I received this from my Vanessa at Eyes on Africa just the other day - apologies if this info has already been posted.

&quot; Please be advised that according to Home Affairs Officials at the airport, as from 1st September 2008, the new minimum passport entry requirement for any travelers entering South Africa is a minimum of <u><b>six blank pages</b> in their passport (including the two endorsement pages in US passports).</u> (my formatting - liz)

This means six visa pages for all non US passport holders and four visa pages plus the two endorsement pages for all US passport holders.

We have also been advised that if a guest holding a US passport should be traveling to more than four African countries via RSA, then the traveler must have a minimum of one blank visa page for each country to be visited plus one extra blank visa page excluding the endorsement pages in US passports. i.e. a visitor holding a US passport who is visiting five countries via RSA must have a minimum of six blank visa pages on arrival. (Eight blank pages in all including the endorsement pages).&quot;

Whew! - I was paging through our passports, counting pages. Looks like we will be OK, hope everyone else is.

Do they have to be consecutive pages? I read somewhere that a few countries require at least 2 consecutive pages. Unfortunately I'm not going to SA anytime soon, but I will go someday so I'm just curious. Thanks for the info.

No they do not have to be consecutive pages. You can send your passport in for additional pages and it's free. It took maybe 2 at most 3 weeks when I did it this summer.

I don't think that applies to USA tourists.

http://tinyurl.com/44mdge

Hmm. None of that makes any sense to me. I'd love to see it substantiated in writing. Although it wouldn't be surprising if it was not up-to-date, that's not what the DHA website still says:

www.dha.gov.za/visa_detail.asp#req

Why should there be a need for 6 pages for a single visit in and out of S.A.?! And whether or not there is also going to be travel to other African countries (the OP says &quot;ALSO been advised&quot is surely of no concern to S.A. Immigration. There is not a United States of Africa!

Nonsense:
Here is the language from the consul generals website:
&quot;Please note that foreigners who wish to visit South Africa must have a passport valid for 30 more days after the intended return date from South Africa. The passport must contain at least two unused visa pages for endorsement purposes. The unused visa page needed for endorsement is separate from pages reserved for observations and amendments&quot;

hmm - you guys seem to be right - although if what Vanessa says is reversed - 2 blank pages and 4 endorsement pages, it comes out to be 6 pages. The following is from the US State Dept (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_p.../cis_1008.html) website:

&quot;We recommend the passports of all travelers to South Africa contain at least two completely blank (unstamped) visa pages each time entry is sought. These pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages (as many as four) at the back of the passport. While South African statutes require one, completely blank visa page, this rule has been applied inconsistently by South African immigration officials. In addition, any trip to a neighboring country would necessitate another blank page upon return. Travelers lacking adequate blank pages in the passport may be refused entry into South Africa, fined, and returned to their point of origin at the traveler’s expense. South African authorities have denied the diplomatic missions access to assist in these cases. As a general precaution, all travelers are advised to carry a photocopy of the photo/bio information page of their passport and keep it in a location separate from the passport.&quot;

a google search brought up some conflicting info. Luckily, we all have 6 blank pages - not consecutive, but, oh well - as well as the endorsement pages, since our passports are fairly new, so whatever happens, we should be OK. But, I think it's interesting that there is so much different info out there, including from some official SA websites.

What this means is - you must have the 2 blank VISA pages - not to be confused with the (4)ENDORSEMENT pages at the back of your passport. Just because you have 2 blank pages, doesn't mean they are VISA pages. This was the explanation given to us. If you read the above carefully - this is how I interpret it as well.

Two days before departure I panicked because I suddenly realized we were entering South Africa TWICE, once for our weeklong stay and then again for an overnight en route to Kenya.

So I got a next-day appointment at the Passport Office (and paid $60 expedited services fee) to have more pages put in my passport. In South Africa they put in just one visa, taking up a half page, then just stamped us in and out, using the rest of that page and 1/4 of another in total.

I had allowed a page per country otherwise; Zimbabwe and Kenya used them. Rwanda juts put stamps on already partially filled pages.

I would have WORRIED if I didn't have the extra pages because of the wording (our TA sent us the State Dept warning that MOmliz included)...but just wanted to say it wasn't even close to being an issue.

The websites are not up to date. Vanessa's info is accurate. These rules are new as of 1 week ago.

One of the agents who books through us has a client who traveled 2 weeks ago (before the new rule changed to 6 pages) and was held up in transit 3 days ago because he did not have the new requisite number of pages.

They nearly deported him and never did let him pass through the airport. Fortunately, he had a flight out the next morning.

We did warn him that he should probably be safe and add pages before he left, but he decided he didn't need to.

Do not take this lightly if you are headed to RSA.

James

This is what we include with our pretour info to our clients at present:

Please be advised that according to Home Affairs Officials at the airport, as from 1st September 2008, the new minimum passport entry requirement for any travelers entering South Africa is a minimum of six blank pages in their passport (including the two endorsement pages in US passports)

This means six visa pages for all non US passport holders and four visa pages plus the two endorsement pages for all US passport holders.

We have also been advised that if a guest holding a US passport should be traveling to more than four African countries via RSA, then the traveler must have a minimum of one blank visa page for each country to be visited plus one extra blank visa page excluding the endorsement pages in US passports. i.e. a visitor holding a US passport who is visiting five countries via RSA must have a minimum of six blank visa pages on arrival. (Eight blank pages in all including the endorsement pages).

J

Sound crazy and unbelievable?

I could not agree more.

Are they enforcing it?

Yes.

i did a bit of research and found out that europeans need to have 2 pages available!

we touch down in jnb on 29 oct 08. after return i might be a bit wiser ;-)

div

I checked with the consul in your home city James, and was reassured that the requirement had not changed. Two blank pages facing each other in a passport vaild for at least thirty days, blah blah.
I was directed to their website and particularly this page for further details.
http://www.southafrica-newyork.net/h...sitorsvisa.htm

For those that are now hitting the panic button, the Ambassador Magaqa suggest you call her with your concerns.

Not surprising...

One hand doesn't know what the other is doing.

I checked out the link (I am in Chicago BTW) and all I can say is, if visitors are going by information contained in the website you post above and they do not have the minimum # of pages per my post, then they will be in for a not-so-fun arrival in JNB or CPT.

I am sure there are PLENTY of supposedly authoritative websites out there that are now in need of update for this information.

In our case, our client was held in transit over night, the airline was fined for letting him on the plane, etc, etc. No bueno.

Thought I would mention that I have a client who has had the same problem with this already – travelling in from Kenya and Tanzania to South Africa, with only two blank pages left. He had problems at immigration in South Africa.

James and Vanessa are correct:
Passport requirements at the South Africa passport control has become very strict with regards to passport requirements. There have been instances of visitors being deported due to non-compliance. Passports MUST be valid for at least six months after your return home date. I recommend a validity of nine months to prevent any problems in this regard. From 1st September 2008, the new minimum passport entry requirement for any travelers entering South Africa is a minimum of six blank pages in their passport (including the two endorsement pages in US passports) - This means six visa pages for all non US passport holders and four visa pages plus the two endorsement pages for all US passport holders. In addition, if a guest holding a US passport should be traveling to more than 4 African countries via RSA, then the traveler must have a minimum of one blank visa page for each country to be visited plus one extra blank visa page excl. the endorsement pages in US passports. i.e. a visitor holding a US passport who is visiting five countries via RSA must have a minimum of six blank visa pages on arrival. (Eight blank pages in all including the endorsement pages).

I am questioning this with the Home Affairs Department – as no official notice has been sent out –. All they are telling me at this time is that if a client is visiting East Africa before he visits SA, he should have the four pages. I have questioned why my client was held in transit then and have put through a report. They are vague to say the least.

As James says ... YES ... they are enforcing this.

I don't get it, personally? Don't they want any visitors? Why are they denying entry to people who will spend money in their country. Can anyone explain this to me? What's in it for them? Ridiculous ... YES!!!!

Gees, this is ridiculous. I have also checked with SAA in the US ( I travel soon and do not have the additional pages) as they are they are penalised if they allow travllers to board with the incorrect documents. I was told the same story, two blank pages blah blah...

Which leads me to believe that the officials at the immigration check point are suggesting a donation for the additional pages to be overlooked.

May I suggest that all whom are preparing to enter the country and whom only have 2 pages and not the suggested six, contact the consul general to obtain a note of either waiver or ruling to avoid a situation on arrival.


There is just no published language specifying the six pages.

Hi Mkhonzo,

We have also done some checking, including calling the airport and checking there with Home Affairs and everyone gave us the same story that you have been given..

..that is, only 2 pages required (as has been the case in recent past until, supposedly on 01 September 2008).

It certainly is not making my job any easier and I am still playing it on the safe side when I recommend to my guests, but at this point there seems to be something untoward going on at O.R. Tambo's immigration.

Not sure what to tell you, other than be prepared to make your case if you get hassled.

I assume you do have at least 2 blank pages and are not visiting any countries other than RSA?

Good luck and I wish I could provide more help.

James

Can anyone clarify - is it definitely 6 pages for Uk citizens? or is it 3 pages = 6 sides, I've just seen this post and we leave on Sunday! I have 4 pages = 8 sides consecutive with another 2 sides - elsewhere !!