2. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR TRAVELLING THROUGH A PORT OF ENTRY OF THE REPUBLIC
CATEGORY | SOUTH AFRICAN CHILD | FOREIGN VISA EXEMPT CHILD |
CHILD ACCOMPANIED BY BOTH PARENTS | - valid passport
- copy of a birth certificate / equivalent document or passport containing the details of the parent or parents of the child
| |
CHILD ACCOMPANIED BY ONE PARENT | - valid passport
- copy of a birth certificate/equivalent document
- parental consent letter
- copy of the passport / identity document of the absent parent
- contact details of the absent parent
- where applicable-
- copy of a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child.
- copy of a death certificate of the deceased parent
| |
CHILD TRAVELLING WITH PERSON WHO IS NOT HIS / HER BIOLOGICAL PARENT | - valid passport
- copy of a birth certificate/equivalent document
- parental consent letter(s)
- copy of the passport(s)/ identity document(s) of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
- contact details of the parent(s)/legal guardian(s)
- where applicable-
- copy of a death certificate
- copy of an adoption order
- copy of a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights / legal guardianship in respect of the child.
| |
UN-ACCOMPANIED CHILD | - copy of his /her birth certificate
- parental consent letters
- copy of the passport(s)/identity document(s) of the parent(s) / legal guardian(s)
- contact details of the parent(s)/ legal guardian(s)
- letter from the person who is to receive the child in the Republic, containing his / her residential address and contact details in the Republic where the child will reside
- copy of the identity document / valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the child in the Republic
- where applicable-
- copy of an adoption order
- copy of a death certificate of the deceased parent/ parents or legal guardian;
- copy of a court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or legal guardianship in respect of the child
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CHILD IN ALTERNATIVE CARE | - valid passport
- letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides authorising his or her departure from the Republic as contemplated in section 169 of the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).
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3. EXEMPTIONS
3.1. South African children travelling on South African passports may travel to South Africa without birth certificates.
3.2. Supporting documents are not required where children are in direct transit at an international airport.
3.3. Children in possession of valid South African visas are not required to produce the documents already submitted as part of their visa applications when travelling through a port of entry of the Republic.
3.4. A child presenting a passport which contains the details of his or her parent or parents is not required to produce a birth certificate/equivalent document.
3.5. In the case of school tours, the parental consent letter may be replaced with a letter from the school principal confirming that all consent letters are held by the school. Upon producing this letter, immigration officers at ports of entry and South African missions abroad would not require any additional documents from individual scholars such as parental consent, birth certificates, death certificates, court orders or copies of the passports or identity documents of the parents and of the person receiving the child in SA. This special dispensation applies to all schools registered with the Department of Basic Education in South Africa and its equivalent abroad in respect of South African and visa required children. Download the suggested format for this letter here.
4. INABILITY TO CONSENT DUE TO RECENT DEATH:
Where parent/s recorded in a BC/ equivalent document are unable to consent to the travel by a child due to recent death, persons related to the child/children may apply for a special dispensation in lieu of parental consent by directing a request and full motivation, together with all supporting documents, to the Office of the Director-General of Home Affairs, at the following e-mail address: consent@dha.gov.za
Note:
- This dispensation does not apply where a parent is either unwilling to consent or unable to be located due to separation or divorce.
- Where a parent refuses to give consent, a court order in terms of section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005), may be presented in lieu of parental consent.