Yellow Fever List of Countries

What you need to know

When applying for a South African visa, there is a requirement for certain foreign nationals to submit proof of their vaccine card.

But what exactly is this and why do certain individuals need it when they come to visit, work or join the family in South Africa?

Today we discuss everything you need to know about the disease and endemic regions.

The Department of Home Affairs has this requirement set across all South Africa visa types.

What Is Yellow Fever Disease?

It is a viral disease (mosquito-borne illness) that is transmitted through infected mosquitoes (Aedes Aegypti Mosquito or Haemagogus Species mosquitoes) and yellow fever transmission happens when the infected mosquito bites a human.

What are the symptoms:

You will experience the following symptoms when bitten by an infected mosquito:

• Fever
• Muscle Pain (backaches)
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea or Vomiting

More information can be found here about the virus.

What Countries Are In The Yellow Fever Belt?

Yellow fever countries come mostly from Africa and South America.

Angola

Argentina

Benin

Bolivia

Brazil

Burkina Faso

Burundi

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Colombia

Congo

Cote d’Ivoire

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ecuador

Equatorial Guinea

Ethiopia

French Guyana

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Guinea-Bissau

Guyana

Kenya

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Rwanda

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Sudan

Suriname

Togo

Trinidad and Tobago

Uganda

Venezuela

Is South Africa In The Yellow Fever Belt?

No South Africa is not, but you are required to present your vaccine card when you get to South Africa and when applying for a South African visa or permit.

Many of the countries in Africa have the virus, so if you are passing through any endemic regions, please ensure that you have vaccination from an approved clinic as per the World Health Organization.

What Visas Require the Yellow Fever Card?
All visas require this vaccine card if you are coming or transiting through an endemic region.

• Business Visa
• Corporate Visa
• Critical Skills Visa
• General Work Visa
• Intra-Company Transfer Visa
• Life Partner Visa
• Permanent Resident Permit
• Relatives Visa
• Retirement Visa
• Spousal Visa
• Section 11(2) Work Permit South Africa
• Student Visa
• Visit Visa South Africa

The vaccine card is not needed if you are applying for a visa extension South Africa.

Is A Yellow Fever Certificate Required For A South Africa Visa?

You are only required to provide a vaccination verification if you are from a country or transiting through an endemic region.

Those who are not from or not travelling through an endemic region do not need to produce proof of vaccination.

Those who are required to provide a vaccine certificate must include this with their visa application. Failure to include this with your application will lead to a refusal of your visa.

How Can I Obtain A Yellow Fever Certificate Before My Trip To South Africa

The yellow 17D vaccine should be available through a registered clinic in your city or country. You can google yellow fever vaccine + your city name to get an approved clinic to administer your vaccine.

Your vaccine would last you a lifetime and you should keep your vaccine card safe for future travels.

Are There Any Specific Requirements For The Yellow Fever Certificate To Be Accepted For A South African Visa?

Yes, there is. You need to have received the vaccine 10 days before your departure as the vaccine is considered safe after 10 days. The vaccine should be administered by a vaccine-approved vaccination centre.

So before travelling to South Africa, ensure that your vaccination has been administered 10 days before your travel.

How Long Is The Yellow Fever Certificate Valid For And Does It Need To Be Renewed?

The vaccine is valid for life, so this means that you do not have to get a booster in future. Your certificate will be valid for life and you must keep your certificate safe so that you can use it when you need to travel.

Previously the vaccination was considered effective for ten years but the International Health Regulations changed the validity to lifetime. So no you do not have to renew the card again.

Can I Get A Yellow Fever Vaccination In South Africa Or Do I Need To Get It Before My Trip?

You must obtain one from your country before travelling to South Africa. You can obtain one in South Africa if you plan on visiting a country that is known to be high-risk.

Non-exempt visa countries who have to apply for a visa before coming to South Africa will have to submit their card as proof. This is a set requirement for those foreign nationals who are living in an endemic region.

Are There Any Exemptions Or Alternative Proof For Those Who Cannot Get A Yellow Fever Vaccination?

Anyone older than 9 months must get the vaccination when applying for a visa for South Africa and if they have travelled through or coming from an endemic region.

The following people are exempt from the vaccination:

• Children younger than 9 months
• People who are older than 60 years of age
• Breastfeeding or pregnant women
• Weakened immune system
• You are allergic to eggs

It is important to remember that you still have to obtain a card from a vaccination-approved centre stating that you are exempted.

You are required to report any symptoms like fever to the South African health authorities and you will be placed under surveillance.

What Are The Consequences Of Not Having A Valid Yellow Fever Certificate When Applying For A South African Visa?

Two things could happen:

• Your visa will be rejected if you have not included the vaccine card with your visa application. This is only for non-exempt foreign nationals.

• If you are from a visa exempt  country for South Africa and you are coming from a country or travelling through a country with an outbreak when you arrive at a South African immigration port of entry then you will either be denied entry or you would have to quarantine until your vaccine card is valid or for not more than 6 days.

If there is no port health office at the time, then you will be refused entry into the country.

Are There Any Specific Instructions Or Documents Required When Submitting A Yellow Fever Certificate With A South African Visa Application?

The vaccine that was administered to you must be approved by the World Health Organization and should have been administered 10 days before your departure.

Can I Get A Yellow Fever Certificate At The South African Embassy Or Consulate In My Country?

No, you cannot obtain it there. You must get one from an approved clinic as per the World Health Organization regulations.

The South African embassy, consulate or diplomatic mission will deny your request.

How Can I Verify If My Yellow Fever Certificate Is Valid And Accepted By the South African Department Of Home Affairs?

If you have obtained your vaccine and certificate from an approved clinic then it will be accepted by the South African embassy.

If you obtained it from a clinic which is not approved then your visa application will be declined.

We hope this has helped you and answered your questions. If you need visa assistance then you are most welcome to try our free assessment.