Welcome to our website
Are you a Belgian who has recently moved to South Africa and would like to register with the Consulate in Johannesburg or Cape Town? Did you lose your passport while you were travelling through South Africa as a tourist? Do you need to request a visa in order to travel to Belgium? Then you’ve come to the right address.
This website will keep you up to date on consular matters that are specifically applicable to Belgians in South Africa, current events in Belgian foreign policy and other useful information or events.
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO OUR CONSULAR SERVICES
The consulate in Johannesburg will be moving to Pretoria. The renovations are nearly done and from 13 July 2020 the consulate will be able to assist you in brand new and modern offices in Pretoria.
Please be advised that:
- temporarily you will not be able to request new passports and eID’s in Johannesburg. You will be able to preregister for one and in case of an emergency we are still able to issue temporary passports.
- we will effectively stop all consular assistance from Johannesburg from 3 July on.
- the actual move of the consulate will take place between 6 and 10 July.
- during this time you will still be able to reach our consular team on the emergency phone.
- visa applications are still not allowed, so no changes in that department for now.
- our consulate in Cape Town will remain at its current location and is open for business.
For those who are registered with our consulate in Johannesburg: as of 13 July we will provide assistance with all your consular needs from our new offices in: 625, Leyds Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria 0002. Safe and guarded parking spots are available. From then on you’ll be able to reach the consulate on pretoria@diplobel.fed.be and +27 (0) 12 440 3201.
We realize that with this move, the distance to the consulate is increasing for some of you, but in the past couple of years a lot of the processes went digital and there is no longer a need for you to come down in person. In the coming years we’ll be looking to digitalize more of our processes.
Whatever the situation may be, we will do our utmost best to make this transition as smooth as possible for you and we are looking forward to welcome all of you in our new offices as of 13 July.
The Belgian Embassy is aware that South African Authorities currently require from their own nationals who want to leave the country:
“… Proof that confirms your admissibility in the form of a letter from the embassy or other diplomatic / consular representative of your country of normal residence, confirming your right of residence in that country and that you are permitted to return thereto under the current circumstances. If returning by road or connecting flights, the proof submitted to us needs to include each transiting countries permission for your travel.”
Please note that the Belgian Missions abroad are not in a position to issue such letters of admissibility. However, for serving the purpose, you may find the confirmation useful, which you can download here.
COVID-19 – CURRENT SITUATION FOR TRAVELERS
Worldwide countries are taking precautions to try and stop the corona virus. The virus is spreading worldwide and can impact your travels. These travels don't assist in stopping the spreading of the virus. More and more countries are imposing quarantine measures or are closing the borders so normal passage through the borders can’t be guaranteed. The risk for Belgian citizens to get stranded abroad is so high, that all travels abroad are discouraged.
From 26 March at midnight until 16 April midnight (21 days) all borders are closed and all international flights to and from South Africa suspended, as a cause of the lockdown in the whole country. Tourists have to stay at their accommodation for the whole duration of the lockdown. If you are stuck in South Africa, make sure that you have a place to stay and try to arrange help through your contacts in Belgium (e.g. bank and Western Union), your doctor (medication), family and friends. In these unforeseen circumstances, even the resources of the Belgian Embassy are limited.
All non-essential travel and movement are prohibited during this period. Everyone is asked to stay at home, accept to buy food or medicine or to seek medical assistance. All shops and companies are closed during this time, except for supermarkets, pharmacies, pertol stations, banks, laboratories, all companies that are necessary for the production and transport of food, basic goods and medical supplies.
Tourist who want to leave the country after the lockdown need to firstly contact their tour operator, travel agency or airline company.
People who live abroad permanently need to use their own descretion to decide if they want to stay in the country after the lockdown.
South Africa is imposing a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries as from 18 March 2020. These countries are the following: Italy, Iran, Korea, Spain, Germany, US, UK, France, Switserland, China. This is for all foreign travellers travelling from or transiting through these countries. These travelers will be sent back upon arrival, even after the lockdown. At the moment, Belgium is not yet part of the high risk countries.
South African citizens and residents who are returning from these high risk countries after the lockdown will be placed in quarantine for 14 days.
The situation can change from one minute to the next, that's why we currently strongly discourage travel to South Africa and to postpone your trip until after the COVID-19 crisis.
Please follow up on following websites:
Also consult the information privided by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp:
In order to assist you to the best of our abilities, please register on https://travellersonline.diplomatie.be
Updated advisory November 2019: NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILDREN (-18 years) TRAVELLING THROUGH SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS OF ENTRY
Immigration Rules: South Africa introduced new immigration rules as from 26 May 2014: www.dha.gov.za or contact the South African Embassy in Brussels - publicdiplomacy@southafrica.be or www.southafrica.be. Your passport has to be valid at least 30 days AFTER departure from South Africa and needs to have at least 2 unused pages for entry/exit stamps or visa. Read more...
South African IMMIGRATION RULES // Temporary (handwritten) Belgian passports not accepted to enter South Africa
Please note that temporary (handwritten) Belgian passports are not accepted to enter South Africa, unless in the case of a proven life threatening medical emergency situation!
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