1.  Carry  extra  photocopies  of  your  passport  (separate  from  the  passport).

2.  Do  not  pack  medicines,  money  or  other  valuables  in  your  check-in  suitcase.  Always  pack these  items  in  your  carry-on  bag.  All  liquids,  gels  and  aerosols  must  be  in  three-ounce  or smaller  containers.  Larger  containers     that  are  half-full  or  toothpaste  tubes  rolled  up  are  not allowed.  Each  container  must  be  three  ounces  or  smaller.  There  are  exceptions  to  this rule,  such  as  baby  formula,  prescriptions  and  over-the-counter  medications,  etc.  Please check  the  website  for  full  information:  www.tsa.gov

3.  Make  a  photocopy  of  the  credit  cards  that  you  take  along.

4.  If  possible,  reconfirm  your  return  flight  before  departure  from  Africa.  This  will  also  alert  you to  any  flight  time  changes.

5.  Check  that  luggage  stickers  Dut  on  by  the  airline  show  the  proper  cities  and  final destination.

6.  Obtain  foreign  exchange  currency  when  you  arrive  in  Africa.  Save  the  exchange  receipt you  receive  in  case  you  want  to  change  any  funds  back  to  USD.

7.  DO  NOT  LEAVE  LUGGAGE  UNATTENDED  ANYWHERE!

8.  We  recommend  renting  a  phone  for  your  visit  to  South  Africa  or  other  southern  Africa countries.  You  can  do  this  in  the  Johannesport  airport.

9.  Do  not  travel  without  health  insurance.  We  have  provided  a  form  to  obtain  it  at  a  very reasonable  cost.

IMPORTANT NEW RULE WHEN TRAVELLING TO SOUTH AFRICA W WITH A MINOR (Under 19 years)

The South African government has announced that the new regulations pertaining to the travel of children will be enforced beginning June 1, 2015. Those new requirements are discussed in detail below. Travelers are encouraged to obtain birth certificates, parental consent affidavits, and other documentation well in advance of this deadline. All travelers should visit the South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website and check the latest requirements with the nearest South African embassy or consulate before traveling. If traveling by air, you may also wish to consult your airline.

Rules for Children – To be enforced on 01 June 2015. See official document http://www.dha.gov.za/files/Brochures/Immigrationleaflet.pdf

These rules apply to children who are entering or departing South Africa. Therefore, the required documents should be retained in all circumstances throughout the stay of the child in South Africa.

The South African regulations use the term “unabridged birth certificate.” The exact contents of unabridged birth certificate vary among the different jurisdictions that issue birth certificates (countries, states, counties, cities, etc.), but the key distinction between an “abridged” and “unabridged” birth certificate is that an unabridged birth certificate identifies the parents of the child.  All documents must be original or copies certified as a true copy of the original by a commissioner of oaths or the equivalent commissioning authority.

• Where BOTH parents are traveling with a child, parents must produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child.

• In the case of ONE parent traveling with a child, he or she must carry an unabridged birth certificate and:

(i) Consent in the form of an affidavit (issued no earlier than 3 months prior to travel dates) from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate of the child authorizing him or her to enter into or depart from South Africa with the child he or she is traveling with (see sample affidavit of consent);

(ii) Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child;

(iii) A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if he or she is the parent or legal guardian of the child; or

(iv) Where applicable, a death certificate of the other parent registered as a parent of the child on the birth certificate,

• Where a person is traveling with a child who is NOT his or her biological child, he or she must produce:

(i) A copy of the unabridged birth certificate of the child;

(ii) An affidavit (issued no earlier than 3 months prior to travel dates) from the parents or legal guardian of the child confirming that he or she has permission to travel with the child (see sample affidavit of consent); 

(iii) Copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child;  

(iv) The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child,

(Note: Where the parents of the child are both deceased, and the child is traveling with a relative or another person related to the child or the child’s parents, the South African authorities have the discretion to approve such a person to enter or depart South Africa with the child.)

• An unaccompanied minor must produce:

(i) Proof of consent from one or both his or her parents or legal guardian, as the case may be, in the form of a letter or affidavit (issued no earlier than 3 months prior to travel dates) for the child to travel into or depart from South Africa.  In the case where one parent provides proof of consent, that parent must also provide a copy of a court order issued to him or her in terms of which he or she has been granted full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child (see sample affidavit of consent); 

(ii) A letter from the person which is to receive the child in South Africa, containing his or her residential address and contact details where the child will be residing;

(iii) A copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in the South Africa; and

(iv) The contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the child. 

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT US  WITH QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS!