Entering SA as permanent resident

Spizz

Spizz

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A couple of questions for you bright people...

Background - I am a permanent resident in South Africa. I have a British passport and a South African ID book which shows my ID number and which states that I am a permanent resident. I work overseas and fly in and out of SA every couple of months. Usually through Cape Town.

For the last couple of years on exit and entry, it seems that the ID book is not useful to the immigration officers so at their insistence I have present a photocopy of my permanent residency permit which has been stamped and signed by the police. On presentation, it has to be dated within 3 months.

Basically this means that every time I'm home, I need to go to the police station with a photocopy of my permanent residency permit and have it stamped and signed by them.

I'm assuming all of this happens becasue the ID book has been so compromised that they can be bought for a couple of hundred Rand.

So, does anyone else have to go through this?

Will the new biometric ID card change this so a photocopy is not required ?(not eligible to apply now but when I can)

Talking about biometrics, I've just had a thought that maybe I can show my drivers license instead of a photocopy every time. Do you think they will accept this?

All answers or opinions welcome.
 
Spizz said:
Talking about biometrics, I've just had a thought that maybe I can show my drivers license instead of a photocopy every time. Do you think they will accept this?
Click to expand...

Next time, have your photocopy ready, but present your drivers license only and see if it's accepted. If not, then you can still pull out your photocopy. If they do accept the license then you know you can forego the photocopy on future trips.
 
@Spizz

About to use my Namibian passport to cross the border in twenty minutes, What I have done is exactly what you intend to do. I have a laminated copy of my SA PR letter which I present to them, but it seems I am on the system now as they no longer ask for the letter and just stamp me with an entry or exit stamp. In the old days before I would not inform them that I had PR and would get the standard 3 month period, once they saw the PR letter it was no longer necessary to give me limited time.

The scary thing is, they appear to know me quite well at the SA border as they no longer ask me for my car reg and just confirm with me that the number is.....N***OR , the one pliceman knows me as the guy that braai's at the border... :X3:

My British passport has expired, in the process of renewal, but I never use it in Africa,

CHeers
 
Mortymoose said:
@Spizz

About to use my Namibian passport to cross the border in twenty minutes, What I have done is exactly what you intend to do. I have a laminated copy of my SA PR letter which I present to them, but it seems I am on the system now as they no longer ask for the letter and just stamp me with an entry or exit stamp. In the old days before I would not inform them that I had PR and would get the standard 3 month period, once they saw the PR letter it was no longer necessary to give me limited time.

The scary thing is, they appear to know me quite well at the SA border as they no longer ask me for my car reg and just confirm with me that the number is.....N***OR , the one pliceman knows me as the guy that braai's at the border... :X3:

My British passport has expired, in the process of renewal, but I never use it in Africa,

CHeers
Click to expand...

I used to have a copy of my PR letter until about 6 months ago they told me that is has to be stamped and signed by the police. Then last time they told me it was out of date and has to be within 3 months. It's a serious pain in the arse.

Do you have an SA ID book Morty? Seems like those things are useless unless you want to buy a TV.
 
Gtx Gaming said:
Wife takes her original PR certificate with her each time she flies now.
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I thought about that but decided against it becasue I just think it's too valuable to lose or to get damaged.

Imagine the trouble trying to get that replaced by HA :wtf:
 
So the ID book is worthless. I'm next flying mid May so I'll try the driving license thing then.
 
I thought they could punch your ID number in their system and get your details.
 
babyfacek said:
I thought they could punch your ID number in their system and get your details.
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I didn't know abut that. But it appears from this thread alone that permanent residents are all being asked to show their PR certificate.
 
We went overseas on holiday last year, and my wife has permanent residence. She just showed her ID on exit and entry and it was fine. She did have the PR with her but didn't need to show it. This was OR Tambo though.

Seems like pot luck depending on the official. We also had to show the kids birth certificates which they seemed more concerned about..
 
I would just carry the original. My wife's TR permit is integrated within her passport so there will be no difference in risk carrying her PR once issued.

The new SA passports for children which now include both parents details inside their passport has made travel super easy and was well received globally during our travels.
 
we carry our original PR.
I have also heard instances at joeberg airport where the immigration officers won't accept the original PR and asked for proof of permanent residence.
 
joker08 said:
we carry our original PR.
I have also heard instances at joeberg airport where the immigration officers won't accept the original PR and asked for proof of permanent residence.
Click to expand...

:wtf:

But that original PR certificate is so valuable I just wouldn't risk losing or damaging it while travelling. A signed affidavit might be a PITA to get every time you fly, but it's a price I'm willing to pay to ensure nothing happens to it.
 
I read somewhere that if you have a south African ID book that this would be suitable to show instead of the PR certificate, However it seems that HA just don't actually give two hoots about providing an easy solution to anything.
 
Spizz said:
:wtf:

But that original PR certificate is so valuable I just wouldn't risk losing or damaging it while travelling. A signed affidavit might be a PITA to get every time you fly, but it's a price I'm willing to pay to ensure nothing happens to it.
Click to expand...
You're supposed to carry the original - sometimes they'll accept a certified copy of it but sometimes they wont.
 
bwana said:
You're supposed to carry the original - sometimes they'll accept a certified copy of it but sometimes they wont.
Click to expand...

I hope I’m not tempting fate, but they’ve never mentioned the original to me. First time they asked me a couple of years ago it was just asking for a photocopy. Then they wanted it stamped by police. Then they wanted it dated within 3 months. Maybe next time they want the original. I’ll find out next month when I fly in I guess.

I probably go through customs in or out about 10 times a year. I have 4 international flights in and out of Cape Town in the space of 15 days so I might try the driving license a few times if it’s refused at first.
 
bwana said:
You're supposed to carry the original - sometimes they'll accept a certified copy of it but sometimes they wont.
Click to expand...
sometimes especially at the joeberg airport, they wont accept both and ask for proof of permanent residence if you dont have one they will threaten you that they will deport you back. Then they will usually come around and settle for r100.
I had a valid visa when I first came to south africa, I was supposed to come to arrive at joeberg and then catch a domestic flight to cape town. The immigration officer argued that the visa says "to accompany spouse" and she was not with me at that time so the visa is not valid. I explained that she is already in Cape town and she was in cape town when the Visa was applied, this is how the home affairs issued the visa so why are you saying it is not valid. Detained me for an hour and then eventually gave me a 7 days visa asking me to get it corrected from home affairs. Later I was told that I should have just offered them to buy lunch and they would have let me go. That R100 bribe would have been much better than me spending on VFS fees, fuel and parking in town.
From that day onwards whenever I fly I make sure its a direct flight to cape town, even if the tickets are much more expensive.
 
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