EXPATS RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has confirmed that expatriates who hold long term visa for South Africa may now travel back to the Republic, subject to motivation outlining the exceptional need to return is provided.

Since moving to Lockdown Level 1, the easing of restrictions will include international travel into- and out of South Africa for business and leisure from Thursday, 01 October 2020. We are awaiting updates from The Minister of the Department of Home Affairs regarding regulations outlining the new procedures and protocols that will be instated in-line with COVID-19 precautionary measures.

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DO I QUALIFY?

Each application will be adjudicated on a case-by-case basis by DHA. Where you are unsure about your situation or if the same may / may not be compelling enough for DHA, please complete the below contact form with the necessary information, and one of our immigration specialists will get back to you.

Please note that the following categories of persons do not qualify to enter South Africa as set out in the regulations –

Expatriates travelling from high risk countries; and
Expatriates travelling from countries that are visa exempt from SA.

Intending on entering South Africa on a short-term basis, will not be considered by DHA.

OUR SERVICES

As the largest independent immigration provider in South Africa, we liaise with the Department of Home Affairs and foreign missions daily and as such we are perfectly placed to assist with the necessary approval process to allow you to travel abroad. We typically assist expatriates that are stuck abroad and that are in urgent need to return to South Africa. Our service includes –

Assessing qualifying criteria for DHA’s consideration.
Drafting of motivation letter.
Submission of application to the DHA.
Subsequent follow ups to the DHA, as required, until approval letter has been received.
Preparation of Travel Pack to South Africa.

PROCESS

DIRCO and DHA Approval

The motivation outlining your imperative need to South Africa, together with the supporting documents, will be submitted directly to the DHA. The adjudication of these applications is done by a multi-departmental sitting that is held once a week.

Attorney’s Letter

As soon as the DIRCO and DHA letter of approval has been granted, an additional lawyer will be provided confirming that you may indeed travel back to South Africa This appears necessary at various levels of the travel process.

Travel Pack

Once all the prescribed documents have been collated, we will prepare a Travel Pack for your presentation at the ports of entry when departing/arriving to South Africa.

IMPORTANT NOTE

It is important to note that the approval of entry into South Africa is to the sole discretion of DIRCO and DHA as due to COVID-19, this is a fast-changing area of law and regulation.

IN THE NEWS

Airlines-to-resume-flight-schedules

NEWS | AIRLINES TO RESUME FLIGHT SCHEDULES

The outbreak of COVID-19 has greatly affected both the international and domestic travel sectors, forcing most travellers to remain in the country they were in before the lockdown measures were enforced.

Home-Affairs-Allows-International-Travel-Opportunity-for-Expats-to-help-parents-stuck-in-SA-XP

NEWS | HOME AFFAIRS ALLOWS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL: OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPATS TO HELP PARENTS STUCK IN SA

On 23 May 2020, the Department of Home Affairs (“DHA”) has confirmed that international travel will be permitted for South Africans to travel out of South Africa.

International Travel for SA

NEWS | INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ALLOWED FOR SOUTH AFRICANS

The requirements include a copy of a valid South African passport, a letter from the country you will be travelling to confirming your admissibility, permission for transiting countries, proof of means of travel and the intended date of departure.

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS IS OFFERING REPATRIATION FLIGHTS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE & WORK INTERNATIONALLY

As international travel is currently prohibited in South Africa, and the county has closed its borders, these flights are are solely for the purpose of the repatriation and are approved by the South African government to assist citizens return to their homes or places of employment.

Full Name*
Email Address*
Contact Number
Country of residence*
Are you a South African Citizen / Permanent Residency holder?*
If no, what is your country of residency?*
Do you need to return to South Africa urgently?
Assistance for an Individual or Corporate Group*
Reason to enter South Africa*
Please specify other reason*
Corporate Name
Industry*
Job title of person required to enter South Africa*
What type of visa do you currently hold for South Africa?*
Expiry date of visa?*
Motivation detailing exceptional need to return to South African*
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

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Kindly note that our offices are closed between 25 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 and as such there will be a delay in our normal expeditious response times. Our teams are taking a short festive season break and will address your query upon their return on Thursday, 2 January 2025.