The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 11, 2010 through July 11, 2010 in nine cities across South Africa, including Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Pretoria, Rustenburg, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane, and Nelspruit. Foreign nationals planning to attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa should determine if a visa is required for their visit as soon as possible.
Citizens of certain countries, including the United States and United Kingdom, may be exempt from a visa requirement if entering South Africa for tourism or limited business purposes for a maximum period of stay of 90 days or less. For more information regarding who is eligible for the visa exemption, please visit http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/homeaffairs/visaexempt.htm. General information regarding entry requirements and the application process for individuals requiring a visa is provided below.
When entering South Africa, a foreign national’s passport must be valid for a minimum period of 30 days beyond the intended stay in the country. The foreign national must also have two blank pages in his or her passport for the entry stamp. A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate may also be required for a foreign national arriving from an infected Yellow Fever country. For a list of Yellow Fever countries and vaccination requirements, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at http://www.cdc.gov/.
Generally, the following documents are needed for a visitor’s permit application:
Please note that documents required may vary based on the applicant’s background, specific travel plans, and nationality. For more information regarding visa requirements, application and consular procedures, please visit the South African Embassy website at http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/homeaffairs/visitorsvisa.htm#visas. Processing times are currently estimated at 5 working days from the date the application is filed. We recommend that applications be filed as soon as possible to avoid delays that may occur due to increased demand related to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
As the proud host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, South Africa will be welcoming many foreign nationals to the country in June and July. However, immigration officials intend to be vigilant throughout the World Cup to ensure that foreign nationals do not overstay their visas and do not engage in unauthorized employment. Foreign nationals intending to travel to South Africa during this period should plan now to ensure timely filing of visa applications if required and to secure all documentation required for entry into the country.
Please contact your designated Gibney representative if you have any questions about the information contained in this alert, or email immigrationalerts@gibney.com.
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This immigration article is provided as general information for clients and friends of Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP. It does not constitute, and should not be construed as, legal advice. The contents of this article may be considered attorney advertising in some states.