Please ensure you have the correct documentation when you present yourself at check-in, security and Immigration formalities. You must present the same documentation at the boarding gates. For international travel, government regulations require all travellers to be in possession of a valid (return) air ticket, a passport, visa and health documentation (if required) and any other documents that could be required by government regulations. Travellers without the necessary documents will be not be allowed to board to avoid flouting immigration rules.

For domestic travel customers 18 and older must be in possession of any one of the following valid travel documents:

  • Government issued identity card
  • Passport
  • Refugee identity document
  • South African issued Drivers’ license
  • Birth Certificate for children under the age of 18 years

Note: Expired documentation will not be allowed. Digital or electronic documents on a smart phone, tablet or laptop is not accepted. An affidavit / certified copy not older than 3 months may be accepted in the event of a lost or stolen document.

  • Passport, visa and health requirements can vary according to your country of citizenship and your destination. It is your responsibility as a traveller to ensure you have the correct documents. Please check the requirements with the consulate or embassy of all countries on your itinerary. Failure to comply with visa and/or passport requirements may result in denied boarding. SAA is not responsible for any losses or inconvenience incurred as a result. 

    Please note that visitors who wish to travel to South Africa must have a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after their intended return date from South Africa. Visitors with an extended validity on a machine readable passport are not allowed to enter or transit South Africa.

    It’s important to note that non-South African passport holders must have at least 1 completely unused visa page for entry or departure endorsements by South African Immigration Service in their passport. Government regulations prohibit airlines from boarding travellers without the required blank visa pages, even if you hold a valid ticket and a valid passport. That requirement for a blank page does not include the page reserved for Observations, Amendments or Endorsements. This rule is not applicable to nationals of South Africa.

     

  • Customers travelling to international destinations must ensure that their passports are signed on the space provided at the bottom of the page that lists contact details. This is a requirement from the Department of Home Affairs to which SAA must adhere to. 

     

  • The Republic of South Africa is currently implementing the biometric capturing system at ports of entry. If you are a non-South African citizen, travelling through the ports of entry you will be expected to provide your fingerprints and photograph at the Immigration counter.

    To view the biometric process, click here.

  • Click here to view the official website list of South African embassies, consulates and high commissions.

    Please note this list only represents those organisations with their own websites. For a complete listing of embassies and consulates representing South Africa abroad, click here.

     

  • The South African Department of Home Affairs amended the requirements for minors (children under 18 years) to travel with birth certificates from 11 November 2019. The requirement is only applicable to minors traveling on South African Passports and they may be required to produce, in addition to their passport, a birth certificate or equivalent document which shows the details of both parents for all international travel to and from South Africa. Additional supporting documents may be required should they fall in a specific category. Customers are urged to obtain more information prior to travel.

    Further documentation may be required. For full details please visit the Department of Home Affairs website or refer to the travel advisory.

    Travellers will be asked to produce the required documentation at check-in for each flight.

    Important contact information:

    1. The South African Department of Home Affairs,0800 60 11 90 (toll free from South Africa)
    2. Your local South African Embassy

    For International Passport, Visa and Health requirements, travellers are encouraged to visit the IATA Travel Centre.

     

    Note:

    SAA's role is to ensure the new Immigration Regulations are communicated and adhered to by its customers, however, SAA is in no way responsible for the Act and the new Immigration Regulations. SAA will ensure it communicates any new amendments to the regulations in a timely manner, however, SAA accepts no liability for any inaccuracies in the content.

  • Minors younger than 18 years traveling to Namibia must have an unabridged birth certificate. In addition, when traveling: 


    a) with an adult who is not their biological parent: an affidavit from their parents giving consent for the minor to travel with the adult is required. 
    b) with an adult other than a parent/legal guardian: copies of their legal guardians’/parents' passports or documents of identity are required. Contact details of the parents/legal guardians should also be provided. 
    c) with a parent: an affidavit from the other parent giving consent for the minor to travel is required. A death certificate should be provided if one parent is deceased. 
    d) unaccompanied: an affidavit from their parents/legal guardians consenting their travel, a letter containing the contact details and residential information of the person who will receive the minor passenger, a copy of the identity document, valid passport or permanent residence permit of the person who will receive the minor passenger, and the contact details of the minor's parents/legal guardians are required.

     

  • The United States Government requires all foreign travellers to hold specific travel documents to enter the country.

    South African passport holders will need to apply in person for a visa, and should do so before booking a flight. The US Diplomatic Mission to South Africa says:

    • Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their strong social, economic and/or family ties to South Africa as well as their purpose and duration of travel.
    • Flight tickets: Applicants should obtain a visa BEFORE purchasing tickets or making irrevocable travel plans.
    • Visa Interviews are by appointment only. We suggest that appointments be scheduled at least 60 days before the travel date wherever possible.
    • Appointments are available Monday - Thursday.

    For details, see:

    http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/index.html

    US Visa Waiver Program

    Passport holders from other counties may be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program. If so, you can apply for authorisation to enter the US before you travel, using the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). Check your eligibility for the Visa Waiver program here:

    http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

    Electronic System for Travel Authorisation

    Travellers eligible under Visa Waiver Program must obtain authorisation via the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) prior to travelling to the United States.

    This automated system will confirm your eligibility to enter under the Visa Waiver Program and determine whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Upon completion of the application, you will be notified of your eligibility to travel to the United States.

    You can apply by visiting https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/ and answering all the required questions. Anyone trying to travel without authorisation may be:

    • denied boarding
    • delayed upon arrival and referred to US Customs and Border Protection for secondary inspection
    • required to submit an application and pay a fee
    • refused admission into the United States and returned on the next available flight

    Application for the ESTA authorisation  costs $14. You must pay by credit or debit card during the online application process.