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

Okay, let’s be actual: South Africa is much. Regardless of the place on this planet you’re coming from, so long as it’s not on the African continent, we are able to ensure that South Africa is much from you. It’s not precisely your typical fast getaway, and the flight itself goes to check your persistence. However right here’s the factor — South Africa is so value 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 airplane will really feel like nothing.

We lately traveled to South Africa, and we are able to inform you definitively that it is likely one of the most stunning nations we’ve got set foot in. First off, let’s discuss 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 happening a sundown cruise. Heat due to the pleasant locals and scrumptious meals. You’ve acquired 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 Massive 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and cape buffalos) out of your bucket checklist. 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.

Methods to 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 difficult. You simply want to collect the necessities and submit it at VFS. No advance appointments needed.
• Bodily Visa (through Journey Company). That is helpful for many who don’t have the time to lodge their utility themselves or those that reside removed from Manila. Sure, there’s just one visa utility middle right here within the Philippines and it’s positioned in Makati. So in the event you’re based mostly within the province, it is likely to be fairly the trouble to journey to Manila simply to (1) submit your utility and (2) declare your passport.

One of the crucial trusted journey companies you may need to take into account is Constellation Travels. It’s an enormous established company and an establishment within the Philippine journey scene. In addition they provide all-inclusive South Africa tour packages, and in the event you avail of it, visa processing will probably 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 keep 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. They usually weren’t the one ones. Looks like others have been encountering the identical downside. So to be protected, we additionally opted to get a bodily visa.
• Second, we simply needed an precise, bodily visa on our passport. I do know that is fairly shallow, however bodily visas are getting rarer and rarer today, so we attempt to get one whereas they’re nonetheless accessible.

In our case, as a result of we have been so busy round this time, we determined to course our utility 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 complete checklist 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 latest passport-size photographs. Should be 35mm x 45mm. Taken throughout the previous 30 days.
3. Absolutely achieved visa utility type (DHA-84). Emphasis on DHA-84, since you’ll discover 2 variations of this way on-line. DHA-84 and DHA-1738. DHA-84 is the proper 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 acquired 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 threat nation BEFORE getting 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 threat nation, we’re required to current a proof of yellow fever vaccination. Listed here are the nations which can be thought of yellow fever threat.
5. 3 months financial institution assertion. As proof of monetary capability. Should be licensed by financial institution, issued inside seven (7) days earlier than the time of utility.
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 fastened flight preparations must be made till the visa has been attained. You may get this from journey companies.
7. Proof of lodging. Lodge 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 many others. All supporting paperwork have to be licensed by the police in South African Commissioner or Commissioner of Oaths.
9. Marriage certificates, if relevant. It’s essential to carry the unique while you submit your utility.
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 identify, passport quantity, journey dates/size of keep, objective of the journey, and handle. It must also clearly state who pays for the journey and the contact particulars of approved signature’s identify and designation of sponsor. You’ll discover a pattern cowl letter under.

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

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

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

Step 2: Submit your utility.

If you happen to’re making use of through a journey company, simply ship it to them and they are going to be lodging your utility in your behalf. That might be it. The company will handle all the things from there and can simply replace you.

If you happen to favor to submit it your self, right here’s the handle:

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

My pals utilized on their very own. In keeping with them you’ll be required to go away your devices, vape and energy banks exterior. There are lockers for lease for P75. They’ll test your paperwork and acquire a service price, which is PHP 2180, money solely.

And that’s it! Simply wait on your visa, if accepted.

Step 3: Wait on your visa.

How lengthy is the South Africa visa processing time?

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

In our case, our utility 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 customary or it is dependent upon the itinerary you submit.

Do you might have a pattern South Africa visa utility 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 identify
• applicant’s signature
• passport quantity
• objective of the journey
• size of keep
• bodily handle
• identify of individual or institution who will probably be shouldering the bills of the journey
• contact particulars
• designation and signature of sponsoring occasion

If you happen to’re making use of through Constellation Travels, they are going to handle the notarization.

What does a South Africa visa appear like?

Like this:

Do you suggest a journey company for South Africa?

We utilized by way of Constellation Travels, Inc.

Constellation Travels additionally affords South Africa tour packages. That is nice for many who don’t have the time, power or bandwidth to cope with planning a visit and making use of for a visa. If you happen to’re availing of a tour bundle, visa utility is already included!

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

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

And that’s it! South Africa is likely one of the most spectacular locations we visited, and Cape City immediately turned one in every of our favourite cities. Yeah, South Africa is much — however consider it as a protracted journey that results in some of the 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 recollections that’ll stick with you ceaselessly.

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