Advice for South African Citizens Travelling Abroad

Before boarding an aeroplane, South Africans should take time to learn about the financial, customs, political, cultural and economic environment of their intended destination. Learn at least a few key phrases in the target country's language. Even a modest command of the local language will go a long way. When travelling abroad the laws of the foreign country apply to everybody. South Africans are not exempt from local foreign legislation and will not receive special treatment.

Find out about the destination paying particular attention to issues of personal security, safety, health, immigration, customs and import regulations.

South Africans are encouraged to contact the nearest South African Representative and to carry contact details of their next of kin at all times.

A combination of your South African passport and identity document are the best proof of your South African citizenship. Anyone who intends travelling abroad should have a valid passport. If you do not have a passport, apply for it well in advance. Temporary passports can be issued on short notice but they are not accepted in all foreign countries. If your passport is damaged in any way it is advisable to replace it before travelling.

Passport application forms are available at all offices of the Department of Home Affairs countrywide and at South African Embassies abroad. If your passport is due to expire within the next six months or has less than two blank pages, check with the embassy or consulate of the country of your intended destination in South Africa for its rules and restrictions regarding passport validity and expiry.

If you have any questions about passports, you can either contact the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria at telephone 012-810 8911 or any regional office of the Department of Home Affairs. Keep certified copies of your passport (including the visa pages) with you for identification purposes. Do not keep the passport and the copies in the same place. An additional precaution is to leave a copy with a relative or friend at home.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you are travelling abroad, report the loss/theft immediately to the local police station. Take a copy of the police report to the nearest South African Embassy where you will apply for a temporary passport/emergency travel document.

Before a passport can be issued, you must:

1. Complete an application form
2. Be finger-printed
3. Produce written evidence of your South African citizenship (e.g. a birth certificate, identity document, certified copy of passport, driver's license)
4. Provide a copy of the police report
5. Present two photographs and
6. Pay the required fee.

A South African passport remains the property of the Government of South Africa and may only be used by the person to whom it is issued. Selling your passport or permitting any other individual or agency to use it may lead to criminal prosecution and is considered sufficient cause to revoke the passport and refuse future passport services.

A visa or permit is your permission to travel to, enter, transit or remain in a foreign country. A visa or permit does not, however, guarantee entry, as the decision to grant entry remains the decision of the immigration officials of the foreign country.

South African passport holders enjoy visa exemptions for certain countries. This means that South Africans can travel, usually for holiday or business purposes, to a country without a visa for a pre-determined time. South Africans are strongly advised against using visa exemption to travel to a foreign country if the real intention is to work there. A work permit must be applied for.

South Africans must always check with the travel agent and/or the Foreign Representative in South Africa whether a visa is required or not. Since requirements can change from time to time it is best to double check the requirements before each trip.
If you do not correctly comply with visa or permit requirements or overstay on your visa or permit you will be subject to any or all of the following: charged, jailed, deported and blacklisted.

It is strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling abroad. Travel insurance should cover hospitalisation and related medical costs as well as a possible emergency evacuation. Depending on your age, physical condition and destination you should consider provision in the event of death. Your travel agent or bank will be able to advise you.

Medical costs abroad can be astronomical compared to South Africa. In some instances medical treatment can be withheld if a person has no proof of funds or travel insurance.

Travel insurance that cover expenses in the event of death abroad will ensure that family and friends are not burdened with the costs for the preparation and transportation of mortal remains to South Africa. Remember to confirm the details of your coverage with your insurer as pre-existing medical conditions may require additional cover.

There is a tendency for airlines to overbook flights during peak season in order to balance out "no-shows" and ensure full flights. This often leads to the number of passengers arriving for a flight exceeding the available number of seats. Passenger with pre-paid tickets should be especially careful and collect pre-paid tickets in advance from the airline's office or arrive as early as possible on the day of the flight.

Prospective travellers who intend driving abroad must apply for an international driver's licence. These are issued by the Automobile Association.

South African drivers' licences are recognised in SADC countries (Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). It is recommended that a letter of verification be obtained from the South African Department of Transport.

It is illegal to take any firearms, ammunition and, in some instances, hunting knives into a country without the required permits. In the event that you wish to carry such items it is recommended that you contact the resident mission prior to travelling.

South Africans who will be abroad for any length of time, are encouraged to register with the nearest South African Embassy, High Commission, Consulate, Liaison Office or Honorary Consulate. Registration forms are available at these offices. The completion of the registration form is voluntary.

We wish to stress that all information contained in the form is for the sole use of the South African Representative. Hence the information provided will be handled in a strictly confidential manner and will not be divulged to other persons or institutions without your express authority.

Those who register assist South African Representatives in determining how many South Africans are abroad in a city, town or region in a particular country at any given time. Furthermore having a register of South Africans assists the South African Representatives to plan in the event of a natural disaster or any other emergency.

It is recommended that a separate form be completed for children over 16 years of age.

Do not forward your passport with the registration form. Forms could either be posted or e-mailed to the nearest South African Representative abroad.

In the event you depart from the country permanently inform the South African Representative so that your name can be removed from the registration list.

Make timeous enquiries regarding the health risks in the country/countries you intend travelling to. Your doctor or centres such as Medi-Travel International or the Airport Medical Clinic would be able to assist.

The prescribed immunisations and/or medication can prevent serious long-term and fatal diseases.

Depending on the destination other basic precautionary measures are:

Whenever necessary the Department of Foreign Affairs will, when alerted by the Department of Health, highlight specific health warnings.

A vaccination against yellow fever is a requirement for a person whose journey starts or entails 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 or going to infected areas. The countries concerned are listed hereunder.

Visas or permits will not be issued to persons who have not met the requirement of being vaccinated against yellow fever. Yellow fever certificates are valid for a period of 10 years commencing 10 days after the date of vaccination or, in the case of re-vaccination, within such period of 10 years, from the date of that re-vaccination.

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 (verify with your travel agent):

Angola
Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi
Cameroon, Central African Rep., Chad, Colombia, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire
Democratic Rep. of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea
Ethiopia, French Guinea, Gabon
Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana,
Kenya
Liberia
Mali
Niger, Nigeria
Panama, Peru
Rwanda
Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname
Tanzania, Togo
Uganda
Venezuela

For more information on international health requirements: www.who.int

Inform yourself thoroughly, prior to your trip, of the safety risks in the country/countries you intend to visit.

As we are well aware, we are exposed to crime everywhere. Basic precautionary measures will contribute to ensuring your safety, for example:

Do not become involved in activities that may be, or are, illegal. Please remember, once you leave South Africa, the rights enjoyed under the South African Constitution and laws cannot be guaranteed or enforced in the countries you intend to visit. If arrested abroad, the South African Government cannot intervene to secure your release from prison. Government will intercede with local authorities to seek to ensure that your rights, under the laws of the arresting country, are fully observed and that the United Nations Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisonersare applied.

The South African Government views crimes, particularly those involving women and children, traffic in humans, illegal drugs, mercenary activities, traffic in arms and the proliferation of nuclear material and technology, in a most serious light.

From 1 June 2006 holders of South African temporary passports will not be allowed to travel to or enter the UK. Only permanent (green) passports will be accepted.

This information is included due to the large number of South Africans travelling to the United Kingdom (UK).It is strongly recommended that South Africans travelling to the UK, especially younger South Africans taking advantage of working holiday or student arrangements, confirm their specific visa requirements with the nearest British Diplomatic Representative BEFORE departure.

The British government administers a very strict entry regime and South Africans who fail to comply with visa requirements are likely to be refused entry upon arrival.

The UK visa policy in respect of South African passport holders has been changed. As from 13 November 2003, South Africans wishing to stay in the UK longer than six months will have to apply for an EURP (European Common Residence Permit) unless they already hold a visa (including Working Holiday Maker visas).

There is no mandatory entry clearance (visa) requirement for South African nationals wishing to come to the UK as visitors. However, there is provision for prospective visitors to apply for an optional entry clearance (visa) at the nearest British Diplomatic Post if they are in any doubt whether they will qualify for entry. Though possession of an entry clearance does not guarantee admission it does provide a measure of eligibility prior to travel and also affords a right of appeal before removal in the event that entry is refused.

A prospective visitor must satisfy the UK Immigration Officer, amongst other things, that he or she is genuinely seeking entry only for the period and purpose stated, and will be maintained and accommodated without recourse to public funds or taking employment. If the Immigration Officer is not satisfied, entry may be refused after reference to a Chief Immigration Officer or Immigration Inspector. It should be emphasised that even those visitors that are in possession of a passport, return ticket and adequate funds are not guaranteed entry to the UK. The onus remains on the person seeking entry to satisfy the Immigration Officer as to his or her intentions.

Decisions to refuse entry cannot be appealed and can result in considerable inconvenience and distress. South African travellers refused entry into the UK will be required to return to South Africa. There is also a risk that other countries may also refuse admission on the basis of the British government's decision, which in all cases is recorded in the traveller's passport. The South African Department of Foreign Affairs cannot intervene in entry denial decisions made by the British authorities.

Travellers seeking entry as visitors to the UK are likely to be refused entry if they request to enter the UK, as visitors, for a six month holiday but carry with them copies of their resume and/or work references. It should be mentioned that a baggage search is a standard part of the further examination process and that Immigration Officers have the right to search for and examine any documents, which they consider relevant to an application for entry. They are also likely to be refused entry if they do not have proof of adequate funds to support themselves during their stay and/or do not have a return or onward ticket.

Working holiday visas cannot be issued at the immigration port of arrival in the UK. The traveller must acquire an Entry Certificate from a British consular or diplomatic post before departure.

Further information pertaining to visa requirements can be obtained from the
British High Commission in Pretoria:

Consular Section
Liberty Life Place
Block B, First Floor
256 Glyn Street between Pretorius & Schoeman Streets
Hatfield 0083

Tel: (012) 421 7800/1/2
Fax: (012) 421 7877
E-mail address: bhc@icon.co.za or Foreign Representation in South Africa
Website: www.britain.org.za

Consular Assistance to SA citizens in the United Kingdom:
South African High Commission
South Africa House
Trafalgar Square
London

Tel. (0944-207) 451 7299
Fax. (0944-207) 451 7284
E-mail: general@southafricahouse.com

Website: www.southafricahouse.

Immigration and Civic Services Assistance to South African citizens in the United Kingdom

Please be informed that the South African High Commission in London (Home Affairs Section - Immigration and Civic work) has implemented an automated appointment based system with effect from 23 January 2007 to all clients. Calls to make appointments are charged at GBP 1 per minute. For ease of reference, the appointment line is : 09065 540 799 (for passports and other services to South African citizens) and 09065 540 798 (for visas and permits). Please consult our website: www.southafricahouse.com for more information.

What You Must Know Before Traveling to Work Abroad

" Working abroad should always be a beneficial experience for both the employee and employer."

Working abroad can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It may be an opportunity to improve your economic situation, gain valuable work experience, and travel to new and interesting places. However, accepting a job offer without making adequate preparations and taking precautions can put a migrant worker in a vulnerable position, and optimistic migrant workers may find themselves in the hands of unscrupulous employers or human traffickers.

Human traffickers can be very good at identifying and recruiting potential victims. They can make a job offer appear very enticing and realistic. The story about unsuspecting South African women trafficked to Israel to work as au pairs that was reported on page 2 of this issue illustrate how traffickers often successfully deceive would-be migrant workers about opportunities for employment abroad. It is therefore essential that migrant workers avail themselves of proper information when seeking employment overseas, and arm themselves with a back-up plan should things go wrong.

In Issue 9 of the EYE on Human Trafficking, the article 'Middle East Job Opportunities for South Africans' describes several recent cases of young South Africans who found themselves in rather unfortunate circumstances after accepting employment opportunities overseas. They were promised jobs with substantial salaries and comfortable accommodation, but ended up working for far less, and living in undesirable conditions. As a result of this article, IOM's toll-free help line in South Africa (0800 555 999) received a barrage of calls from the general public asking how to avoid finding themselves in a similar situation. In response to these requests for more information, as well as the increase of reports of trafficking victims from the Southern African region, we have compiled a list of basic precautions that one should take before accepting any offer of employment abroad.

Before you leave home

Ensure the job offer is genuine

Check to see that the recruitment agency is registered with the local Chamber of Commerce and, if possible, contact the company offering the job on a landline to confirm that they are recruiting, and that the conditions of employment are those promised by the recruitment agency. Offers from third parties, disreputable recruitment agencies, or people who approach you on the street should be treated with caution. You may also contact the local embassy of the country of destination to confirm that the company is reputable, and is permitted by law to employ foreign nationals in the manner promised. Beware of job offers that sound too good to be true and/or which offer to cover all of your expenses, including air fare and accommodation, up-front.

Obtain the correct working permit for the country of destination

Ensure that you are traveling with the correct and legal documentation to work in the country of destination. Most countries will require you to apply for a working visa if you intend to work in the country. The application for the visa must be filled out and signed by you, the employee, and not by the agency. Be suspicious if the recruitment agency attempts to convince you that a visitor's or tourist visa is sufficient for you to work legally in the country in which you wish to find employment. This is very rarely the case. If you are unsure, you can contact the Embassy of the country to which you hope to travel and/or check the government website, which may provide travel information to prospective migrant workers.

Sign a contract before you leave home

The contract should be in a language you can read, and stipulate your wages and deductions, your duties, working hours and breaks, benefits, leave, and procedures for resignation or termination. Be careful of accepting offers where you are required to pay back money to the employer if you do not fulfill the full term of the contract. The contract should clearly stipulate any amount paid for up-front by the prospective employer (for example, the cost of your airfare) and the conditions under which you will be required to repay this sum. Have an independent attorney examine the contract before you sign. Both you and the employer must sign the contract, and you should each be in possession of a copy of the contract.

Have contacts for people/organizations that can provide assistance

Before leaving home, make sure you have the contact details for your country's Embassy or High Commission in the country in which you wish to find employment. It is also advisable to notify your embassy that you are in the country and give them your address and contact details. Have a list of emergency contact details in the country you are going to: e.g. migrant worker organizations, churches and shelters, the police, friends and family in the destination country. IOM offers counter-trafficking programmes in many parts of the world that may be able to provide assistance to you in case of an emergency. It is also advisable to agree on a contact schedule with family and/or friends at home before leaving for a new destination. Should something go awry, and you fail to contact them at the agreed time, they will be able to contact the relevant authorities for help.

Know your rights as an employee of the country you are going to

Migrant workers are entitled to the same rights as all workers, and should be treated with respect and dignity. Before you work abroad, know your rights, and how to protect them. Be sure to investigate the minimum wages and other conditions of employment in the country to which you're travelling.

Once you arrive in your country of destination

Do not give your passport away to anyone (see remarks on certain countries of the Arabian Peninsula below):

Do not give your passport over to anyone except immigration officials or if requested to do so for reasons of identification e.g. Police or Hotel check-in reception. It is illegal for an employer to ask to hold onto your passport for any reason and you should never agree to do so, regardless of whether this is stipulated in an employment contract.

The problem that is being experienced by South African citizens in some countries of the Arabian Peninsula goes back a long time and is rooted in the system of sponsorship as practised by these countries vis-à-vis foreigners. It is important to note that sponsorship imposes a number of serious obligations on the sponsor. He/she typically has to provide accommodation, transport, basic sustenance, minimum medical care and repatriation. Added to that, he/she has a traditional obligation to the private debt that his/her sponsored worker may incur. It is the latter circumstance that, more than anything else, prompts the sponsor to retain her/his employee’s passport.

Diplomatic and consular missions of many countries have, over the years, sought to address this particular complaint with the governments of the countries involved, to little avail. However, until the sponsorship system is not radically altered, the passport issue under discussion will remain. Besides establishing a preferential position of trust with his/her employer, there is not much an employee can do in the circumstances.

A South African or any foreigner may object to his sponsor/employer holding on to his passport, but with a proper understanding of the implications for his employment. As a last resort, he/she may have recourse to the courts, if he feels strongly enough about it.

The Department does not condone the practice, but recognises that it reflects the peculiarities of the expatriate labour system in that particular part of the world. Intervention, legal or otherwise, must be weighed against the benefit and importance of the individual employee’s labour contract. It is reasonable to assume that the decision ultimately rests with that employee.

In the final instance the South African Government confirms that the South Africa passport is the property of the Republic and is made available to a citizen for purposes of travel.

Make contact

Once you have arrived in your country of destination, contact your local embassy and report that you are in the country. Also contact friends and family at home and let them know that you are safe and give them your contact details. If you find yourself in trouble, make contact with one of the organizations on your list, or contact the police or your local embassy.

Working abroad should always be a beneficial experience for both the employee and employer. While social services providers, government departments and law enforcement officials can be helpful in assisting persons who are victimised in the process, the ability and responsibility to prevent such incidences lie solely on the individual.

For further information, refer to the handbook The Migrating Woman's Handbook, published by the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women, available on their website at www.gaatw.net. It is a very informative manual developed to help women and others working abroad make a safe journey.

This article originally appeared in the EYE on Human Trafficking, Issue 11, written and published by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Pretoria. For more information, visit www.iom.org.za.