Frequently asked questions about
Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your intended return date. If your passport is due to expire within the next six months or has less than three consecutive blank pages, check with the embassy or consulate of the country of your intended visit to confirm their specific rules and restrictions regarding passport validity.
Passports should have at least three consecutive blank pages, excluding the "endorsement page’’ at the back of your passport.
A regular tourist passport contains 32 pages, but frequent travellers can opt to get a maxi tourist passport with 48 pages.
They are issued only to SA citizens aged 16 years or older. The documents are valid for 10 years and are not renewable. Once the validity period of a passport expires you will have to submit a new application for a passport.
To apply for a Maxi tourist passport you must submit the following documents:
- A duly completed passport application Form DHA-73
- Your original identity document and a copy, or a birth certificate and copy thereof if under 16
- If under 18 years, the prescribed consent by parents must be furnished. Please see Tourist passports: persons under 16 for the requirements
- A completed determination of citizenship Form DHA-529 when applying from abroad
- Present any existing valid tourist passport or if you have lost your passport or it has been stolen and you are applying for a new passport, you must provide a loss of passport report (DHA-335 ) and confirmation that you reported the loss to the police
- Two colour photographs that comply with the Passport and ID Photograph Specifications (NOT needed at smart card offices as ID images are captured digitally)
- Pay prescribed fees.
You can apply for an emergency travel document/certificate subject to the requirements below. Remember that some countries do not accept emergency travel documents/certificates. You must check this with the relevant authorities of the country you intend visiting before applying for emergency passport/travel certificates.
Emergency Travel Certificates are issued to South Africans who have to travel urgently for reasons of
- death
- sickness or
- other emergency or urgent matter
The emergency travel certificate is valid for a maximum period of 9 months but only for a single trip.
To apply for an Emergency Travel Certificate you must submit the following documents:
- A duly completed passport application Form DHA-73
- Your original identity document and a copy thereof
- If under 18 years, the prescribed consent by parents must be furnished. See requirements under Tourist passports for persons under 16
- Written motivation for the issuing of the Emergency Travel Certificate, along with any proof of the urgency of the trip (e.g. confirmation of funeral arrangements, doctor’s letter confirming sickness, etc)
- A schedule of your travel arrangements
- Proof of your South African citizenship in the form your South African identity book, birth certificate or old passport and a copy thereof
- Two colour photographs that comply with the Passport and ID Photograph Specifications (NOT needed at smart card offices as ID images are captured digitally)
- Payment of the prescribed fee.
Always leave copies of your passport, visa and other travel documents with your travel agent at Fusion Travel and Tours. It is a good idea to also send yourself these copies via email, for you to easily access it.
If your passport is lost or stolen while you are travelling abroad, call your travel agent, then 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 fingerprinted.
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.
6. Pay the required fee.
Frequently asked questions about
Travel insurance is insurance that is intended to cover medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, flight accident and other losses incurred while travelling, either internationally or domestically. We would advise all our clients to invest in travel insurance. Remember – if you do not have money for travel insurance, you do not have money to travel.
Frequently asked questions about
Credit card payment is the safest and most convenient option when traveling abroad. Please remember to advise your bank of your intention to travel, to avoid your credit card being blocked.
Frequently asked questions about
Make sure that you take more than the required amount for the time you are away from home, just in case of delays or other unforeseen circumstances.
Also make sure to have a signed prescription from your doctor for the medicine you are taking with you.
We would advise that you carry all your important medicine on you or at least in your cabin luggage in case of luggage getting lost in transit.
Frequently asked questions about
Travel documents needed when child is travelling with both biological parents
- Valid passports of both parents and child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
Travel documents needed when child is travelling with both adoptive parents
- Valid passports of both parents and child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- Plus one of the following
- Court order confirming the adoption of the minor by the adoptive parent(s)
- Adoption Certificate
Travel documents needed when child is travelling with both legal guardians
- Valid passports of both guardians and child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- Guardianship Order
Travel documents needed when child is travelling with 1 parent where parents are biological parents and both are on the Unabridged Birth Certificate
- Valid passport of travelling parent and child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- Plus one of the following
- Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 6 months
- Letter of Special Circumstances issued by Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has been appointed as yet.
Travel documents needed when child is travelling with 1 parent where parents are divorced (or legally separated), with equal parental rights and responsibilities
- Valid passport of travelling parent and child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- Plus one of the following
- Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 6 months
- Court order granting FULL parental responsibilities and rights to the travelling parent
- Court order granted in terms of section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005
- Letter of Special Circumstances issued by Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has been appointed as yet.
Travel documents needed when child is travelling unaccompanied, where parent is a single parent (i.e. only one parent on the Unabridged Birth Certificate)
- Valid passport of child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 6 months
- Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
- Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
- Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor
Travel documents needed when child has biological parents, but is travelling with an adult that is not a parent nor legal guardian
- Valid passport of child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- Plus one of the following
- Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 6 months
- Letter of Special Circumstances issued by Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has been appointed as yet.
For more information please follow this link.
Where parents are biological parents and both are on the Unabridged Birth Certificate
- Valid passport of child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
- Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
- Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor
- Plus one of the following
- Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 6 months
- Court order granting sole parental rights and responsibilities
- Letter of Special Circumstances issued by Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has been appointed as yet.
Where parents are divorced (or legally separated), with equal parental rights and responsibilities
- Valid passport of child
- Unabridged Birth Certificate (UBC)
- Letter from the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; containing his or her residential address and contact details where the minor will be residing.
- Proof of identity of the person who is to receive the minor in South Africa or foreign country; either copy of the identity document, or valid passport and visa, or permanent residence permit
- Contact details of the parents or legal guardian of the minor
- Plus one of the following
- Parental Consent Affidavit (PCA) not older than 6 months
- Court order granting FULL parental responsibilities and rights
- Court order granted in terms of section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005
- Letter of Special Circumstances issued by Director-General of Home Affairs in the event that a parent or parents are incapacitated or deceased and no legal guardian has been appointed as yet.
For more information please follow this link.
Thank you so much, I do appreciate your excellent service from everyone there
– Phillip Phasha
Thanks so much for the professional service as always
– Stephen van Staden
Dankie vir al jou moeite met ons vakansiereëlings. Dit was ‘n heerlike wegbreek
– Liezl Botma
Your excellent service provided in such a kind manner should be celebrated by your company and something that I will remember and be thankful for a very long time
– Judith Bester
I must compliment you for being on the ball!
– Gunthar Jacobs
Die toer was wonderlik dankie! Ons is so dankbaar vir al julle professionele reëlings – alles het regtig seepglad verloop
– Annerie Van Wyk
Ek wil net vir jou sê dat jy puik werk gedoen het met die reëling van alles met ons Rusland trip. Ons kon nie vir beter diens gevra het nie. Alles wat net reg
– Mornette Bothma
I just wanted to compliment you on your excellent handling of all our travel arrangements
– Sonya Semmelink
Thank you and your professional team for the remarkable service and support rendered to our us. I must highlight your team’s patience, friendliness and quick actions and feedback, regardless of our requests, “demands”, calls, etc. – not to mention the short notice of some of them. Please know that it is really appreciated
– Riana Niemand
Thank you for all your help and assistance ma'am - Like ALWAYS, it's such a pleasure dealing with you!!
– Rickus Viljoen
