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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

South African citizens require a visa to enter the Schengen territory, i.e. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

At which Embassy/Consulate/ Visa Issuing Authority should you apply? Read More

– If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of that country.

– If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority that is your main destination (i.e. your longest stay).

– If you intend to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority of the country of your first point of entry. 

VISA INFORMATION

Embassy / Consulate / Visa Issuing Authority

Visa can be applied for in the following cities: Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg.  Application will be processed by VFS Global website.

  • The Issuing Authority (VFS Global) requires applicants to present themselves for biometrics
  • Register online and the earliest available date will be shown.
  • Both parents are required to appear at the interview for children below the age of 18 years or alternatively supply an affidavit as to why the parent cannot be in attendance.
  • Children under 12 don’t require biometrics

Johannesburg VFS Global
1st Floor Rivonia Village
Corner Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road
Sandton, Johannesburg

Pretoria VFS Global
1st Floor, Cherry Lane Office Park
114 Fehrsen Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk
Brooklyn, Pretoria

Cape Town VFA Global
47 Strand Street, 5th Floor, Cape Town, 8001

Portugal Visa Application Centre

Durban VFS Global

Unit 101A 1st Floor
91 -123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize)
Essenwood
Durban

Submission Timings: 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 15:00 Monday-Friday
Passport retrieval time: 10:00 to 16:00 Monday-Friday

Tel:+27 (1) 24253003 between 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 (Monday-Friday)
Email: info.czza@vfshelpline.com

  • Valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (after the return date of planned trip).
  • Passport must have a minimum of 3 blank pages
  • If not a SA citizen, a residence permit valid for a period of at least 3 months after the applicants last day of stay in the Schengen states.
  • Photocopy of BIOMETRIC PAGE of passport – preferably in colour
  • Photocopy of any previous SCHENGEN VISAS.
  • Photocopy of applicants ID Document
  • Duly completed (in capitals with black ink ) and signed “Harmonised Application For Schengen” form (the application form may be acquired free of charge at the consular departments of the foreign representatives or downloaded from the country’s website).
  • 2 x Identical Colour passport photographs  – must not be older than 30 days.
    • Size:  45mm x 35mm
    • No smiling, no head gear, no sunglasses etc
  • Photocopy of return flights clearly showing ​all ​flight sectors (​including to/from RSA).  Ensure trip(s) are no longer than 90 days in a 6 month period.  Passenger full name must be clear.
  • Proof of confirmed hotel accommodation for ​each night​ out of RSA.  ​Accommodation must state the traveller’s name, arrival date, departure date and the address of hotel.
  • If the applicant is staying with friends and family, the host must send a sworn affidavit invitation (that has been certified by the Czech National Police or a commissioner of oath) confirming names, date and accommodation address.  Copy of hosts passport or ID.   Non-resident hosts must provide proof of ownership of property & a residence permit
  • Proof of residence is required by means of a Utility Bill showing residential address.
  • Travel/Health/Accident insurance: a one page document stating that the applicant is covered by a Schengen Travel Medical Insurance for the entire period of stay with a minimum medical coverage of the Rand equivalent of Euro 30 000 per person for all medical expenses including evacuation, repatriation dead or alive and emergency transportation as well as emergency on/out of hospital medical treatment occurring in any Schengen country. No quotations will be accepted
  • An original bank stamped, latest 3 months bank statements.
    • The statements cannot be older than 14 days from date of Visa Appointment.
    • Bank statements must reflect a monthly salary.
    • Bank Statements must be in English.
    • Approximate amount needs to be equivalent to a minimum of approximately ZAR 1100 per person per day.
    • All sponsorship letters must be certified.
    • Should your spouse/parent/partner be responsible for financial means, please supply a letter from spouse/parent/partner confirming responsibility and provide proof in the form of original bank stamped latest 3 months Bank Statements and a copy of their ID Document
    • Credit card statements or cash will not be accepted
    • Purchase of foreign currency will not be accepted
    • In case of an overdraft, an overdraft summary report from the bank must be submitted.
    • Please note that all foreign passport holders MUST supply 6 months recent bank statements
  • Letter of Employment
  • If employed:  the applicant needs to provide a signed original letter of employment stating salary/annual cost to company and date of employment inception and a certified copy of last three month payslips.
  • If self-employment (Directors, CEO, Board Members), the applicant needs to provide proof of company registration /commercial license and latest VAT certificate.
  • If pensioned or retired the applicant is required to provide proof of pensionership
  • If a student or scholar the applicant is required to provide a letter from the school/university confirming attendance (enrolment letter not accepted).

  • An official invitation letter by event organizer, reflecting full details and purpose of trip.
  • Enrolment/Entry tickets/Event program and an official letter of institution sending the applicant

  • An official business letter from a company in the Schengen state, as well as from the employer stating purpose and date of visit must be presented.
  • An official invitation letter from inviting company reflecting full details and purpose of trip.
    • Hotel reservation is required unless the invitation letter clearly states that accommodation is provided and details of same provided.

For conferences proof of registration and payment has to be submitted.

  • An official letter from school confirming attendance.
  • Letter from parents, confirming that they support the student financially (see above) and proof of same Certified copies of parents ID or

  • An official letter from school confirming attendance.
  • Letter from parents, confirming that they support the student financially (see above) and proof of same Certified copies of parents ID or passport

  • A letter of justification of the company and SA partner/branch explaining the purpose of the visit
  • A list of the participants

New South African passports for minors under the age of 18 are being issued containing the details of the parents as a standard feature.  Children travelling on these new passports do not require any additional documentation when travelling abroad if accompanied by both parents.

If however the children are still travelling on the old passports then ​the following additional documents will be required for any minor travelling with a parent:

  • Copy of unabridged Birth Certificate
  • Copies of parents ID documents
  • Consent letter from each parent not accompanying the minor. ​
  • Both parents are required to appear at the interview for children below the age of 18 years or alternatively supply an affidavit as to why the parent cannot be in attendance.

15 Working days

Visas will be issued for the period of intended stay only (ie. from date of arrival to date of departure)

Maximum 90 days per semester with multiple entries.

WEATHER

Moderately continental (cold winters with temperatures below zero and warm summers)

The best time to travel is all year round.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country: Czech Republic
Capital City: Prague
International Airports: – Václav Havel Airport Prague
– Brno–Tuřany Airport
– Karlovy Vary Airport
– Pardubice Airport (mainly international charter flights)
– Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava
– Kunovice Airport
Area: 78 866 km²
Population: 10,56 million
Time Zone: GMT +1 Central European Time
Religion: Predominantly Roman Catholics, however also have Czechoslovak Hussite Church, Czech Brethren, Protestants and Judaism. Although Judaism constitutes less than 0,7% of the population they a have a very strong heritage in Prague hosting the oldest Synagogue in Europe
Language: Czech; English, German and Russian commonly spoken
Currency: CZK (Czech Crown)
Exchange Rate: Please consult your local bank as exchange rates fluctuate.
Credit Card Payment Availability: Credit Cards accepted especially in the big cities
ATM Accessibility: Readily available in the big cities
Dialling Code: +42

TRAVEL TIPS

Electricity: Power sockets are of type E. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Water: Tap water is safe for drinking.
Business Hours: 09:00 – 17:00, many shops in the city centre of Prague stay open much longer.
Banking Hours: Mon to Fri 08-09:00 – 16:00-17:00 dependent on the bank
Photography Restrictions: No restrictions
Tipping: Suggested 10% in restaurants
Vaccination Requirements: No vaccinations required, however always consult with your medical practitioner or travel clinic.
Dress Code Restrictions: No restrictions
Peculiar Customs to Observe: Nothing in particular

FESTIVALS

  • Beltine Festival of Celtic Culture – 30 April – 1 May
  • Paleni Carodejnic  (Burning of the Witches) – 30 April
  • Velikanoc – Easter Monday
  • Prague Spring International Music Festival – mid-May to Early June
  • Summer Shakespeare Festival – June – September
  • United Islands of Prague Festival –  16 – 25 June
  • Highland Games – late August
  • Prague Autumn International Music Festival
  • Verdi Festival – September
  • Velvet Revolution –  17 November
  • Devil and Saint Nicholas (Cert a Mikulas) – 05 December

MAP

“The ancient splendour and beauty of Prague, a city beyond compare, left an impression on my imagination that will never fade”

– Richard Wagner