International Travel Allowed for South Africans

South African’s studying abroad will welcome the announcement that international travel is now back on the cards. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed on 23 May 2020 that international travel will be allowed for South Africans, who fall within limited categories.

CategoriesThe main categories which will be allowed are work, study, family reunion, to take up permanent residency and for medical reasons. These are indeed the most important categories and make provision for most cases where international travel is an important consideration.

RequirementsThe 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.

Home Affairs ApprovalThe international travel is subject to Department of Home Affairs approval, which is needed before you can proceed with your travel arrangements. At this stage the complexity of this process is unclear, albeit that one would expect that the normal strict Home Affairs protocols will be followed.

Group ArrangementsThe new dispensation makes provision for a single Department of Home Affairs application for a group and the supporting information must then be send for each member of the group.