JOURNALIST VISA
What is it?
Foreign journalists who are seconded to South Africa by a foreign news agency or broadcaster can apply for a long-term visitor’s visa for a period of up to 3 years.
- The assignment must be confirmed by the foreign news agency or broadcaster on behalf of whom the journalist is sent to South Africa.
- After receiving the visa, foreign journalists should apply to be accredited by the Directorate for Media Engagement at the Department of Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
- Foreign correspondents may also register with the Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Southern Africa (FCASA).
- The journalist visa can be renewed from South Africa without limit, but does not allow the holder to apply for a change of status to a different visa type while in South Africa.
- Spouses and children can apply for matching dependant visas to accompany the main visa holder to South Africa
- The journalist visa does not allow the holder to apply for permanent residence status.
- The journalist visa is only required for assignments exceeding 3 months. Foreigners who will be visiting South Africa for a period not exceeding 3 months can instead apply for authorisation to conduct work on a visitor’s visa in terms of section 11(2) of the Immigration Act.