1

It is supposed to be a maximum of 90 days in any 12 month period.

I have friends who left after 80 days hoping to do a visa run but they were only allowed the remaining 10 days on re-entry. I imagine some people get lucky when it's not noticed but I don't think you could count on it.

2

Hi there!

Sounds like you guys have an amazing trip planned! 5 months is a wonderful amount of time to see the country. What do you plan to do while you are here?

Yes - I live in the Kruger area, and a lot of the people here are volunteers/long stay tourists. They usually leave the country to visit nearby Mozambique 2-3 days before their visa expires, and return about 2-3 days after it has expired. But please note that I am not advising this, as I have not done this myself - It is just what the people around here do.

Otherwise - Are you are here for a particular reason? Or just visiting/touring? As there are different types of visas you may be able to get, or have enough time to properly apply for an extended tourist visa.

All the best,
Jacqui

3

My understanding is that if you leave and re-enter before your visa expires (eg 80 days like #1's friends) then they don't give you a new 90 day visa- you just get stamped in on the old one.

You have to time it so you leave before the visa expires and re-enter after it has expired. I know people who have done it.

I have extended a visa at the Home Affairs office in Durban (in 2010). It wasn't that hard but it did cost 400 Rand. I only needed a few extra days (dumb planning on my part) and doing a visa run didn't fit with my plans and would have ended up costing more than the fee.

4

Thanks all.
Jacqui, we will be backpacking for the most part. It is not business, just traveling.

5

Apply for a 6 month visa at an SA embassy in your country.