South African passport
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. 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.
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[edit] Types of passport
There are four types of passports that are issued:
- Ordinary passport issued to South African citizens 16 years and older.
- (Valid for a maximum period of 10 years, 6 weeks processing time and costs R165.00)
- Children's passport issued to children under 16 years.
- (Valid for a maximum period of 5 years, 6 weeks processing time and costs R125.00) (Note: with the exception of expiry dates Children's passports appear no different then those of adults)
- Temporary passport issued only to citizens who must travel urgently for a valid reason and cannot wait for their proper passports to be issued. Temporary passports are no longer valid for travel to the United Kingdom.
- (Valid for a maximum of 12 months, 1 week processing time and costs R80.00)
- Diplomatic passport or Official Passport issued to officials attached to government institutions who have to travel on official business
- (Valid for a maximum period of 5 years, provided at no charge)
- Maxi passport (64-page) issued to frequent travellers who are 16 years or older.
- (Valid for a maximum period for 10 years, 6 weeks processing time and costs R310.00)
- Emergency Travel Certificates are single sheets of paper that can be used instead of passports in emergencies.
- South Africa also issues a Travel Document for persons who are not South African citizens but who are resident in South Africa. This document is called a Document for Travel Purposes.
[edit] Applying and carrying
In order to apply for a South African passport, one must fill out application form BI-73, and bring the appropriate sized photographs. Fingerprints will be taken and matched against the South African Population Register, to ensure correct identity.
South African passports are issued only in Pretoria and in South African Embassies.
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 travelling on a non-South African passport may be turned away from border checkpoints and could be fined or imprisoned for up to 12 months.
[edit] Incidents involving South African passports
In 2005, the actor Wesley Snipes was detained at Johannesburg International Airport for attempting to leave South Africa on a fraudulent South African passport in his possession. [2]
[edit] Visa-free travel for SA passport holders
The following countries allow South African passport holders to either enter without a visa or obtain one on arrival.
[edit] Asia
- Hong Kong - 30 days
- South Korea - 30 days
- Macau - 30 days
- Malaysia - 30 days
- Maldives - (visa granted upon arrival)
- Singapore - 30 days
- Nepal - 60 days (visa may be bought on arrival)
- Cambodia - 30 days (visa may be bought on arrival)
- Indonesia - 30 days (visa may be bought on arrival)
- Thailand - 30 days
- Philippines - 21 days
- Sri Lanka - 30 days (visa issued on arrival)
[edit] Africa
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- Benin - 30 days
- Botswana - 30 days
- Cape Verde - (visa granted upon arrival)
- Comores - (visa granted upon arrival)
- Gabon - 30 days
- Kenya - 30 days
- Lesotho - 14 days
- Malawi - 90 days
- Mauritius - 90 days
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- Tunisia - 30 days (visa bought on arrival)
- Mozambique - 30 days
- Namibia - 90 days
- Senegal- 90 days
- Seychelles - 30 days
- St. Helena - 90 days
- Swaziland - 60 days
- Zambia - 30 days
- Zimbabwe - (visa granted upon arrival)
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[edit] Australia and Pacific islands
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[edit] Europe
- Gibraltar - 90 days
- Ireland - 3 months
- Liechtenstein - 3 months
- Switzerland - 90 days - until Switzerland soon introduces Schengen_Agreement legislation and new visa requirement for South Africans
- United Kingdom - 6 months
[edit] Middle East
- Bahrain - (visa granted upon arrival)
- Israel - 90 days
- Jordan - 30 days (visa granted upon arrival)
- Oman- visa bought on arrival
[edit] Americas
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