Belgium in South Africa

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.

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:

For South Africa: http://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/covid-19/ 

For Belgium: https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/  or telephonically 0800/14 68 9 (only in Belgium)

Also consult the information privided by the WHO (World Health Organisation) and the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp:

https://www.who.int/home

https://www.wanda.be/en/

In order to assist you to the best of our abilities, please register on https://travellersonline.diplomatie.be