Commercial truck drivers from some of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries don’t need work visas if they are employed by South African trucking companies.
This is according to a document by the South African Department of Home Affairs which details countries exempt from South African Visas, dated 25 March 2020.
These SADC countries are exempt from South African Visas
- Lesotho
- Botswana
- Kingdom of Eswatini
- Namibia
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
- Malawi
Foreign commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers from Lesotho, Botswana, Kingdom of Eswatini, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi do not require port of entry visas when entering the Republic, provided their visits do not exceed the period for which their respective countries enjoy visa-free entry and on condition that they can produce a letter confirming their employment with a transport company abroad.
Visitor’s visas in terms of section 11(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, with authorisation to conduct work in terms of section 11(2) of the said Act, may be issued for the period of the visa exemption status of the respective country, which period may not exceed 90 days at a time.
General Work Visas are not required by foreign commercial truck drivers who are employed by South African companies and originate from countries which enjoy visa-free movement into South Africa, on condition that they can produce a letter confirming their employment on entry.
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In accordance with a High Court ruling by the North Gauteng High Court on 31 March 2011, foreign commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers may be issued with visitor’s visas in terms of section 11(1)(a) of the Immigration Act, with authorisation to conduct work in terms of section 11(2) of the said Act for the period of their countries’ visa exemption status, which period may not exceed 90 days at a time.
All travellers to South Africa are advised that if you are the holder of a national passport of a country whose passport holders are exempt from visa requirements, but your individual visa exemption has been officially withdrawn, a port of entry visa application must be submitted through the South African Embassy/ High Commission/ Consulate General in your country of origin or of long-term residence. DHA
