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

Okay, let’s be actual: South Africa is much. 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 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 just lately traveled to South Africa, and we will inform you definitively that it is without doubt one of the most lovely nations we have now set foot in. First off, let’s speak Cape City — a metropolis that’s equal elements cool and heat. Cool as a result of it’s full of scenic adventures like biking across the metropolis or occurring 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 brief 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 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 the way to get one.

Learn how 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 simple — nothing too sophisticated. You simply want to collect the necessities and submit it at VFS. No advance appointments needed.
• Bodily Visa (by way of Journey Company). That is helpful 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 situated in Makati. So should you’re based mostly within the province, it is likely to be fairly the trouble to journey to Manila simply to (1) submit your software and (2) declare your passport.

One of the trusted journey businesses you may wish to think about is Constellation Travels. It’s an enormous established company and an establishment within the Philippine journey scene. In addition they supply all-inclusive South Africa tour packages, and should 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 buddies who tried to use on-line bumped into issues with the web site. If I bear in mind accurately, they weren’t receiving any of the e-mail notifications that had 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 as if others had been encountering the identical downside. So to be secure, 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 as of late, so we attempt to get one whereas they’re nonetheless obtainable.

In our case, as a result of we had 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 checklist for Filipinos making use of for a vacationer visa, straight from the official web site.

1. Passport. Will need to 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 be aware 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. Absolutely completed visa software kind (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 right one. Should be accomplished in block letters and black ink. Will need to 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, should you’re touring from the Philippines or the Americas, Europe, Center East, you don’t want a yellow fever vaccination. You solely want this should you’re coming from or staying in a yellow-fever danger nation BEFORE getting into South Africa. In our case, we’d 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 here are the nations which can be thought of 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 ought to be made till the visa has been attained. You may get this from journey businesses.
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 so on. 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 if 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 identify, passport quantity, journey dates/size of keep, goal of the journey, and handle. It must also clearly state who can pay for the journey and the contact particulars of licensed signature’s identify and designation of sponsor. You’ll discover a pattern cowl letter beneath.

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

For minor dependent youngsters: there are further paperwork to be submitted. Take a look at this checklist, in direction of the underside.

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

Step 2: Submit your software.

For those who’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 might be it. The company will handle all the pieces from there and can simply replace you.

For those who choose to submit it your self, right here’s the handle:

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

My buddies 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 test your paperwork and gather a service payment, which is PHP 2180, money solely.

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

Step 3: Wait to your visa.

How lengthy is the South Africa visa processing time?

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

In our case, our software was submitted on July 18. Our passports with visa had 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 depends 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 exchange the main points with your personal.

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

• applicant’s identify
• applicant’s signature
• passport quantity
• goal 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 celebration

For those who’re making use of by way of Constellation Travels, they may 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 affords South Africa tour packages. That is nice for many who don’t have the time, power or bandwidth to take care of planning a visit and making use of for a visa. For those who’re availing of a tour package deal, visa software 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 without doubt one of the most spectacular locations we visited, and Cape City immediately grew to become certainly one of our favourite cities. Yeah, South Africa is much — however consider it as a protracted journey that results in one 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 depart South Africa with recollections that’ll stick with you eternally.

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