Transit Visas for South Africa Undesirable-Overstay Tourists

I received an undesirable status for overstaying a SA visa while hospitalized for injuries sustained in Lesotho. I had to cross into SA from Lesotho. Now I am banned entry into SA until Feb 2016 and though I have submitted a waiver request to remove the undesirable status, I hear from some the waiver request may take 4-5 months or even take longer than the time of banishment.

I have a pre-paid safari planned in October in which I need to fly through Johannesburg to get to Botswana. The Jburg border control requires tourists to pass through SA immigration even when simply changing planes. 1) Will SA grant me "transit" access if I don't leave the airport? 2) Will SA allow me to spend a night in the airport as the layover is 12 hours>

Thanks for passing on any info.

Best Answer

The South Africa High Commission website states that you only need a transit visa through SA if you do not go through a port of entry (such as a land border). An airport is a port of entry. Thus, you should not need a transit visa to transfer in the airport, and you should not have to go through immigration.

Passport holders who want to transit a South African port of entry enroute to any other country, may do so without the need to apply for a transit visa.

Transit Visas are NOT issued at South African ports of entry.

I couldn't find anything official regarding sleeping in the airport, however, this blog post makes it seem fairly reasonable for you to stay there for 12 hours.

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What happens if you overstay your tourist visa in South Africa?

A South Africa visa overstay of fewer than 30 days will mean that travelers will be banned for a period of 12 months. In addition, they will also be given the status of \u201cundesirable person\u201d. In the event that a traveler overstays their visa for more than 30 days, the ban period will be at least 5 years.

How can I fix an overstayed visa in South Africa?

South Africa overstay appeal So for the appeal, visitors must approach the "Department of Home Affair." If anyone goes through with the title of an undesirable person or banned due to overstaying, they can appeal within 10 days. Approximately 48 hours will be taken by the"Department of Home Affairs" to hear the appeal.

How much is the fine for overstaying in South Africa?

Immigration officials have been instructed to fine any foreigner who has overstayed and as mentioned fines are ranging between R 2,500.00 to R 3,000.00 for overstaying. If you are planning to spend an extra few days in South Africa, rather do the necessary work and avoid being illegal in South Africa.

Can I transit through South Africa without a visa?

Travellers using land ports of entry to transit through South Africa will have to apply for a port of entry visa. Deportees transiting must be in possession of transit visas and at all times must be escorted failing which they will be returned to the airline that conveyed them for removal from the Republic.

SA reinstates transit visas

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