Returning to South Africa on a South African passport?

Question

Hi, Im returning to SA on a SA passport (ie my ticket is one way). My passport expires in 6 months and I will be travelling when it expires in 4 months. I hear that your passport needs to be valid for 6 months after departure on some sites, on others it says 30 days. But Im assuming (hoping) this is for travellers on other passports? if anyone can shed any light on the subject or has travelled themselves on an almost expired passport with no problems, would be much appreciated. Please dont suggest I phone the Embassy... :-) as its just recorded calls for booking appointments and almost impossible to just get information. Many thanks

Answer 1

You could also email them and clarify that with the SA Home affairs:

http://www.home-affairs.gov.za/contact.a...

I had a query once, and it took about a week to get a reply (fairly quick ?)

Answer 2

If you're entering the country on an SA passport you should be fine.

The reason most countries require 6 months valid passports is so that people don't travel to the country and have their passports expire, stranding them there. That becomes a burden on the government and an immigration risk.

As you're entering with a SA passport they don't care about how long it is valid after, because you're returning home from abroad.