VISA DURATION /STAY IN THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI

If the names of country of origin is not listed amongst member countries requiring visa to enter the Kingdom of Eswatini, it means they need not to apply for visas.

Currently in the Kingdom of Eswatini there are no countries which are required to apply for visas but exempted from visa fees. However the Ministry of Home Affairs exempts visa payments for officials visiting Swaziland on official local government duty, United Nations Passport holders, delegates entering the country to execute official duty with His Majesty King Mswati III Office.

(Note: If your visit would exceed thirty days and you had acquired visa to enter the country or if you want to travel to Eswatini to study or to work, you will need to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit instead of an entry visa.  Requirements for a permit is not the same with entry visa).

Yellow fever certificate is required only if applicant passing through yellow fever area before entering Eswatini.

How do I get a Eswatini (Swazi) Visa?

The Kingdom of Eswatini entry visa applications are dealt with directly at the Ministry of Home Affairs Headquarters or alternatively at the country’s missions and representative offices.

The difference between a Swazi Visa and Permit?

It is important to understand that a Kingdom of Eswatini visa is only used for tourists, volunteers, interns and business visitors.
Generally a Eswatini visa is not appropriate for those wishing to immigrate to Eswatini. Prospective immigrants almost certainly need to apply for a permit under the temporary and/or permanent residency criteria.

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR A SWAZI VISA?

The Kingdom of Eswatini visas are required by certain tourists, business visitors, interns and volunteer workers to enter and stay in Eswatini for a period not more than one month upon entry. Whether you need a visa or not to enter and stay in Eswatini as a tourist depends upon which country you are from.

ADVISORY TO ALL CLIENTS

- All clients would be advised clearly that entry visas refer to the permission that must be sought by tourists and those wishing to take up some form of activity to enter and stay in a country.

- It is further proposed that all clients would be informed upon application that the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini retains the right to decide who may or may not enter its country and possession of a  Eswatini visa does not guarantee you admission into the Kingdom. As per provisions of the country’s Immigration Act it means that the visa would allow one to travel to the Kingdom of Eswatini and report to the Immigration Officer at the port of entry and the Immigration Officer will then ratify the tourist ability to comply with the requirements of the country’s Immigration Act. It should be noted that by holding a Swazi Visa it should indicate that proper screening has taken place to ensure that the only ‘desirable’ persons enter the Kingdom.

It should be upon the Immigration officer to caution the tourist to withhold his sole intention into the country (as stated from application letter) and the amount of time to be spent in the country should be in accordance with the Immigration Act.

Transit Visas

All applicants who apply for visas that they should indicate in their application that they will transit through the country and there should be a clear reason of why the country was being used as a transit area. Otherwise those who do not indicate would then be returned back to the point of entry they used when entering Eswatini.

Visa Upon Arrival

Following the current piloting of the e-visa issuance in the Kingdom of Eswatini the issuance of visa upon arrival should be suspended as it cleary does not conform with the provisions of the visa issuance system provided by the Government Terminal System. It is proposed that all people intending to enter the country visas would be issued and affixed to a passport before departing on a journey to the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Immigration Officers are required to refuse entry to someone intending to enter Eswatini without a visa and should be quickly placed upon a return flight/ transportation.

VISA REQUIREMENTS

Ministry of Home Affairs consider improving the standards by requiring clients to provide the following information together with the application forms:

• Passports must contain at least 2 (one) unused pages for entry/departure endorsements (sometimes referred to as visa page).
• Payment of the prescribed fee, if applicable.
• Signed statement and/or documentation confirming purpose and duration of visit.
• Two (2) identity photographs.
• Proof of financial means in the form of:
  • bank statements
  • salary advices
  • undertaking(s) by the host(s) in the Kingdom of Eswatini
  • bursaries
  • medical cover
  • or cash available, including credit cards or travellers' cheque (to cover the living expenses during the sojourn in the Kingdom of Eswatini).

• Applicants traveling by air must be in possession of:

• • a return or onward ticket or
  • proof of sufficient funds or
  • lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value to such a ticket.

The department of immigration/ foreign mission representative or representative requires the original passport but will accept applications by third parties such as travel agents, immigration practitioners or courier services.