South African borders opened for business

IMPORTANT UPDATE ON VISA INFORMATION

A Message from Consular Office
South African Consulate General

Dear All,

Kindly note that we have just been informed that all visa exemptions that were withdrawn, have now been re-instated. Thus NO visa is required for travellers from: USA, UK, France; Spain; Italy; Germany; Portugal; Singapore; South Korea; Iran & Hong Kong, visiting South Africa for visits up to 90 days for tourism and business purposes.

As from 1 October 2020 South African borders opened for business and leisure travel for international traveller’s subject to a number of restrictions for travellers.

These restrictions included that all travellers visiting the country will be expected to abide by the regulations which include mandatory wearing of masks at all times, practising social distancing in public spaces, regular washing or sanitizing of hands and presenting a negative COVID-19 test.

Travellers intending to visit the country will be expected to produce a PCR  (polymerase chain reaction) test that is not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa. This test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted such test.

Upon arrival in the port of entry, the traveller will be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms or for contact with people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus.
Travellers will also need to provide proof of accommodation address should they need to  self-quarantine at the time of arrival in the country.
Should the traveller display any COVID-19–related symptoms or been in contact with an infected person(s), they will be expected to take a mandatory COVID-19 test.  This test will be at the traveller’s cost.  If the COVID-19 test comes back positive, the traveller will be subjected to a 10 day quarantine at a designated site.  The accommodation at a quarantine site will be at the traveller’s cost.

Furthermore, the international travellers should possess a mandatory travel insurance which is supposed to cover the COVID-19 test and quarantine costs.   All these travellers will be subjected to COVID-19 screening on arrival.  Those who present COVID-19 symptoms which include elevated body temperatures and flu-like symptoms, will be required to take a COVID-19 test which should be covered by the travel insurance. Should the test results come back positive, the traveller will be subjected to mandatory quarantine, which will also be paid for by the traveller or the travel insurance.

TRAVELLERS FROM HIGH – RISK COUNTRIES: The list of countries considered as High Covid risk is updated every two weeks.  Passport holders / visitors from these countries may not enter the RSA for tourism purposes but may do so for work reasons.
If a traveller did visit or originates from a country on  the High Risk List, proof is needed on his/her passport that he/she did not return from the High risk Zone in the last 10 days.

If the passport of the traveller from a high risk country indicates that he/she has spent 10 days or more in a low risk country before departure, he/she will be considered to be arriving from a low risk country.

Long term visa holders who visit the country for business purposes will be allowed to travel to South Africa. These travellers will also be subject to health screenings for COVID-19 symptoms at the port of entry.

We hope you find the above in good order.

Yours sincerely,

Consular Office
SOUTH AFRICAN CONSULATE GENERAL
Vicolo San Giovanni sul Muro, 4
20121 Milano

Tel. +39 02 885858.1
Fax +39 02 72011063
E-mail: consular.milan@dirco.gov.za
http://www.sudafrica.it