March 2022
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Visas & Permits
How can I contact the South African Consulates in Switzerland?
As follows:
South African Embassy, Alpenstrasse 29, 3006 Bern. bern.consular@dirco.gov.za;
South African Mission, Rue du Rhône 65, 1204 Genève consulargeneva@dirco.gov.za
What is a Visa?
A Visa is an authorization issued by the representative of the Government of a country permitting a foreign traveler to enter its boundaries.
How do I know if I need a Visa?
Depending on your purpose of travel, you should log onto the website of the South African Department of Home Affairs to check whether you are eligible or require a visa. Please visit
http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries
Which category of Visa is applicable to me?
The consulate staff is not authorized to advise/recommend any visa category. The Applicant will need to ascertain the visa category he/she is eligible for based on the purpose of travel. He/she can do so by checking the website of the Department of Home Affairs under www.dha.gov.za
May I apply for any category of visa and once in South Africa change?
No you may not!
Each category of visa/permit available has its unique requirements.
To qualify for a particular category you must be able to match the requirements with supporting documents available to you
You risk refusal if you apply for the wrong category or if your application is incomplete.
Do I have to come in Person?
All applicants, including infants/children, must appear personally at the Embassy by appointment.
For the collection of documents, you may send an authorized person to collect on your behalf. A letter of authorization signed by applicant as well as identification of the person will be requested.
Where should I apply for my visa?
If you are resident in the Cantons of Genève/Geneva, Valais/Wallis, Vaud and Fribourg, you must contact the South African Mission in Genève/Geneva
All residents in rest of Cantons of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, must apply at the South African Embassy in Bern
How soon/early can I lodge my Application?
Short term (3 months) Visa applicants: Set up an appointment (appointment.bern@dirco.gov.za) 2-3 weeks in advance of your intended travel date. A decision will be made within five (5)-ten (10) working days. During the waiting period, the original passport will remain at the Embassy.
Long term (3 months+) Visa applicants: set up an appointment (appointment.bern@dirco.gov.za) 4-8 weeks in advance of your intended travel date. A decision will be made by the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria within 2-5 weeks. During the waiting period, the original passport will remain at the Embassy.
Can I decide when to travel AFTER I receive my visa?
No you can not
A very important requirement is a flight reservation. The consulate will NOT set up an appointment without departure date.
Reservation can be finalized and confirmed after you receive your visa.
Can I forward documents by e-mail before or after my interview?
All documents pertaining your trip to South Africa should be printed and brought to the Embassy on the day of your interview. You may not use any electronic devices while you are in the Embassy. The Embassy will NOT print/copy any documents on your behalf.
What is an accepted valid passport?
- Passport should be valid a minimum of 30 days after the end-date of your journey to South Africa.
- Passport should be issued by an authorized office of the country of your nationality
- Passport should contain at least two empty pages at the time of your application for a visa.
- Passport should be machine readable and not mutilated/washed under any circumstances, otherwise they are considered void
- All passports should contain a picture and signature of applicant
Is the Swiss driver’s license accepted in South Africa?
Please contact the Swiss Embassy in Pretoria, Durban or Cape Town or the Swiss Traffic & Transport Department
Suggestion: Carry an international driver’s licence with your Swiss licence
How do I make payment of the applicable fees?
Visa applicants: DO NOT transfer any fees to the Embassy account before your appointment date.
All fees are processed electronically. You will be given the procedures and the amount due after your interview.
Can I take up a six-month internship/training in a South African Company?
NO. The Immigration Act, as amended, makes no provisions for foreigners to undertake internships at companies and organizations in the Republic of South Africa. Therefore, visas may not be issued to such foreigners, including foreign students whose studies prescribe an internship.
Where can I volunteer?
You may volunteer to do charitable work at any charitable organization registered as NGO or NPO. Administrative/office duties at charitable organizations are not regarded as volunteer work just because the position is without remuneration.
Often “unpaid work” at an NPO/NGO or Commercial Company is mistakenly assumed to mean voluntary or charitable work activities. In fact certain work activities e.g. marketing, administrative, office tasks do not constitute being engaged in voluntary or charitable work, even if they are conducted at a South African NPO (school, church, game resorts etc.) and therefore a visitor’s visa may not be issued for such work activities.
We are foreign nationals and would like to marry in South Africa. Is this possible?
Yes, it is possible. Regarding the documentation, please contact your national Embassy in South Africa, as your country’s regulations are applicable.
Please make sure you receive an unabridged marriage certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria BEFORE you leave South Africa
How can I extend or change the category/conditions of an existing visa/permit?
It is important to take note that the Immigration Act prohibits an application for change of status or change of conditions relating to an existing temporary residence visa, where the foreigner is the holder of a visitor’s visa or medical-treatment visa.
Such foreigners are required to return to their countries of origin or of permanent residence in order to submit an application for an appropriate temporary residence visa.
Exceptions are for foreigner(s) who:
- Is in need of lifesaving medical treatment;
- Is required to remain in the Republic in order to testify as a state witness in a criminal court case;
- Is the spouse/dependent child of a work visa holder who wishes to apply for a work/study visas.
All other categories of issued/valid visas should be extended/renewed in South Africa at least 60 days prior to the expiry of the visa by submitting an application online www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica. There is a payable fee when applying for an extension/change of category or conditions of a temporary residence visa. This process must be done in South Africa.
If the validity of the visa has lapsed, the Embassy will be unable to issue a new visa, without receiving a police clearance from South Africa.
N.B.: if you arrive at your appointment/interview without the necessary documents, the consular officer will request you to set up a new appointment. Your application cannot be processed without the correct supporting documents.
