FRANCE has further simplified
the visa application procedures
for South African nationals,
with a turnaround time of
48 hours from application to
collection.
Visa applicants holding
a South African passport,
who apply with all required
documents, will now see their
short-stay Schengen visa –
including business, tourist
and family visits of up to 90
days – delivered in 48 hours:
two business days from the
time the application is lodged
at Capago in Cape Town
and Johannesburg until the
passport is made available
for collection. For the Durban
branch, the 48 hours does
not include the transfer from
Durban/Johannesburg/Durban.
Previously, approval could take
up to 15 days.
This measure follows an
announcement in November
last year that South African
applicants can now apply for
short- or long-stay visas
for France, regardless of
their residence address, at any
of the three Capago premises
in Johannesburg, Durban
and Cape Town. Visas are
processed and issued by one
of the two French consulates
in Johannesburg or Cape Town.
Applicants should also note
that they will now be required
to undergo a security search at
Capago premises, following a
request by the French Consular
Authorit .