South Africa trip
 

Hi there, I’m planing a Southern Africa trip starting in October, for about 4 months, I’ll be flying into joburg then spending about 2 weeks in south Africa before travelling north for a few months, from what I can find out I only get 3 a month visa on entry to South Africa that I can’t get renewed unless I fly back home, the problem is I need to go back to South Africa without going home, has anyone had any experience with this? I’m sure lots of people must do Africa trips for longer than the 3 months, is it just a case of leaving to another country like Mozambique before the visa runs out then coming back after?
Thanks.

Lots of recent stuff on Facebook Overlabnding Africa group. IIRC you don’t have to go home, just leave S African Customs Union (suggest you check U have got that right!)

No, you don't have to leave the country to get an extension. But you can extend your 30-day visa only once for another 90 days under normal circumstances.


Living in Germany as South African expat I had to give up my SA citizenship in order to get the German passport. So SA rules apply for me as for any other foreigner in SA.

Thanks for the replies, so can You get an extension of the 90 day visa within south Africa without leaving? How do you do this? Some friends I’m travelling with want to arrive back in SA before the first 90 days is up and we’re thinking they’d have to either fly back to uk to get the new 90 days or cross into moz just before the visa runs out then come back just after and hope they get another 90 days. Our trip is 4 months in total. If we can extend our 90 day visa that would be perfect.

At the Department of Home Affairs. Check this link:
https://www.southafricavisa.com/extension-renewal/


Usually there is a gigantic queue at that Dept., because locals have to get all kinds of documents there, but for visa extensions they have a separate office with no queues. The problem is more how to find this office, so best phone them before going there :rolleyes2:


Good luck with the SA bureaucrats :cool4: Once in the office, insist that you desperately need the extension immediately, because your tourist bus is waiting or any other excuse.... Don't accept an explanation that this extension takes its time and you should return in a few days, while your passport is being kept there!

Ok that’s great info, Thankyou!

Hey Tony, Im travelling around SA atm till november so drop me a dm if you wanted to ride together for part of the trip...cheers

Nico