FAQ & Visa Tips

Visa FAQ and other Travel Tips:

Most international borders have further increased their security measures during and after the Global Pandemic. We have therefore assembled practical entry FAQ, clearance regulations & travel tips. For more info, please inquire within.

Supply Chain Process

The supply chain process for visa applications involves various steps and multiple parties, including the applicant, visa service providers, and the relevant consular or immigration authorities. The specific process and time spent may vary depending on the country issuing the visa, the applicant’s nationality, and the type of visa required.

In general, the process can be broken down into the following steps:

1. Research

Our visa specialists constantly research the visa requirements and entry regulations for each country, including the type of visa needed, the necessary documentation, and the application process. This can involve visiting the country’s embassy or consulate website or contacting them directly to obtain accurate information.

2. Application preparation

The applicant must gather the required documents, which may include a valid passport, passport-sized photos, proof of financial support, a travel itinerary, and other supporting documents depending on the visa type (e.g., employment, tourism, or study visas). The applicant may also need to fill out a visa application form, either online or in paper format. This is then collated by the visa agents to ensure successful submission the first time around. Consulate and Embassies reserve the right to request additional documents.

3. Visa service providers (optional)

Some applicants may choose to use a visa service provider to assist with the application process. Visas Zone are specialists in their field and can help with document preparation, form completion, and submission of the application to the appropriate consular or immigration authorities.

4. Submission

Visas Zone submits the completed application package to the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application centre. In some cases, online submission and meet-and-greet services may be available. It is best to discuss the options available to you with your Visa Consultant.

5. Appointment and biometrics (if required)

Some countries require visa applicants to attend an appointment at the embassy, consulate, or visa application centre to provide biometrics (e.g., fingerprints and photographs) and/or participate in an interview. (Visas Zone meet and greet services) The appointment date and time will typically be scheduled before or after the application is submitted, depending on the Consulate or High Commission and will be communitated well in advance.

6. Processing

The consular or immigration authorities review the submitted application and make a decision on whether to approve or reject the visa request. The processing time can vary widely depending on factors like the applicant’s nationality, the destination country, the type of visa, and the specific consular or immigration office handling the application. It may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, or even months in some cases. Processing times are freely available on the Visas Zone website but are subject to change without prior notice.

7. Decision and visa issuance

If the visa application is approved, the consular or immigration authorities will issue the visa, which may be a sticker affixed to the applicant’s passport or an electronic visa (e-visa) sent via email. If the application is rejected, the applicant may receive an explanation for the decision and information on any appeals process if available.

8. Travel

Once the visa is issued, the applicant can proceed with their travel plans, ensuring they adhere to the entry requirements and conditions of the visa.

It’s important to note that these steps are a general overview of the supply chain process for visa applications, and specific requirements and timeframes may vary depending on the situation. To ensure a smooth application process, it’s recommended that applicants start researching and preparing well in advance of their intended travel date. Also note, the above steps do not include urgent requests and this must be discussed and quoted prior to submission.

FAQ & Visa processing tips:

• Check dates, names, and passport numbers on your visa before departing.
• Remember to sign your visa application form when submitting it to any of our offices.
• Give yourself sufficient time to obtain a visa before departure.
• Make sure you submit the correct requirements to obtain a visa.
• Due to Covid, all Consulate and Lodgement Centres appointments are delayed as most staff are working on short-time. Business operating hours are also reduced across the board.
• Also, expect reduced validity on all visas until the Global lockdown has been finalized.
• Travel documents consume more time than one would think. Find out exactly what you need for your next trip and give yourself sufficient time – www.visaszone.co.za

Air ticket and passport:

• Check your passport has not expired and will not expire during your trip.
• Apply for a second passport if travelling frequently.
• Keep copies of your passport and other travel documents in case they are lost or stolen.
• Keep copies of your travel documents in a safe place or stored in a digital cloud service.
• Most visa applications do not require confirmed tickets, only pay and issue tickets when the visa is issued.

Submit a contact form to find out if you need a visa

Also, check out our Travel Regulations Zone platform. It provides helpful information and improves safety whilst travelling during a pandemic:

Health Regulations & Vaccination Certificates, including Covid-19:

For your safety, we recommend all travelers be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (Corona-Virus). Some countries require evidence (in the form of a handwritten certificate OR digital Covid app) that you have had the appropriate vaccinations before entering a country. Proof of a negative PCR test may be required to enter certain countries. Check with your doctor, bearing in mind that many vaccinations must be administered well before travelling, generally two weeks before the arrival date. Again, The Visas Zone Travel Regulations platform provides accurate information.

It also includes some useful  features:

• Customs, Currency and Airport Tax information
• Send to travellers – A link to the personalized advice page can be sent to the traveller.
• Default options – Define your default values on the passport, visa and health enquiry page.

Travel insurance:

Ensure you have sufficient travel insurance should you be in an accident or fall ill with Covid-19. All travelers are advised to educate themselves whilst travelling during a Pandemic. Follow our newsletters for updated Travel News.

Minors:

• All minors under the age of 18 years old travelling outbound from South Africa (Citizens and Foreigners) require an Unabridged Birth Certificate.
• Currently, children do not need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to enter most countries.
• The child will need to have an Unabridged Birth Certificate, as well as the following: South African Travellers (If one parent is travelling with a child/children)
• Affidavit granting consent from the other parent (no longer than three months before the intended travel date) or;
• A court order granting the parent full parental responsibilities or legal guardianship of the child or;
• A death certificate of the other parent.
• South African and Foreign National Travelers (If a child is travelling without their parents)

The following is required:

• Proof of consent from both of the child’s parents or legal guardians;
• Copies of the Identity Documents or passports of the parents or legal guardians;
• Letter from the person receiving them, including a copy of the host’s ID/ passport.
• If only one parent gives consent, they need to supply the following documents additionally:
  • A court order grants the parent or legal guardian full parental responsibilities and rights regarding the child.
    The contact details of the parent or legal guardian.

Who is exempt?

The law does not apply to children travelling domestically, i.e. between Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Other Possible Entry Requirements:

• Proof of access to sufficient funds (if you carry a credit card, it is advisable to bring a statement proving your credit limit.
• Return or onward ticket.
  Proof of accommodation booked for at least the first night.
• International Travel insurance (Obtainable from your travel agent or your Credit Card company if the airline ticket is purchased through this method)
• Additional Official Documents to be kept on your person:
  • Identification – Some countries require travelers to always carry identification, including proof of your immigration status in the country.
  • Driver’s License – Depending on where you travel, you may require only your country’s driver’s license to drive or rent a vehicle. However, some countries require an international driving license.