SA Immigration
 

Hi Folks,

Come December I will be walking the well beaten path too Maun from NZ in in the hope of putting my freshly minted CPL to work for the first time. Amongst others I have a couple of questions regarding border control in South Africa and Botswana.
My flight arrives in Joburg and as I dont want to fork out the extra for a return ticket will this be a problem? I figure as I am only transiting through there shouldnt be a hassle. I would like to be sure of this so if anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. Also, whats the drill in Botswana-I figure you dont want to be telling them you are there looking for work. Best just to say you are a tourist passing through? Any ideas anyone.

Cheers.

Be careful with that. I have done it a few times knowing Im not staying there, but if they want they can give you a problem.
Best bet is to have someone who can get you a ticket and run it down to JNB in time to get you out of jail.
I have a good Travel agent there who can do that if you need. Better to prepare than get caught up in the mess.
Believe it or not there are folks who do want to enter illegally, most are there now.

126.7 has a good point below. I just remembered I was asked that question in the U.K. on the way to JNB. Had an old return ticket with me to cover their questions. Again easier to be prepared than get caught in the mess

They wont let you on the aircraft from JNB to Maun without a return ticket or proof of residence in Botswana. Likewise I dont think the folks in NZ will let you fly to SA on a one-way ticket either without you having a residence permit for SA.

If they ask questions in Bots, say you're a tourist. You'll need a return ticket though. Its usually cheaper than a one way ticket.

I arrived here in december on a one-way ticket SYD-JHB-MUB and it wasnt at all a problem for me. No questions asked at all.

Maybe one of us missed it. Your showing JHB as a stop on a ticket somewhere else. The questions was with a ticket ending in JNB. Therein lies the problem. Most carriers will catch it first, as if Immigration catches it, they can get fined and/or are responsible to take you back...

It has been sometime since I was last with an airline, but I thought that you needed either a return ticket or sufficient funds for said ticket? (Could be wrong though.....) Also, your problem would lie more with the carrier than with immigration since they should check this prior to your departure. (They foot the bill if you arrive without proper documentation.)

Yep, some serious laws were bent here. So now you got unlimited residential freedom in Botswana?? Coool.......I think?!

Just be careful........

Im now here and working in Maun-one of the lucky ones-there are a few here that are struggling. As for arriving in Joburg-you definetely,if not a resident, need a ticket onwards or a return. As far as the ticket on to Maun from Joburg went, I only got a one way and it wasnt a problem.