SA Migration International

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Expired passport, valid visa?

Source: SA Migration, 22/02/2018

The issue of a valid SOUTH AFRICAN visa in an expired passport has
caused problems for numerous readers over the past year. Although a
person can still use a valid visa in an expired passport, the situation
is not ideal.
The consultants at SA Migration had to deal with a number of cases
where airlines refused persons to board in such situations. We also
received a number of queries from distressed employees whose SOUTH
AFRICAN employers did not accept the valid visa in the expired passport
as proof of their right to work in the SOUTH AFRICAN.
Expired Passport â€` Dept of Home Affairs Guidance
The official guideline from the Dept of Home Affairs regarding the
matter states that a person can still use the valid visa in the expired
passport. He/she will, however, have to show the expired passport
together with the new passport when travelling.
SOUTH AFRICAN employers can also check a personâ€™s right to work with
the Dept of Home Affairs.
Solution for the Expired Passport, Valid Visa Situation
Probably the safest solution is to replace your visa with a Transfer of
Visa to New Passport. This transfer can be done if you are in the SOUTH
AFRICA.
If you are outside the SOUTH AFRICA and have an expired passport with a
valid visa, it is possible to apply to transfer the SOUTH AFRICAN visa
to your new passport.
Transfer of Visa
In the light of the doubts about the situation that sometimes arise at
airports, and with SOUTH AFRICAN employers, SA Migration Consultants
highly recommend that persons with expired passports rather apply for a
new passport . This should remove all doubts and ensure peace of mind
for the visa holder!
For more information, please visit our website at www.samigration.com
or fill out the form

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