Borders open to travel from Africa

01 Oct 2020 / South Africa

South Africa is opening its international borders for travellers from the African continent from today (1 October) in a bid to facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services from South Africa, SADC and the rest of the continent.

Travellers from all African countries must possess relevant travel documents, and will also be screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

Leisure travellers from 60 high-risk countries will not be allowed into the country. This list will be updated every fortnight, and currently includes the following countries:

  • Albania
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Belgium
  • Bolivia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Columbia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Ecuador
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • Guyana
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Jamaica
  • Jordan
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Luxemburg
  • Maldives
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Montenegro
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • North Macedonia
  • Oman
  • Palestine
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Slovakia
  • Suriname
  • Switzerland
  • Ukraine
  • United Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • USA
  • Venezuela

The exception for travellers from high-risk countries will be business travellers with scarce and critical skills, including diplomats, repatriated persons, investors and people participating in professional sporting and cultural events, who will undergo the same health protocol screenings.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will extend the validity period of legally issued visas, which expired during the lockdown period, until 31 January 2021.

For further details and updates, as well as information about operations in South Africa, contact GAC South Africa at [email protected]

If quoting any content from Hot Port News, please cite GAC Hot Port News as the source.