Preparations for safe passage

Published Mar 2, 2010

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- Before you start your journey, make sure you have a passport and that is valid for at least six months after your dates of travel. Some countries demand that your passport is valid for six months after your date of arrival.

- It takes about a month to get a South African passport. You can get a temporary South African passport which is valid from the date of acquisition. Today most countries will not give you a visa on a temporary passport. If you have valid visas stamped in your expired passport, just attach the temporary passport and your old passport. If you have a new passport, attach it to your old passport with the still valid visas.

- Some countries will refuse you entry if you have stamps from a country with whom they do not have good political relations.

If you are visiting a country whose stamp might cause problems in the future, ask them to stamp your entry on a separate piece of paper.

- If you are a dual national, take note of the following:

A South African citizen who has dual citizenship or nationality, can freely use his/her foreign passport outside South Africa. However, they must use their South African passport to depart or enter South Africa.

If you are a dual citizen, you can only use your South African passport in South Africa.

If you have queries, phone the Department of Home Affairs on 012 810 8911.

- Always carry extra passport photographs with you as you never know when you might find them useful.

- Remember to photocopy all your vital documents three times. One copy to keep on you, one to put in your luggage, and one to give somebody who is remaining at home. They will then be able to fax you this copy should any emergencies arise.

- When travelling to a foreign country, look up the phone and fax number of the South African embassy or consulate in that destination.

Then, should a problem occur, copies of your documentation can be faxed to them too.

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