South African passport

File:SA Passport Cover.jpg

The cover of a South African passport issued in 2005.

The South African passport is the travel document issued to citizens of South Africa. The passport is issued by the South African Department of Home Affairs.^[1] It is a valid proof of citizenship document according to the South African nationality law. South African travel documents are granted in terms of the South African Passport and Travel Documents Act (Act 4 of 1994), and the South African Passport and Travel Documents Regulations of 1996.

Temporary South African Passport

Temporary passports, valid for one year, are issued to applicants who need to travel urgently while their permanent passports are being processed. Applicants for temporary passports must also apply for permanent passports. Temporary South African passports are similar in appearance except read "Temporary Passport rather than "Passport". At this stage the following countries do not recognize the South African temporary passport as a valid document to enter these countries: The United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, China, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxemburg, Italy, Canada and certain states in the USA.

Physical appearance

South African passports are in green, with South African coat of arms(1932-2000) emblazoned in gold in the center of the front cover. The Words "PASSPORT", French: "PASSEPORT" and "REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA", French: "REPUBLIQUE D`AFRIQUE DU SUD" are inscribed above the coats of arms and below the coat of arms respectively. The ordinary passport contains 32 Visa Pages, but frequent travelers [Maxi passport] contains 64 Visa Pages (as noted above).

Identity Information Page

The South African passport includes the following data:

• Photo of passport Holder
• Type-Type (PP)
• Country - Pays (ZAF)
• Passport No.- No Du Passport
• Surname - Nom
• Given Names - Prenoms
• Nationality - Nationalite
• Date of birth - Date de Naissance
• Identity No - No. D'IDENTITE
• Sex - Sexe
• Place of birth - Lieu de Naissance
• Date of issue - Date de delivrance
• Authority - Authorite
• Date of expiry - Date d'expiration

The information page ends with the Machine Readable Passport Zone.

Passport Note

The passports contain a note from the issuing state that is addressed to the authorities of all other states, identifying the bearer as a citizen of that state and requesting that they be allowed to pass and be treated according to international norms. The note inside of South African passports states:

In English:

In the Name of the President

The President of the Republic of South Africa requests all whom it may concern to allow the bearer of this passport to pass freely without let or hindrance and to afford the bearer all necessary assistance and protection.

and in French:

Au Nom du Président

Président de la Republique d'Afrique du Sud,prie tous ceux que les présentes peuvent concerner de laisser passer librement et sans entrave le titulaire du présent passport et de lui accorder toute aide et secours en cas de besoin.

Languages

The data page/information page is printed in both English and French.

Applying and carrying

Pages 28 and 29 of a South African passport with foreign travel advice.

In order to apply for a South African passport, one must fill out application form BI-73, and bring the appropriate sized photographs to ensure correct identity.

South African passports are issued at any home affairs office in South Africa.

According to the South African Citizenship Act (Act 88 of 1995) as amended by the South African Citizenship Amendment Act (Act 17 of 2004), South Africans may hold dual citizenship, but may not use their citizenship of another country to gain advantage or avoid responsibility while in South Africa.

It is also illegal for an adult who holds South African citizenship to enter or depart South Africa using a non-South African passport. Dual nationals traveling on a non-South African passport may be turned away from border checkpoints and could be fined or imprisoned for up to 12 months.

Incidents involving South African passports

In 2005, the actor Wesley Snipes was detained at OR Tambo International Airport for attempting to leave South Africa on a fraudulent South African passport in his possession. [2]

In July 2008, South African passport holders were amongst those singled out by the United Kingdom during a global review as likely to require visas by the end of 2008 unless the countries in question take measures to reduce the perceived risk they pose to the UK. This finding comes after uncovering a major multi-national people smuggling conspiracy involving fraudulently issued, genuine South African travel documents. During two trials that concluded in July 2007 and January 2008 in the United Kingdom, it was revealed that at least 89 Indian citizens had been issued with South African passports by corrupt officials in South Africa's Department of Home Affairs, and that these passports were subsequently used by the Indian citizens to enter Britain illegally. During the trial, a witnesses testified that one of the scheme's ring leaders boasted of bringing 6000 illegal immigrants into the United Kingdom on fraudulently issued South African passports.

For the time being, only South African nationals who have previously entered into the United Kingdom on their current passports will be exempted from the visa requirement and this special policy will be remained until mid-2009.

Visa-free travel for SA passport holders

Visa free or visa on arrival

Africa

Countries and Territories	Allowed Stays
Benin	30 days
Botswana	90 days
Cape Verde	30 days Visa issued free on arrival
Comoros	Visas issued upon arrival (determined the length of stay and fees charge)
Ethiopia	3 month Tourist Visa issued on arrival at Bole International airport
Gabon	3 months
Kenya	30 days
Lesotho	14 days
Madagascar	90 day visas can be granted on arrival for USD15
Malawi	90 days
Mauritius	6 months per year
Mozambique	30 days
Namibia	90 days
Rwanda	3 months
Saint Helena	90 days
Senegal	3 months
Seychelles	30 days
Swaziland	60 days
Tanzania	3 month Visa can be obtained on arrival
Togo	7 day Visa can be obtained on arrival
Tunisia	30 days Visa can be obtained on arrival
Uganda	3 month Visa can be obtained on arrival
Zambia	30 days
Zimbabwe	90 days visa on arrival free of charge

Americas

Countries and Territories	Allowed Stays
Argentina	3 months
Aruba	30 days
Bahamas	3 months
Barbados	6 months
Belize	One month
Bermuda	6 months
Brazil	90 days
British Virgin Islands	30 days
Cayman Islands	30 days
Chile	90 days
Colombia	90 days
Costa Rica	90 days
Dominica	21 days
Dominican Republic	30 days (Tourist card issued on arrival for USD10)
Ecuador	90 days per year
El Salvador	90 days
Falkland Islands	90 days
Grenada	3 months
Guatemala	90 days
Guyana	90 days
Haiti	3 months
Honduras	90 days
Jamaica	6 months
Montserrat	3 months
Nicaragua	90 days
Paraguay	90 days
Peru	90 days
Saint Kitts and Nevis	14 days
Saint Lucia	6 weeks [3]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	One month
Turks and Caicos Islands	30 days
Venezuela	90 days with tourist card issued on board scheduled airlines

Asia

Countries and Territories	Allowed Stays
Armenia	120-day Visa issued upon arrival (15,000 AMD)
Azerbaijan	30-day Visa granted upon arrival
Cambodia	30 days visa issued on arrival
Georgia	Visas can be issued on arrival in Tbilisi airport (USD 40)
Hong Kong	30 days
Indonesia	7 days or 30 days Visa issued on arrival
Laos	30-days tourist Visa issued upon arrival for US$30
Macau	30 days
Malaysia	3 months
Maldives	30 days
Nepal	60 days or 120 days Tourist Visa issued upon arrival
Philippines	21 days
Singapore	30 days
South Korea	30 days
Sri Lanka	30 days
Tajikistan	45 days Visa issued on arrival at Dushanbe airport
Thailand	30 days
Timor-Leste	30-day visa issued upon arrival for US$30

Europe

Countries and Territories	Allowed Stays
Ireland	3 months

Oceania

Countries and Territories	Allowed Stays
Cook Islands	31 days
Fiji	4 months
Micronesia	30 days
Nauru	30 days Tourist Visa can be issued free on arrival
New Zealand	3 months
Niue	30 days
Palau	30 days
Samoa	60 days
Tokelau	3 months (same as New Zealand)
Tuvalu	One month
Vanuatu	30 days

Visa-Free travel for Diplomatic, Official and Service passport

Countries and Territories	Diplomatic	Official/Service
Albania	One month	One month
Angola	90 days	90 days
Bangladesh	30 days	30 days
Bolivia	90 days	90 days
Bulgaria	90 days	90 days
Croatia	90 days	90 days
Cyprus	90 days	90 days
Czech Republic	3 months	3 months
Egypt	3 months	3 months
France	3 months	3 months
French Guiana	3 months	3 months
French Polynesia	3 months	3 months
Guadeloupe	3 months	3 months
Germany	90 days per year	Visa required
Ghana	60 days	60 days
Greece	90 days	90 days
Hungary	120 days	120 days
Iceland	3 months	3 months
Martinique	3 months	3 months
Mali	One month	One month
Mauritania	90 days	Visa required
New Caledonia	3 months	3 months
Panama	90 days	90 days
Poland	3 months	3 months
Portugal	90 days	90 days
Réunion	3 months	3 months
Romania	90 days	90 days
Slovenia	120 days	120 days
Turkey	One month	One month
Vietnam	90 days	90 days

References

• South Africa Government Online
• South African Department of Home Affairs
• Countries face new UK visa rules. South Africans visiting the United Kingdom will need a visa, under new rules issued by the Home Office.
• All South African nationals will now require a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland
• New countries face tough visa rules