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useful info for visitors to sa
Useful Information about South Africa
If you are intending to film in South Africa, you may find the following information useful. If you have any further queries, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.
CURRENCY
South Africa uses the Rand (R) as its currency. One Rand (R1.00) is divided into 100 cents. Click here for up to the minute currency conversions.
BANKING
Banking hours are:
Monday to Friday: 09h00 - 15h30
Saturday: 08h30 - 11h30
Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) are common in all cities and towns. All credit cards are commonly accepted and traveller's cheques can be cashed at banks, bureau de change and at many hotels.
COMMUNICATIONS
South Africa boasts a world-class telecommunications system and all hotels and most guest houses offer telephone, fax and internet connections. The South Africa dialling code is +27. The international dialling code when dialling out is 00.
CELL PHONES (Mobiles)
Three cell phone networks - Vodacom, MTN and Cell C - cover the entire country. Although some international cellular phones (GSM) will work with a local SIM card, international producers can hire a local cellular phone (mobile) through the production company.
This will save on high roaming and expensive hotel telephone charges when calling local numbers - and enable us to contact you at the cost of a local call once you are in South Africa - thereby saving on production costs.
ENTRY VISAS AND WORK PERMITS
The following procedure now applies to all personnel travelling to South Africa to work in the film industry, including CLIENTS, ADVERTISING AGENTS, CREW AND TALENT.
FIRST, establish whether your nationality requires you to obtain a visa to enter South Africa as a visitor. You can check this with the South African embassy in your country - but generally, holders of Australian, United Kingdom and Irish passports do not need to apply in advance but will be issued with Visitor's Visas at the South African port of entry.
Passport holders from the United States of America, most of Europe, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and the majority of South American countries can also enter South Africa without applying for a visa beforehand - but the visa issued at the port of entry will only be valid for 90 days.
The length of time that other passport holders are allowed to remain in South Africa varies from country to country but the period is usually between 30 -90 days. Please check with the South African Embassy in your country.
If your nationality DOES require you to obtain a visa to South Africa
you must apply for and receive the visa from a South African Embassy or consulate in your country BEFORE YOU DEPART FOR SOUTH AFRICA.
You must meet the normal visa requirements and MUST ALSO PRESENT A LETTER FROM THE COMPANY EMPLOYING YOU ABROAD AS WELL AS ONE FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN PRODUCTION SERVICE COMPANY.
N.B. ALL VISITORS TO SOUTH AFRICA
Whether or not you need a Visitor's Visa prior to entering South Africa, you should obtain a LETTER OF INVITATION from the South Africa production company facilitating your job. You may or may not be asked to produce this on arrival in South Africa.
This letter will include your name, passport details, dates of arrival and departure and reason for coming to South Africa. It must be made clear in the Letter of Invitation that you will not be earning revenue in South Africa.
PASSPORT PAGES
IMPORTANT - Please make sure that you have at least one clear page in your passport book and that your passport is valid for at least six months. You may be denied entry into South Africa if you do not comply with this requirement.
Visiting Neighbouring Countries from South Africa
N.B. Once you are in South Africa, if you intend traveling to and from neighbouring countries, you may need a pre-arranged multiple-entry visa. This should be arranged before you leave your country.
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE - IMPORTING YOUR PRODUCT, EQUIPMENT, PROPS OR WARDROBE
South Africa complies with the ATA Carnet system, an international customs document that allows goods to be imported temporarily. WE CAN ASSIST YOU to bring your product or additional camera equipment into the country by arranging carnets through our shipping and freighting company. They will advise on any special customs requirements relating to specific products.
CARNETS eliminate the payment of duties and VAT, the need for customs declarations and for deposits or guarantees. They are required if goods are brought into the country and need to be returned (equipment, wardrobe, props, etc) All goods brought into South Africa on a Carnet system MUST be returned to the country of origin or else import duty will be charged.
ELECTRICITY
South Africa uses power at 220/230 volts AC with 50 cycles per second. Round tipped, three-pronged plugs are universally used, although most hotel rooms will have a 110 volt outlet for electric shavers. You will need an adaptor for other appliances but these can be purchased locally in the main cities.
HEALTH
South Africa's medical infrastructure is as good as any in the world, with numerous government and privately owned hospitals and clinics, especially in the major cities, where hospitals are capable of the most advanced surgical procedures.
No vaccinations are required for visitors from the USA, UK and Europe. Travel insurance is recommended and can be arranged though your travel agent.
Malaria is not a problem, except in very remote areas, where prophylactics should be taken. Bilharzias is common and one should not attempt to swim in rivers or dams, unless in the mountains, where rivers flow fast and cold.
As in all African countries, HIV/Aids is prevalent.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
South African Public Holidays for 2008 fall on the following dates:
Tuesday 01 January - New Year's Day
Friday 21 March - Human Right's Day / Good Friday
Monday 24 March - Family Day / Easter Monday
Sunday 27 April - Family Day (Public Holiday will be on Mon 28 April)
Thursday 01 May - Worker's Day
Monday 16 June - Youth Day
Saturday 09 August - National Women's Day
Wednesday 24 September - Day of Reconciliation
Tuesday 16 December - Day of Reconciliation
Thursday 25 December - Christmas Day
Friday 26 December - Day of Goodwill
WEATHER
For more details of weather conditions in South Africa, click here
FURTHER INFORMATION
If there is any this else you'd like to know about filming in South Africa please go to our Contacts page and send us your query. We will be happy to help.
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