Visas from the U.S.

From the U.S. to South Africa, you should check out the consular website for SA for the most up to date information. http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/consulate/ If you have questions regarding the information on that site, certainly give the office a call but be persistent. The NY office returns calls based on the order in which they receive them so be sure to call first thing in the morning. The phones operate on an automated menu but certain departments never answer. If you’re having trouble getting through, I would try calling the wrong department and then have them transfer you to the department you need (which will most likely be the Department of Home Affairs).

If you’re an American citizen you automatically get a 90 day tourists visa upon entry. To stay longer, you should look for a Visa that matches your needs. I came to SA as a volunteer and so asked the organization I was planning to work with to sponsor me in advance. On a Volunteer’s Visa you can stay up to 2 years. For an internship I would expect there is a suitable student or intern visa as well. If you’re going to SA for profit or expecting to make any money, you will find the hurdles for getting a Visa are a bit more rigorous. It took a while to assemble all the parts of my Volunteer Visa, but from the day I mailed it to the consular offices it really did only take 10 business days. I think the key thing to getting it returned promptly is to make sure all the necessary parts and forms are included.

To give you an idea of the types of things you might need for your application:

• Passports (including travel/emergency travel documents) must have: at least one (1) unused (blank) visa page when presented to the South African Immigration Services upon arrival in South Africa.
o Note: Visa pages referred above do not include pages reserved for observations, amendments and endorsements.

• Passport valid for 30 more days after the intended return date from South Africa with at least two unused visa pages for endorsement. The unused page needed for endorsement purposes is separate from pages in a passport reserved for observations and amendments.

• Fees payable to the appropriate South African representative office
• Prescribed Form 1738
• Medical Report (BI-811)
• Radiological Report (BI-806) -- they tell you online that you need this form but really, all you need is Dr.’s stamp saying that you are not in need of Radiological Report based on their physical examination of you.
• Police Clearance Certificate from all countries where the applicant resided for 12 months or longer since 18 years -- it takes the longest to get a Police Clearance Certificate from the FBI (we’re talking months), so your best option is to go to your most recent, local county or city police offices to get a Criminal Background Check.
• A vaccination certificate, if required;
• Proof of financial means in the forms of: Bank statements; Salary advices; Undertaking (commitment) by the South African host; Bursaries (grant awarded as part of a financial assistance package); Medical coverage; Cash available, including credit cards or travelers' checks to cover expenses related to the visit; Deposit (you all need this if you’re staying extra long and without a return ticket).
• Marriage and birth certificate
• Applicants traveling by air must be in possession of round trip tickets, or proof of sufficient funds or lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value to such a ticket -- In order to even book a One-way ticket you need special permission from the consulate to allow you to do so, in which case they will most likely ask you to give them a deposit. This deposit ensures the SA government that you will not be overstaying your visa as they will have the means to send you back should you stay too long.
• Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of visit -- This would be the sponsorship letter from the organization or company you’re going to work for.