Are you an American looking to explore the wonders of Africa? You may be wondering if you need a visa to do so. The good news is that US citizens do not need a visa to visit Africa for up to 90 days. However, it is important to ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months. Green card holders and nationals of other countries should check the list of visa-free countries to see if they need to apply for visas.
If their country is not on the list, they must apply for visas. Additionally, there are countries that are visa-free if the applicant is traveling to South Africa for a period of 30 days or less. There are also countries that require visas but are exempt from paying visa fees. A yellow fever certificate is only required if the applicant is passing through the yellow fever belt area before entering South Africa.
For urgent or short-term work, a Section 11 visa can be issued (no longer than 3 months). When a new extension is required within the Republic, an extension may be allowed for a final period not exceeding three months. However, applicants should be aware that Section 11 is not a work visa and should not be used for regular and continuous work activity. For original equipment manufacturer (OEM) technicians who must travel to RSA year after year to maintain and repair the equipment, such applicants must re-apply for authorization each year.
Section 11 consecutive applications submitted in the same year by the same applicant in the Mission will not be accepted. Within the Republic, extensions or renewals that do not exceed 3 months will only be accepted once per calendar year. The Immigration Act does not provide for foreigners to do internships in companies and organizations in the Republic of South Africa, so visas cannot be issued to such foreigners, including foreign students whose studies require an internship. Most nationalities, including holders of UK, US passports, do not need a visa to visit South Africa for up to 90 days. Most visas in Africa can be obtained at the border; however, it is essential that travelers check the entry requirements of each country they will visit at the local embassy, consulate, or an accredited visa management company to get the most up-to-date visa information before they travel. If travelers are taking one of our land safaris, they will travel to Kenya first and must apply for the visa at the Kenyan Embassy.
There is a lot to see and experience in Africa, and while these are perfect options for last-minute travel decisions or for travelers who don't want to apply for visas, it's worth considering other African destinations that do require visas, such as Kenya or Uganda.
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