How to apply for a volunteer South African visa!

Hey everyone!

So I thought it would be a good idea to write a post about how to apply for a South African visa. From my own experience, the South African Embassy’s website is too brief which means you will find yourself making many trips to the Embassy! If you live in London than it’s not a problem but, if like me, it costs you £20 a time, it helps to have everything done correctly the first time round J They are also very hard to get hold of on the phone so hopefully the information below can help answer any questions you might have.

 It is important to note that you don’t actually need a visa if you going to South Africa for a period of 3 months or less. You can also extend your visa after three months for a further three months for a small fee. However if you are planning on staying longer than that (like me) you will need an official visa.

Due to the nature of my stay, I applied for a Volunteers visa. Below is a list taken from the Embassy’s website (http://southafricahouseuk.com/) of all the documents you need to supply in order to qualify for a volunteers visa. Next to each document, I have added more information (where possible and necessary) to help make sure you know exactly what it is and what you need to do:

#	Document required (taken from website)	Extra information from me
1	Form BI-84 to be fully completed in black ink	This form is straight forward and can be downloaded from this link: http://southafricahouseuk.com/documents/bi84.pdf
2	Two passport size photographs. See guidelines on Passport & ID Photograph Specifications	You can get these done in all photo booths.
3	A valid passport in respect of each applicant. The passport must be valid for no less than 30 days after expiry of the intended stay and must contain two blank pages for endorsements.	The visa actually takes up a whole page therefore they need at least one blank page (not sure why they say two).
4	A statement confirming the purpose and duration of the visit.	This needs to be written by the organisation you are going to do charity work in. It also needs to have their header at the top and be address to you (not the embassy).  As well as the duration of the visit, it needs to include both your start and end date and state that the organisation will provide food and accommodation. Finally, it needs to be signed by the organisation.
5	Include a yellow fever vaccination certificate if travelled or intends travelling from or through a yellow fever endemic area. Provided that the certificate shall not be required where that person travelled or intends travelling in direct transit through such area or where an application is made in the Republic.	This depends on your travelling history. Three years ago, I travelled to Gambia which was a yellow fever endemic area hence why I had to have one. Although it was not compulsory to have the vaccine done to enter South Africa when I left, these things do change therefore it may be worth checking with your nurse/doctor.
6	If a minor child subject to guardianship or custody is accompanying the applicant or joining the applicant in South Africa, then proof of guardianship and custody is required. In the case of an unaccompanied minor, consent from the guardian is required.	Not applicable to me so I have no extra information unfortunately.
7	Proof of sufficient financial means.	This can either be bank statements or pays slips of three consecutive months.  By sufficient means, they are referring to you having enough money to live on whilst in South Africa.
8	In the case of sojourn not exceeding 12 months, submission of proof of a valid return air ticket.  A person who is unable to comply with the requirement to submit proof of a valid return ticket may be required to make a deposit; provided that such deposit shall be refunded to the depositor after the final departure of the applicant or after a permit contemplated in section 25 of the Act has been issued to the applicant; provided further that the payment of the deposit may be effected by means of a bank guaranteed cheque or credit card at places where such facility exists.	This is one of two options. If you’re not sure when you want to return home, you may pay £600 to the deposit instead of buying a return ticket (see 18). This is what I had originally planned to do but I spoke to a previous volunteer who opted for the deposit option and she unfortunately never received her deposit back! For this reason I decided to buy my return ticket.
9	A marriage certificate in the case of a married applicant.	Not applicable to me so I have no extra information unfortunately although this appears to be very straight forward.
10	Proof of relationship as contemplated in regulation 3.	Not applicable to me so I have no extra information unfortunately although this appears to be very straight forward.
11	A death certificate in the case of a widowed applicant.	Not applicable to me so I have no extra information unfortunately although this appears to be very straight forward.
12	A decree of divorce in the case of a divorced applicant; or  Proof of legal separation in the case of a separated applicant. An affidavit, substantially corresponding to Form 12 contained in Annexure A, confirming any spousal relationship of the applicant and the particulars of any children born of such relationship	Not applicable to me so I have no extra information unfortunately although this appears to be very straight forward.
13	A police clearance certificate. “Police Clearance Certificate” means a certificate issued by the police or security authority in each country where the relevant applicant resided for 12 months or longer since having attained the age of 18 years, in respect of criminal records or the character of the applicant, which certificate shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission'	This is now known as Subject Access. All you need to is fill in a form (download here: http://content.met.police.uk/Article/Making-a-subject-access-request/1400005855548/1400005855548) and post it along with a cheque of £10 to the address given on the form. This can take a while so I would suggest getting the process started 6 months before your leaving date.
14	Medical Report in respect of each applicant. A “Medical Report” means a report by a medical practitioner with regard to an applicant’s general state of health, detailing any medical condition he or she suffers from, which report shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission.	This can be done by your doctor and may incur a small cost.
15	Radiological report in respect of each applicant (not required in respect of children under the age of 12 years or pregnant women). A “Radiological Report” means a report by a radiologist certifying that the applicant has been examined and that no signs of active pulmonary tuberculosis could be detected which report shall not be older than six months at the time of its submission.	In order to get the report, you first need to get an X-ray of your chest done. This is then followed up with a report of the X-Ray. As my local doctor didn’t provide the service, they had to refer me to a clinic/hospital. Here you will have to pay for the X-Ray (not cheap!) and sometimes the referral.
16	Unabridged birth certificate.	Please note that the Embassy states that if documents issued are in a foreign language must be officially translated to English by a sworn translator.
17	Proof of non-remunerative voluntary or charitable activities to be undertaken.	The statement (4) does this.
18	A deposit of £600-00 (which is subject to change) in lieu of a return ticket will be requested. Only cheques, cash or postal orders are acceptable. Cheques and postal orders should be made payable to South African High Commission The deposit may be claimed back only once the applicant has left South Africa or if he/she has acquired permanent residence in South Africa	As explained above (8), there is a risk of not getting your deposit back. However if you would rather go for this option, make sure to inform yourself fully! I think there might be another form to fill, which isn’t mentioned on the website therefore it might be worth giving them a call. Their number for Home Affairs is: +44 (0) 20 7925 8900 but it states on the website to only call between 15:00 – 17:00 however no one ever came to the phone so I just called throughout the day until I eventually got through!

Hope you have found the above useful! If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to comment below or send me an email at isabel@cwgrain.com

Until next time...

Isabel x