Formalities

French nationals holding an electronic or biometric passport with at least two blank pages and valid for at least 30 days after the date of return, as well as a plane ticket, are generally exempt from the visitor visa requirement for a period of 90 days. However, this exemption is currently being withdrawn indefinitely because of the Covid 19 pandemic.

For the latest official information: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/types-of-visas

The procedure for obtaining a visa for South Africa can be complex and depends on the visitor's situation. There are several types of visa, the main ones being :

• The Visitor visa is intended for international travellers who have a permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourist or business reasons for a period of 90 days or less.
• The "Business visa" for foreigners planning to invest in the South African economy by setting up a business or investing in an existing business in the country.
• The "Work visa" issued to foreigners in cases where South African citizens with the required skills are not available for appointment.
• The General Work Visa is valid for the duration of the employment contract or a period not exceeding five years.
• The "Intra company transfer work visa" for the transfer of employees of multinational companies is issued for a period not exceeding four years and cannot be renewed or extended.
• The "Corporate visa", which allows a legal entity to employ a predetermined number of workers, issued for a period not exceeding three years.

Embassy

Embassy of South Africa
Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.15pm (9am to 12pm for visas).
59, quai d'Orsay, 75343 Paris Cedex 7 Metro: Alma-Marceau, Invalides or Franklin D.-Roosevelt. RER C: Pont de l'Alma or Invalides. Tel: 01 53 59 23 23. Internet: www.afriquesud.net

Compulsory vaccinations

Vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, whooping cough and hepatitis B are recommended. You should also be vaccinated against hepatitis A and typhoid. Vaccination against yellow fever is not compulsory, but is essential in some neighbouring countries. The rabies vaccine is highly recommended for extended stays.

Currency and exchange rates

The currency is the rand (R or ZAR), divided into 100 cents.
In September 2020, €1 was worth around R19.50.

Time difference

There is no time difference between France and South Africa in summer, +1 hour compared with Paris during winter time.

Language

The most widely spoken language in South Africa is Zulu (23%), followed by Xhosa (16%) and Afrikaans (14%). English is the fourth most widely spoken language in the country (9.6%), but is understood in urban areas and in the business environment. It is the dominant language in government and the media.

How to get there

Cape Town has an international airport, 20 kilometres away and half an hour from the city centre.

Air France operates five direct 11 a.m. day flights a week and daily 3 p.m. night flights via Johannesburg. For its part, KLM offers direct 11am daytime flights from Amsterdam.

Air France/KLM
Bidait Ticket Counter, near counters 1-16 of the International Departures Hall, Cape Town Airport
Tel.: +27 21 936 3360

British Airways 12-hour night flights from London Heathrow
Tel.: +27 11 921 0222

Lufthansa 12-hour flights from Frankfurt
Menzies Aviation, Unit 6
Aircargo Centre
Cape Town international Airport
Tel: +27 11 975 8180

Several routes from France to Cape Town are available with stopovers in Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines), Istanbul (Turkish Airlines), Doha (Qatar Airways) and Dubai with Emirates.

Practical services

Offices and coworking

Ideas Cartel
This group cleverly combines hotel accommodation with a range of work spaces and associated office space. Three addresses in Cape Town:

• The Old Foundry, 1 Sand Hill Rd, Green Point, Cape Town, 8001+27 21 824 1782
• 113 Loop St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001+27 21 276 3989
• 71 Waterkant St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001+27 21 824 1781
  Internet : www.ideascartel.com

WeXork 80 Strand

This spacious venue offers both coworking and private office space.
80 Strand St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001.
Tel: +27 87 550 34 56.
Internet : www.wework.com

Work&Co

Coworking space also offering private offices and meeting rooms.
11th-14th Floor Touchstone House, 7 Bree Street, Cape Town, 8001
Tel: +27 21 202 6040 .
Internet: www.workandco.co.za

Consultancy and translation agency

Expatriation and immigration advice

Sliver Tree
Lionel Chantren
Tel.: 082 264 5769

Translation services

Laurence Peillex-Delphes
Tel: +27 (0)79 249 38 38

Karen Hallez
Tel: +27 (0)61 488 7132

Sylvie Barthes-Hausen
Tel: +27 (0)82 843 6060

Rentals

Smartcarhire
61 Bree street
Tel: +27 (0)72 179 4953
Email : info@smartcarhire.com
info@smartcarhire.com

Business information

French Embassy in South Africa
250 Melk Street- Nieuw Muckleneuk. 081 Pretoria
Phone: +27 12 425 1600

Consulate General of Cape Town
Consul General: Mr Laurent Amar
78 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens - P.O. Box 1702. 8001 Cape Town
Tel: +27 (21) 48 85 080 Fax: +27 (21) 42 61 996
E-mail : consulat.le-cap@diplomatie.gouv.fr
Internet: consulfrance-lecap.org

Business France Office

A member of the French diplomatic services, the Business France office is located in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Sales Director/Advisor, Axel Baroux
Contact: axel.baroux@businessfrance.fr
Export Advisor - Industry & Cleantech, Thomas Curelli
Contact: thomas.curelli@businessfrance.fr
Export Advisor - Tech & Services Department - Market Access, Blandine Aigron
Contact: blandine.aigron@businessfrance.fr
Lifestyle - Health & Special Events Export Advisor, Maxime Housard
Contact: maxime.housard@businessfrance.fr
Export Advisor - Agriculture & Agri-Food Department, Camille Tricoire
Contact: camille.tricoire@businessfrance.fr
Investment Officer, Clément Sarradin
Contact: clement.sarradin@businessfrance.fr

Address:
54 Wierda Road West. Inanda Greens Business Park
Augusta House 6. Sandton 2196

Postal address: PO BOX 651048 BENMORE 2010
Phone: +27 (0)11 303 7150

Franco-South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Address: Inanda Business Park, Block A Albertyn Avenue , Sandton, Johannesburg
Phone: +27 14 940 0083
Email : fsacci@fsacci.co.za
Internet: www.fsacci.co.za