitted. Try this listing, in direction of the underside.

When you’ve received all of your docs collectively, it’s time to submit your software.

Step 2: Submit your software.

In case you’re making use of by way of a journey company, simply ship it to them and they are going to be lodging your software in your behalf. That will be it. The company will handle the whole lot from there and can simply replace you.

In case you want to submit it your self, right here’s the tackle:

• Visa Utility Centre
  Floor Flooring, Makati Circuit Company Middle
  Tower Two, AP Reyes St. Brgy. Carmona, Theater Drive Circuit Makati, Makati Metropolis, 1630
  Philippines

My pals utilized on their very own. In response to them you’ll be required to depart your devices, vape and energy banks outdoors. There are lockers for hire for P75. They may examine your paperwork and accumulate a service payment, which is PHP 2180, money solely.

And that’s it! Simply wait to your visa, if accredited.

Step 3: Wait to your visa.

How lengthy is the South Africa visa processing time?

7 working days, in accordance with the web site. However in accordance with the workers, in lots of circumstances, solely 4 working days.

In our case, our software was submitted on July 18. Our passports with visa have been prepared for pickup on July 26. In order that’s 6 working days.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

What number of days are we allowed to remain in South Africa?

I utilized for 10 days; I used to be granted a visa that’s legitimate for a single keep of as much as 10 days.

I’m unsure if 10 days is commonplace or it is dependent upon the itinerary you submit.

Do you could have a pattern South Africa visa software cowl letter?

Right here’s a pattern cowl letter I created. That is the format that I used. Simply change the small print with your individual.

Once more, the letter have to be notarized, signed, and will need to have the next:

• applicant’s title
• applicant’s signature
• passport quantity
• goal of the journey
• size of keep
• bodily tackle
• title of individual or institution who will likely be shouldering the bills of the journey
• contact particulars
• designation and signature of sponsoring occasion

In case you’re making use of by way of Constellation Travels, they are going to handle the notarization.

What does a South Africa visa appear to be?

Like this:

Do you suggest a journey company for South Africa?

We utilized by way of Constellation Travels, Inc.

Constellation Travels additionally gives South Africa tour packages. That is nice for many who don’t have the time, vitality or bandwidth to take care of planning a visit and making use of for a visa. In case you’re availing of a tour bundle, visa software is already included!

Get in contact with Constellation Travels by way of these contact numbers and e-mail tackle:

Or go to their official web site at www.constellationtravels.com.ph.

And that’s it! South Africa is without doubt one of the most spectacular locations we visited, and Cape City immediately turned one in every of our favourite cities. Yeah, South Africa is way — however consider it as an extended journey that results in one of the crucial unforgettable journey experiences you’ll ever have. From the wild great thing about its nationwide parks to the dynamic city life in Cape City and past, you’ll go away South Africa with reminiscences that’ll stick with you without end.

We’ll be publishing extra South Africa content material quickly!