African Safaris & Indian Tours Travel | NZ Sales Agent Sunway Safaris
Ordinary passport holders of New Zealand will not need visas to enter South Africa for holiday purposes and business visits for a period up to 90 days as from 15 August 2019.
Note this information was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change without notice.
Link to the Directive from the South African Department of Home Affairs (PDF)
south-africa-visa-waiver-nz-passports-effective-15-August-2019
Indafrica is a boutique tour operator and travel wholesaler specialising in African Safaris and the Indian Subcontinent.
We are the NZ (GSA) representatives for Sunway Safaris and India Cycle Trails. We also work with selected partners to offer escorted, small group and tailored itineraries.
Indafrica is based in Central Otago, New Zealand.
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A New Zealander I know domiciled in Australia was not allowed to board a flight to South Africa for a conference because he did not have a visa. He had been to South Africa three times before on a New Zealand passport when domiciled in the UK with no problems. His air fare, conference and hotel fees were forfeited as a result. How on earth can this happen when he did not know of the 2017 changes re visa requirements. The booking was made by a third party. There should be some sort of flagging of visa requirements when flights are booked even it is just a compulsory general warning from the agent e.g. “Please check visa requirements as changes may have been made.” The person this happened to was shattered, as he was going to the conference with his boss and was to be introduced to potential clients who were also going.” An absolute shame.
Hi Dave,
I completely agree it is a shame. Many people have been caught out by this change when booking travel themselves online (your responsibility to check Visa’s yourself is in the fine fine print) or using an unreputable or inexperienced travel agent. A good travel agent should check the Visa requirement required for their clients for the passport they are travelling on at the time of booking. For some Visa’s agents can provide assistance in obtaining them and in other cases the client has to organise themselves but an agent can direct them to the appropriate consulate or Visa processing service. Your friend wouldn’t have an issue when living in the UK if this was before they brought in the requirement for NZ Passports holders to have a Visa for South Africa.
Apparently this year NZ is going to be the guinea pigs for the new online visa application system that South Africa is looking to introduce. They have indicated this might be in place by April but there has been no official announcement.
So you think it is best for me to apply for a visa going over in 3 months time to be on the safe side
Hi Elizabeth, please see my reply to your first query.
I would like to visit my family who I haven’t seen for 15 years since I have been in NZ and also would like some implant denture
Do I have to reply for a visa I have got my NZ Citizenship and passport
Regards
Elizabeth
Hi Elizabeth,
The Visa rules for tourism and business have changed so NZ Passport Holders do not require a Visa now to visit South Africa. However, if the primary purpose of your visit is seeing family and medical treatment please contact VFS for more information https://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/newzealand/know-your-visa-type.html or the South African High Commission in Wellington
I’m am a bit confused…
I see info about e-visas and also conformation that as a NZ passport holder I no longer need a tourism visas for south africa.
I will be traveling in December 2019.
I keep reading e-Visa maybe starting in November 2019….am I just ment to keep an eye out for weather this e-visa thing launches? I would hate to get court out, it all seems so confusing and uncertain.
Hi Angela,
I know it has been very confusing. The good news is that the Visa exemption has been brought in for NZ Passport Holders so there is no need to worry about an E-Visa if and when the South African government launches that service. The only exception is for South African dual citizens, they still have to enter and leave South Africa on their South African passports.
See for more information on Dual Citizenship https://www.sahc.org.au/citizenship/Dual_Citizenship.htm
I hope that helps – Natasha
HI. As of August 2020 will we require a visa or evisa to travel to South Africa if using a New Zealand passport. Also, I am traveling with my daughter and her father is staying behind. I know I need the consent form but is a birth certificate enough or does it need to be an unabridged one? I appreciate any help please.
Hi Cindy,
Sorry for not replying earlier. Your query ended up in our SPAM box for some reason. If you are New Zealand passport holder, no Visa is required to visit South Africa BUT if you hold dual citizenship for South Africa you have to enter and leave South Africa using a valid South African Passport. Accompanied foreign minors also don’t have to carry unabridged birth certificates BUT again if your daughter has dual citizenship then unabridged birth certificates and consent letters still need to be supplied. I highly recommend you contact the High Commission in Wellington to clarify any requirements and if you hold dual citizenship to apply for a new South African passport if the one held has expired.
Best regards,
Natasha