Organisation : Department of Home Affairs
Type of Facility : Regulations on Traveling with Children
Head Office : Pretoria
Website : http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/civic-services/traveling-with-children
DHA Regulations on Traveling with Children
** Select an option below to find out which documents you will need when travelling in or out of South Africa with your children
Related / Similar Facility : DHA Track & Trace Status
Application Requirements
1.1. The documents listed under paragraph 4 shall upon request be produced at a port of entry by:
** South African minors upon leaving the Republic, and
** Minors who are foreign nationals and who are visa exempt when travelling through a port of entry of the Republic.
1.2. Minors who apply for a South African visa at any mission or VFS service-point shall be required to submit as part of the application, documents listed hereunder at paragraph 4, prior to such visa being issued.
1.3. Where a minor applies for a visa inside South Africa or at a South African embassy abroad it shall be standard practice for all supporting documents to be submitted prior to the visa being issued. Sworn translations of the documents should be submitted with the visa application as stipulated in Regulation 9(4) of the Immigration Regulations, 2014.
1.4 However, persons who are visa exempt need not submit any translations when reporting to an Immigration Officer at a port of entry. Supporting documents should either be the originals or certified copies of the originals.
Documents Required For Travel Through A Port Of Entry Of The Republic Of South Africa :
2.1 Where both parents are travelling accompanied by one or more of their children, such children have to produce :
** Valid passports and an UBC or Equivalent Document for each child travelling.
2.2. Where only one parent is travelling with a child, (or children), each child has to produce:
** A valid passport, an UBC or Equivalent Document for each travelling child and the Parental Consent Affidavit from the non-travelling parent whose details are recorded on the UBC or Equivalent Document.
2.3. An unaccompanied minor has to produce :
** A valid passport; an UBC or Equivalent Document; Parental Consent Affidavit; letter from the person who is to receive the minor in the Republic containing such person’s residential and work address and full contact details in the Republic, a copy of the identity document or valid passport and visa or permanent residence permit of the person who is to receive the minor in the Republic.
2.4. A person who is travelling with a child who is not his or her biological child, such child must produce :
** A valid passport, an UBC or Equivalent Document and Parental Consent Affidavit.
2.5. A child in alternative care shall produce :
** A valid passport and a letter from the Provincial Head of the Department of Social Development where the child resides authorising his or her departure from the Republic as contemplated in section 169 of the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).
Explanatory Notes
One of the following documents may be presented in the absence of a Parental Consent Affidavit referred to above :
** A court order granting full parental responsibilities and rights or full legal guardianship of the child exclusively to the travelling parent ;
** A court order granted in terms of section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2015, (Act No. 38 of 2005) which is a court order granting permission for the child to travel in the event that there is a dispute or no consent forthcoming from the parent/s of a child; or
** a death certificate of the deceased parent.
** Where only one parent’s particulars appear on the UBC or equivalent document, no parental consent affidavit is required when that parent travels with the child.
** In the case of divorce, where custody of a child/children is shared, parental consent by both parents is required.
** Where a Parental Consent Affidavit is presented, also required are full contact details and copies of the identity documents or passports of the parents or legal guardian of the child.
** The consent of parents recorded as such on the Unabridged Birth Certificate or Equivalent Document shall be required regardless of the marital status of the parents of the child.
3. Explanatory Note :
** This dispensation only applies to incapacity, and does not apply where a parent is either unwilling to consent or unable to be located due to separation or divorce.
** Where a parent refuses to give consent, a court order in terms of section 18(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005 (Act No. 38 of 2005), may be presented in lieu of such parental consent.
Functions of DHA
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) in South Africa is responsible for a wide range of functions related to citizenship, immigration, and other important matters. Here are some of the key functions of the Department of Home Affairs:
Issuing Identification Documents:
The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for issuing various identification documents to South African citizens and residents, including identity documents, passports, and birth certificates.
Managing Immigration:
The department is responsible for managing immigration to South Africa, including issuing visas and permits to foreign nationals who wish to enter the country for work, study, or other purposes.
Citizenship and Naturalization:
The department is responsible for processing applications for South African citizenship and naturalization, including applications for citizenship by birth, marriage, or descent.