Visa Time

03/09/2026

🇹🇭 IMPORTANT THAILAND VISA UPDATE – 30 DAYS FROM 15 SEPTEMBER 2026

Planning a trip to Thailand? There has been an important change to Thailand’s visa-exemption rules that travellers need to be aware of.

From 15 September 2026, Thailand is reducing the visa-exempt period for eligible travellers from 60 days to 30 days per visit.

This means that travellers who previously entered Thailand visa-free for up to 60 days will now generally be granted 30 days on arrival under the revised Visa Exemption Scheme.

📌 Can you extend your stay?
Yes. The 30-day visa-exempt stay may be extended for up to a further 30 days, subject to approval by Thai Immigration.

Thailand has introduced these changes as part of a wider review of its visa policies, including measures aimed at preventing misuse of visa-exemption arrangements and strengthening immigration controls.

🇿🇦 For South African travellers:
South African passport holders are included in the revised 30-day visa-exemption scheme.

So, if you’re planning a longer holiday in Thailand, don’t assume that your previous 60-day visa-free allowance still applies.

If you are planning to stay longer than 30 days, it is important to look at your visa options before you travel and make sure you have the correct permission for your intended stay.

At Visa Time, we can assist you with understanding the correct visa requirements and preparing your application.

📩 Get in touch before booking your trip if you’re unsure which option applies to you.

Send a message to learn more

18/08/2026

Travellers who provide false information when applying for a Chinese visa could face entry bans under new regulations.

Under Article 5, if a foreigner applies for a visa or applies to arrive at a port of entry and provides false material or makes false statements, Chinese immigration authorities or visa authorities may deny entry for between one and five years.

Anyone issuing an invitation letter or other supporting documents for a foreign national will also be responsible for ensuring the information is accurate and must cooperate with checks by Chinese authorities.

Individuals who provide false invitation letters or other fraudulent documents may face fines of R12 000-R24 000. Companies and organisations may be fined R24 000-R120 000.

Travellers who provide false information when applying for a Chinese visa could face entry bans under new regulations published in July.The new ent…

18/08/2026

A prominent farm owner in Manitoba, Canada is looking to hire two South African farming families to run his large cattle and maize farm. Housing, visa support / sponsorship and considerable benefits are offered.

DM me if you are interested.

05/08/2026

03/08/2026

🇺🇸 IMPORTANT UPDATE: US VISA SERVICES IN DURBAN HAVE CLOSED

From 1 August 2026, the US Consulate in Durban will no longer provide routine visa services.

South African citizens and residents who would previously have applied in Durban must now attend their US visa appointments in either Johannesburg or Cape Town.

This change may result in:

- Increased travel costs for KwaZulu-Natal applicants
-Fewer available appointment slots
-Longer waiting periods for interviews

If you are planning to travel to the United States, we strongly recommend starting your visa application as early as possible.

Visa Time can assist with your US visa application, DS-160 form, appointment booking and preparation.

📧 Contact Visa Time for professional assistance
🌐 www.visatime.co.za

Read the full update: https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/us-closes-durban-visa-services

The US Consulate in Durban will no longer offer routine visa services from August 1. Instead, South African nationals and residents will be require…

29/07/2026

The Embassy of Slovakia in Pretoria will close from the end of July until the end of August due to renovation work. As a result, the intake and processing of visa applications will be suspended during this period.

Normal operations are expected to resume in September.

15/07/2026

I recently travelled internationally after the new SARS Traveller Declaration requirements came into effect, and I wanted to share my experience in case it helps others.

I completed the online Traveller Declaration before my trip. However, after submitting it, I was instructed to report to the SARS office at Cape Town International Airport.

When I arrived at the airport, there was no SARS office that I could find, no signage directing travellers, and the airline check-in staff were also unaware of any additional process or where I should go.

On my return to Cape Town, I also didn’t see any signage in the arrivals hall regarding the new SARS declaration requirements or any indication that further action was required.

This was my personal experience travelling through Cape Town International. If you’re travelling soon, I would still recommend completing the online Traveller Declaration as required, if anyone has had a different experience or has managed to locate the SARS office or process at Cape Town International, I’d be interested to hear about it.

04/07/2026

https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/

04/07/2026

✈️ IMPORTANT NEW TRAVEL UPDATE FOR ALL TRAVELLERS ENTERING OR LEAVING SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦

From 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving South Africa are required to submit an online SARS Traveller Declaration before travelling. This applies to South African citizens, residents and foreign travellers.

The declaration relates to Customs and the declaration of goods, currency and other relevant items in your possession.

Do this 24 hours before you fly.

You can access the official SARS Customs Online Traveller Declaration form here: https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/

📣 Please share this with friends and family travelling internationally — this is a brand-new requirement and many travellers may not yet be aware of it.

From 1 July 2026, travellers entering or leaving South Africa must submit their traveller declaration online before they travel, unless they qualify for one