Follow this guide to help you plan your trip when traveling to South Africa with children.
When the South African government introduces the South Africa tourist visa online, an electronic visa that eliminates the need to apply for a visa at an embassy or consulate, travelling to South Africa will become considerably easier.
Despite the fact that the South Africa eVisa application will make acquiring a tourist visa in the country easier, it will still be essential to meet the requirements for supporting documents.
Those contemplating a trip to South Africa with children should be aware that the country has rigorous entrance criteria for youngsters.
Children’s travel documents for admission to South Africa are determined by a number of variables, including the number of parents accompanying the child, the child’s nationality, and whether or not they are in alternative care.
In this article, Mrpocu.com will list all you need to know when traveling with children to South Africa to help you plan your trip.
This guide covers all the things you need to know and it’s a 99 percent certainty that you’ll be able to have your visa accepted with it. Travelers buy such a guide from several blogs. But I’ve put these together for you for free to assist you with your visa application. If you find this article helpful, please share it with others and post it on social media to relieve others from stress when getting a visa.
Is South Africa safe to travel with children?
Yes, it is safe, although there are some locations to avoid, like in most countries. Also, don’t go out late at night in secluded locations, be cautious with valuables, stick to crowded and tourist-oriented areas, avoid Durban’s downtown centre, and so on. Read more review on TripAdvisor.
What Documents Does a Minor Need to Fly to South Africa?
Travelers should verify the South Africa Visa requirements and the South Africa child policy before entering the country with a minor. The necessary documents depends on the child’s nationality and who they are travelling with, as shown in the table below.
For children of South African nationality or international visa-exempt youngsters, this documents will be sought at the port of entrance and exit in South Africa.
Those who must apply for a visa to enter South Africa must produce the same documents as a visa-exempt child, but during the visa application procedure rather than at the port of entry.
Do children traveling to South Africa need to produce their birth certificate upon arrival?
When visiting or departing from South Africa, a child’s nationality determines whether or not they need to submit their birth certificate:
- South African children traveling on a South African passport do need to carry their unabridged birth certificate to enter the country
- Foreign visa-exempt children will no longer need to present their birth certificate nor parental consent letters
- Foreign visa-required children will have their birth certificate processed during their visa application, and no longer have to produce the document for inspection at the airport upon arrival
Travelers who are accompanying kids to South Africa or family members who are bringing unaccompanied minors to South Africa frequently question if they will need to produce the child’s birth certificate.
This misunderstanding stems from the fact that in 2015, unabridged birth certificates became a requirement for minors arriving in South Africa. This document was created to aid in the prevention of child trafficking.
On Friday, November 8th, 2019, South African government officials stated that foreign children travelling with their parents no longer need birth certificates or consent letters to enter the nation.
When children visit South Africa with their mother and father carrying a valid passport on which the child’s parents are registered, the birth certificate need is waived.
What do you need to travel with a child to South Africa?
These are the following document you need to help you travel to South Africa with you child or children.
Required Document For Children Traveling To South Africa
| South African child | Foreign visa-exempt child | |
|---|---|---|
| Child traveling with both parents | Valid passport containing details of the parent or parents of the childIf passport does not contain detais of parent, or parents: Copy of a birth certificate /equivalent document | Valid passport |
| Child traveling with one parent | Valid passport containing details of the parent or parents of the childIf passport does not contain detais of parent, or parents: Copy of a birth certificate / equivalent documentParental consent letter from absent parentCopy of the passport / identity document of the absent parentContact details of the absent parentIf applicable:Copy of a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child, if applicableCopy of death certificate of deceased parent, if applicable | Valid passport |
| Child accompanied by person who is not their biological parent | Valid passportCopy of a birth certificate / equivalent documentParental consent letter (s)Copy of the passport(s)/identity document(s) of the child’s parent(s)/legal guardian (s)Contact details for the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)If applicable:Copy of a death certificateCopy of an adoption orderCopy of court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights/legal guardianship to the person accompanying the child. | Valid passport |
| Unaccompanied child (entering South Africa) | Copy of the child’s birth certificateParental consent lettersCopy of the passport(s)/identity document(s) of the child’s parent(s)/legal guardian (s)Contact details for the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)A letter from the person who will receive the child upon arrival in South Africa, containing their residential address (where the child will also reside in South Africa) and contact detailsCopy of the valid passport/identity document or valid resident permit of the person who will receive the child upon their arrival in South AfricaIf applicable:Copy of a death certificateCopy of an adoption orderCopy of court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights/legal guardianship in respect to the child. | |
| Child in alternative care (resident in South Africa who is exiting the country) | Valid passportLetter from the provincial head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides, authorising his or her departure from South Africa. |
Can a Child Travel to South Africa with One Parent?
Children can visit South Africa with one parent if they have a valid passport, as shown in the table above.
Exemptions for South Africa Entry Requirements for Children
Although supporting documentation is required in most situations when travelling to South Africa with children, there are rare exceptions where some South African child policy standards do not apply:
- Children with a South African passport may travel to South Africa without birth certificates
- Supporting documents are not required for children in direct transit through an international airport
- Children with a valid South African visa are not required to produce the documents already submitted as part of their visa applications when travelling through a port of entry in South Africa
- A child with a passport containing the details of his or her parent(s) is not required to produce a birth certificate or equivalent document
- Children traveling as part of a school trip are able to replace the parental consent letter and other additional documents with a letter from their school principal confirming that all consent letters are held by the school. This arrangement applies to all schools registered with the Department of Basic Education in South Africa and its equivalent abroad.
Persons acting on behalf of the kid may petition for a special exemption if the child’s parent(s) are unable to consent to their child travelling to South Africa owing to recent death or mental or physical incapacity. In such situations, a request detailing the situation must be sent to the Office of the Director-General of Home Affairs of South Africa, together with supporting paperwork such as a treating medical practitioner’s certificate.
This third exception only applies in circumstances of parental incapacity, not in cases where a parent refuses to consent or cannot be found owing to separation or divorce. In circumstances when a parent refuses to consent, a court order under section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005) might be presented as an alternative.
What to pack when traveling To South Africa
Most (If not all) visa applications come out successful. Remember not to forget these when packing:
- Yellow Fever vaccination Card
- Return ticket (make sure days of stay corresponds to or less than the permitted number of days to stay)
- Proof of accommodation
- Funds for your stay (Cash and/or cards)
South Africa entry requirements COVID
The passenger will be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms or contact with people who have been infected with the virus when they arrive at the port of entry. In the event that travellers need to self-quarantine when they arrive in the nation, they must additionally produce evidence of address.