Saturday Star Travel has had numerous calls and emails about South Africans who will be going to England in the coming months.
If you are a South African passport holder, you need a visa. Because our Department of Home Affairs stuffed up and false South African passports were granted to non-deserving people, British authorities are no longer granting a waiver to South African passport holders.
Until mid-2009 (June 30), South Africans who have previously travelled to Britain on their current passports, will be exempt from this visa requirement. But if you are visiting after that date or if this is your first visit, you will need a visa.
Temporary South African visas are not accepted for entry into Britain and those going on working holidays need a visa. The British High Commission in Pretoria has entered into an agreement with VFS (RSA) Pty Ltd to provide visa and citizenship lodgement services which offer greater accessibility and extended opening hours.
You can lodge your visa application directly with VFS in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.