In December 2014 the South African Department of Home Affairs, realizing the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship with international film, ad and television production companies, relaxed the immigration requirements international for production crews, actors and models coming to South Africa to produce commercials and to film movies.
The relaxation of these rules essentially now means that supervisory production staff travelling to South Africa from the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany, all of which are visa exempt, can enter the country without having to pre-apply for visas.
These travellers are able to submit their visa applications upon entry. Furthermore their entry requirements have been simplified in an effort to attract more filming teams into the country.
The process for actors, technical crews and models, actively working on sets, requires the traveller to apply for authorization in person from their nearest South African Embassy in their home country. Standardized procedures and requirements simplify the application process and such applications also receive priority status with a maximum turnaround of 5 working days for processing.
Production staff are required to furnish a letter of recommendation from the three international associations. Speak to your South Africa visa facilitator about this. The Commercial Producers Association of South Africa (CPA) and their partners the South African Stills Producers Association (SAASP) and the National Association of Model Agencies (NAMA) can now endorse applications made by reputable clients and service companies.
Requirements for travel to South Africa with the Section 11(2) visa for specialist personnel including Directors, DP, AD, Technicians, Art Department, Actors, Models etc
- This visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days
- Applicants must apply for this visa at their nearest South African embassy
- A valid passport with at least 3 blank pages which does not expire within 6 months is required
- A fully completed and signed DHA 84 form must be submitted with the application
- Flight itinerary or proof of confirmed reservation must be presented
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, where applicable
- A valid letter (made out in your name) from the CPA – your service company will provide this
- Payment of full fee
Applying:
- Ensure all the relevant documentation is submitted
- Make an application for a Section 11(2) – authorization to work on a visitor’s permit – to the South African Embassy. You may need to apply in person so please check this with the Embassy or your South African service company
- The embassy should take no longer than 5 working days to process your application.
- Present your passport or letter of authorization upon entry into South Africa.
Renewal:
Holders of the Section 11(2) visa may apply for a renewal, extension or change of conditions of this visa subject to decision by Department of Home Affairs to grant the visa which can be. Speak to you immigration consultant about the terms and conditions of applying for a renewal, extension or change of the conditions.
