TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements to and from the conference.  All costs incurred will be for your own account. 

INTERNATIONAL DELEGATES

NB!! ALL VISITORS (irrespective of whether they need a visa or not) MUST have 2 adjacent blank pages in their passports, which must be valid for 6 months after their departure from South Africa. These pages must be entitled “Visas”. (Note that some passports have an “Endorsement” page, often towards the end, which is not valid for this purpose). This requirement is strictly enforced.

Visitors’ visas are required for international travellers who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.

Requirements for visitors’ visas differ from country to country (click here so see which countries are currently exempt) and the requirements are subject to change.  As each application is treated as an individual case, you should make enquiries with your nearest South African mission or consulate abroad or any office of the Department of Home Affairs to see whether or not you are required to apply for a visa.

Remember that there is a fee charged for issuing a visa, and you should check the cost with the office as well, as this is updated annually.  The fee is payable in different currencies in different countries.

As of 1 June 2015, when parents are travelling with a child, such parents must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child. Provision is also made for one parent travelling with a child and where one parent or both parents are deceased or the child is travelling with a relative or another person. Other requirements are listed below and detailed in the Immigration Regulations, 2014.  Please click here for more information. 

  • Visas for people attending a conference in South Africa
  • Normal procedures must be followed for applying for a visitor’s visa (Form BI-84) click here to download form
  • The application for a visa must be supported by a letter of invitation for the conference
  • The conference organizer will notify the Department of Home Affairs that the conference is taking place - giving all the relevant details and a list of delegates, if possible
  • The Department of Home Affairs will then notify all South Africa representatives abroad, authorising them to issue visas to the delegates providing that
  • Nothing detrimental is known about the delegate, and that
  • All visitor visa requirements are met

All delegates from outside Africa are encouraged to take an inter-continental flight directly into Cape Town or Johannesburg on well-known carriers or their alliance partners.

Important documents

Make two copies of all your important documents, like passports. Take one with you, in a different bag to the original, and leave one at home with a responsible, easily reachable person. Try to memorise all your important numbers - passport numbers, credit card numbers, etc – or store them securely (some smartphones have “password keeper” applications). If you lose your bag, this could be an enormous help.

 ENTRY VISAS

Please contact the SA Embassy or High Commission in your country or region.  For contact details of SA Missions, visit the South African Department of Foreign Affairs website at http://www.dfa.gov.za/
Please ensure that there is more than 5 empty pages in your passport before applying for a visa to South Africa.

INSURANCE

The congress organisers cannot accept liability for personal injuries sustained, or for loss of, or damage to, property belonging to congress participants (or their accompanying persons), either during or as a result of the congress.  Please check the validity of your own insurance.  Also, please check with your local embassy if you require visas to enter South Africa.