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UK VISA APPLICATIONS:

With effect from 1 July 2009, all UK visa applications will need to be submitted online and an appointment made to visit one of the application centres. Applications can be completed and appointments booked online using the www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk website.
 

Applicants will also have the option of paying online (with a credit or debit card) when completing their online application form.

Visas Unlimited can assist you in collecting your receipt and collecting the visa on your behalf when the visa is ready for collection, and delivering your passport back to you for a service fee of R200 excluding VAT.

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CZECH REPUBLIC - As of 1 April 2009 the consular and visa office will be open to the public on Monday to Thursdays from 09H00 to 12H00 only. The offices will be closed to the public on Fridays.

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SOUTH AFRICAN TEMPORARY PASSPORTS:

Please note that with IMMEDIATE EFFECT,  South African TEMPORARY passports will not be acceptable for entry into the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Austria, Netherlands, Luxumbourg, Germany, Qatar, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Kuwait, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Burkino Faso, France and Switzerland

NB:   URGENT - All Schengen visa prices have increased as of 01 January 2008. 

South African passport holders traveling to Australia:

Please note the new requirements on our Website for South African passport holders traveling to Australia.

The Australian Embassy has stipulated that as from Friday the 29th of May 2009 all applicants are to provide a bank issued cheque in favor of "The Australian High Commission”, Visas Unlimited can offer this service for you at a cost of R100.

1. DANISH EMBASSY: We have been notified by the consulate that they will be offline on Monday the 18th of May and therefore will have no communications available to us, we will be able to submit a limited amount of applications on this day but will not be able to do any collections. They will be back on line on the 19th Or 20th May, at the moment they are taking a minimum of 10 days to process a visa.
   
   
2. GERMAN EMBASSY:  The German consulates in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria have stipulated that they require an unabridged birth certificate for all minors applying for visas to enter Germany, Please allow 10 - 15 working days for visas due to the high demand at the moment.
   
     As from the 1st November 2008 all applicants will have to apply in person at the German Embassy in Pretoria.
   Exceptions are made only for those applicants who are not applying for the first time and comply with the following conditions:
   A). Have had a Schengen visa with a one year validity issued to them in the past 24 Months prior to application OR
   B). Have received (and used) at least two Schengen visas in the past 24 Months, of which one was issued by the German Embassy. See our requirements list for details.
   
   
3. AUSTRIA: Please note that as from the 1st February 2009 we will only be able to submit applications on behalf of clients who have previously held a Schengen visa. The previous visa must be in your current passport or a copy of the visa must be attached to your application. 
   
   
   1. The Austrian Embassy has advised us that an appointment system will be put into place in mid November, applicants are advised to make sure their applications are with us at least 4 weeks prior to departure as to allow us to setup appointments with sufficient time. 
      
      
   2. With immediate effect the Austrian Embassy will no longer accept any passports on a passenger’s maiden name with an air ticket issued in the married name – even if a copy of the Marriage certificate has been included into the application. 
      
      
   3. Only ORIGINAL invitation letters will be accepted for Austrian visa applications.
      
      
4.  SWITZERLAND:  As from the 5th December 2008 , Switzerland will join the Schengen agreement and become a Schengen country, application forms will be posted on our site in due course for their visa applications, Tourist and business visas are not required by South African passport holders prior to this date if their stay is no longer than 3 months. As from the 5th December 2008 South African passport holders will require visas for tourism and business. 
   
   
5.  USA:  As from early in 2009 it will be compulsory for travellers to the United States under the Visa Waiver 
   Programme (VWP) to apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) no later than 72 
   hours prior to departure. This online form will replace the green visa waiver form (I94W) which is currently completed whilst en route to the U.S. For further details see our USA requirements page on our website. 
   
   
6.  DUBAI, Travel and medical insurance is now a requirement for a Dubai visa application ( see requirements list) 
   
   
7.  ZAMBIAN Visas,   Zambia has done away with all their visa waiver agreements between them and foreign countries with immediate effect except South Africans and certain other African Countries which do not need visas. See our website for costing of the new visa fee structure for Zambia. 
   
   
8.   MALTA Visas, The Italian Embassy in Pretoria and the Embassy in Durban have assumed responsibility for the issuing of Schengen Visas for Malta, Requirements and cost as per Italian Schengen. 
   
   
9.  LIBYA: 
   1. All foreign nationals must have an Arabic translation of their personal data, usually seen on the photo  page of the passport. 
      
   2. This translation must be endorsed or affixed on the passport by the legal translator, who must also validate it using their stamp, if the translator does not validate the translation the passenger must contact his Embassy to validate/attest the Arabic translation. 
      
   3. Arabic translation letters when issued by Translation service providers, Embassy and Consulates are still NOT accepted. 
      
   4. All tourism passengers must carry USD1000 in cash, or equivalent in other currencies. 
   
   
10. As of midnight 21st December 2007, 9 Countries were officially welcomed into the Schengen territories agreement, these countries are now issuing Schengen Visas. 
    
    Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia 
    
    
11. MOZAMBIQUE,  SA Passport holders traveling to Mozambique for Business or Work purposes will no longer require visas.  All foreign passport holder fees have increased to R750.00 per visa single or multiple entry 
    
    
12. SAUDI ARABIA - As of 01 March the Saudi Arabian Embassy require that a Letter of Authority/Formal Undertaking be completed by ALL TRAVELERS.  This Affidavit must then be authorized by the Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Pretoria.  We will be arranging this authorization at a cost of R350.00 per person which includes the cost as specified for non-chamber members. 
    
    
13. CZECH REPUBLIC - The application form must be printed in RED ONLY -Applicants have to appear in person and the cost of a visa is R600 -  they will not accept the application if it is printed in black.  Please ensure you complete what visa is required single/multi - if multiple entry is required - proof of multiple entry is required.  The consulate requires that the Travel Insurance Policy includes all the applicant’s details as well as the fact that travel to the Czech Republic will be covered by the policy. 
    
    
14. IRAN  The Iranian Embassy requires all clients to provide the following:     A recent HIV Test plus a recent TB Test plus    Proof of Hepatitis B vaccination 
    
    
15. CANADA  The Canadian High Commission’s privacy laws restrict anyone other than the applicant to discuss the visa application and its contents, delays in issuing etc.  Please advise your clients that should their be any queries or calls with regards to the delay in obtaining their visas that they contact the High Commission in person either by phone or by fax.     As of 01 March 2006 all applicants applying for a Canadian Visa must complete and sign the Canada Family Information Form - this form can be found on our website. 
    
    
16. SPAIN ( PTA) The Spanish embassy has implemented a payment by bank issued cheques system. An additional R50 per visa will be charged to cover the costs of obtaining these bank issued cheques. 
    
    
17. ANGOLA  ALL applications (Business or Tourist) must provide proof of accommodation as well as bank statements. 
    
    
18. AUSTRALIA  Please note that the Australian High Commission are now taking between 18 - 20 working days for a visa to be processed and they strongly recommend that air tickets are not purchased until the applicants visa has been processed. They have also advised that until they have discussed the transit visa issue with EK, they suggest that all travelers transiting Australia on EK, First obtain a transit visa , regardless of length of stay. 
    
    
19. UNABRIDGED BIRTH CERTIFICATES  Just a reminder that we are able to have the above certificates issued in 5 working days.  Please contact the office for details. 
    
    ALL SCHENGEN COUNTRIES REQUIRE COLOUR PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS.  Please do not staple or glue the photographs. 
    
    Portugal - First time applicants to a Schengen country and applying Portugal - must apply in person.  Please call us for an appointment and we will meet you at the Embassy and assist you through the process.  Once the visas are issued we will collect and deliver the visa back to your office/home. 
    
    Netherlands - Netherland Embassy requires all applicants who do not have a previous Netherlands Schengen visa to apply in person.  Please call us for an appointment and we will meet you at the Embassy and assist you through the process.  Once the visas are issued we will collect and deliver the visa back to your office/home. 
    
    
20.  UK Passport photographs - please refer to our page under VISA FORMS with regards to the requirements for a UK Photograph - please allow time for the page to open as it is a large file.