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Preparation for Travel Preparation is the key to a successful trip. By planning your holiday/visit before you leave, you minimize the chances of things going wrong. Be Prepared Before you board an airplane, take the time to learn about the political, cultural and economic environment of your destination. Learn at least a few key phrases in the country's language. Even a modest command of the local language will go a long way. When you are traveling, the laws of the country you are visiting apply to you too. Never assume that because you are a South African citizen, you are immune to foreign laws. In fact as soon as you land in the country you are visiting, you are subject to the country's laws, rules and regulations. Some countries experience ongoing wars, insurgencies or sporadic unrest. Find out timeously if your destination is known to be dangerous. Check with the Department of Foreign Affairs before you leave should you not be able to find information elsewhere. If you are abroad, contact the nearest South African mission and ensure that you have their contact details at hand. Do You Have Your Passport? Your passport together with your identity document is the best proof of your South African citizenship. You and all family members should have a valid passport if you plan to travel outside South Africa. If you have any questions about passports, you can either contact the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria at telephone (12) 314-8911 or any regional office of the Department of Home Affairs. Passport application forms are available at all offices of the Department of Home Affairs countrywide and at South African missions abroad. If your passport is due to expire within the next six months, check with the embassy or consulate of your country of destination in South Africa for its rules and restrictions regarding passport validity and expiration. Some countries will not allow you entry if your passport is within six months of expiry. Before you leave on your trip, be sure to have with you information on whom to contact in case of accident or death. This will help us notify your relatives or friends should an emergency arise. Make a photocopy of your passport's identification page and keep it separate from the original when you travel. For added security, leave a photocopy of your passport with a relative or friend at home. If your passport is lost or stolen while you are travelling, contact the nearest South African mission immediately for a temporary passport/emergency travel document after reporting the loss or theft to the local police. Ensure that you get a copy of the police report . Before a passport can be issued, you must:
A South African passport at all times remains the property of the Government of South Africa and may be used only by the person to whom it has been issued. Selling a passport or permitting any other individual or agency to use the passport may lead to criminal prosecution and is cause for revocation of the passport and refusal of future passport services. A South African passport should only, and always be in the possession of the person to whom it was issued. Registration of South African Citizens Abroad South African citizens who will be abroad for any length of time, are encouraged to register with the nearest South African Embassy, Consulate, Liaison Office or Honorary Consulate. Registration forms are available at the missions. Please note that the completion of the registration form is voluntary. However, we would like to stress that all information contained in the form is for the sole use of the South African mission. Hence the information provided will be handled strictly confidential by missions and will not be divulged to other persons or institutions. By registering, missions are assisted in determining how many citizens are abroad in a city, town or region in a particular country. It assists missions plan in an event of an evacuation, natural disaster, etc. Furthermore, your contact details will be available in case of emergency. It is recommended that a separate form be completed for children over 16 years of age. Please do not forward your pass with the registration form. Forms could either be posted or e-mailed to the nearest South African mission. Please inform the mission on your intended permanent departure from the country and request that your name be removed from the registration list. Medical Insurance It is strongly recommended that you take out medical insurance when deciding on travel abroad. The medical insurance should cover all hospitalisation and medication costs as well as for a possible medical evacuation. Your travel agent will be able to advice you on the most effective, yet economical package. Medical costs abroad, especially where foreigners are concerned who do not have medical insurance, can be astronomical. In instances medical treatment can be withheld if a person has no proof of funds or medical insurance. Yellow Fever Requirements Immunisation for yellow fever is a requirement for persons whose journeys start or entail passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America. According to International health regulations, a valid yellow fever certificate is required from all passengers older than one year coming from infected areas. The countries concerned are listed hereunder. This health requirement applies to all persons, those who are subject to South African visa control and those who are exempt thereof. Visas will not be issued to persons who have not been vaccinated against yellow fever as required. Thus a yellow fever vaccination is a prerequisite for obtaining a South African visa. Yellow fever certificates are valid for a period of 10 years commencing 10 days after the date of Immunisation or, in the case of re-Immunisation, within such period of 10 years, from the date of that re-Immunisation. According to the Department of Health, persons arriving without a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate will either be:
At ports of entry where no Port Health Officers are based, persons will be refused entry into the Republic of South Africa. These precautionary measures will be strictly enforced by the Department of Health to protect its residents in the RSA from this virus. For ease of reference the Yellow Fever Endemic Areas are:
Do Not Engage in Illegal Activities Abroad! South Africans traveling abroad are strongly advised to take care not to become involved in activities which may be, or are, illegal in foreign countries. Please remember, once you leave South Africa, you are not protected by South African laws and constitutional rights. If you are arrested abroad, the South African Government cannot get you out of prison or demand your release. At most, Government can intercede with local authorities to try and ensure that your rights under the laws of the country in which you were arrested are fully observed. It can also attempt to ensure that you are treated humanely, i.e. according to those international agreements to which the country in which you have been arrested, has acceded. The Government of South Africa has not entered into prisoner exchange agreements with other countries. Therefore, should you be imprisoned, you will have to serve your sentence in the foreign prison until your release. Please note that the South African Government views crimes, particularly those involving abuse of women and children, the traffic in humans, illegal drugs, mercenary activities and traffic in small arms, in a most serious light. Know the country you are traveling to, read about its laws, rules and regulations and respect them. Note: Possessing or smuggling drugs is a criminal offence in almost all countries. Penalties are harsh and can lead to a lifetime imprisonment or even the death penalty. Do not carry parcels, baggage or any items that you have not packed personally. Do not offer to collect parcels, letters, documents, etc on behalf of other persons.
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