South Africa
Last update 07 April 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 2: Increased attention (please be informed in detail about the current situation in the country)
2
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The Republic of South Africa
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Pretoria, The Republic of South Africa
Address: 1071 Standza Bopape str. (former "Church street"),
0083 Hatfield, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa
Telephone: +27 12 342 37 20
Fax: +27 12 342 37 21
Out-of-hours hotline: +27 79 893 7336
Office hours: Mon - Fri, 08.00 - 16.30 pm
Consular service reception hours: Mon - Fri, 09:00 - 12:00 h., booking in advance is necessery
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.mfa.bg/embassies/southafrica
The Consular Section to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Pretoria is open for citizens for submission of applications for Bulgarian ID documents, visas, and for document certifications from Monday to Friday between 9:00 and 12:00 o`clock, with a prior appointment.
For collection – from Monday to Friday between 13:30 and 14:30 o`clock. No prior appointment is needed.
For information and appointments you may call the Embassy every working day between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM on phone number +27 12 342 3720. You may also send your inquiries to e-mail: [email protected]
In urgent situations outside the opening hours, on public holidays and weekends Bulgarian citizens can contact the Consular Section on cell phone number: +2779 893 7336.
Attention!
The Consular Office of the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria can be contacted by any Bulgarian citizens in need, located in the territory of any of the neighbouring countries: Lesotho, Swaziland, Bostwana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, the islands of Comoros, Mauritius and Madagascar.
Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Sofia
Address: 1000 Sofia, 26 “Bacho Kiro” str.
Telephone: +359 2 939 50 15
Fax: +359 2 939 50 17
Hours: 8:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Consular Section: Monday and Thursday 10:00 to 12:00 a.m.
E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
General information
general information
Local currency
South African Rand (ZAR)
1 EUR ≈ 10 ZAR
Interesting facts
The Republic of South Africa (RSA) is located in the southernmost part of the African continent. It is bordered by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and the kingdoms of Swaziland and Lesotho are internal states in its territory.
The population includes over 50 ethnic groups.
There are eleven official languages in the country.
Use of English is widespread.
Crime and security
Crime rate in South Africa is very high, especially in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and other big cities.
Customs requirements
Foreign persons may import duty free personal belongings and sports equipment, up to 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars, 250 grams of tobacco, up to 2 litres of wine, 1 litre of another alcohol, up to 50 ml of perfume and 250 ml eau de cologne, souvenirs and items of total value up to 3,000 rand. Youths under 18 are not allowed to import alcohol and cigarettes.
It is forbidden to import drugs, weapons, explosives, pornographic literature.
The exportation of ivory items, lion and crocodile skin, amounting to over 500 rand in local currency is prohibited.
Expensive items, such as jewellery, cameras, watches, etc. need to be declared upon entry, to enable duty-free export from South Africa.
For more information see HERE.
Road traffic
Traffic direction in the country is opposite to traffic direction in Bulgaria, i.e. there is left0hand traffic. Local car drivers mostly drive carefully. Road sign (I) recommends driving with car doors locked and increased caution at a “Stop” sign and traffic lights.
Healthcare
The level of health care is high but as services are paid, it is essential to have a good medical insurance coverage.
AIDS is widespread.
Seasonal outbreaks of malaria and cholera can occur (in the north-eastern parts of the country - Kruger National Park).
Travel papers and visas
*Holders of VALID double or multiple entry Schengen visas and residence permits and holders of VALID double or multiple entry visas/residence permits for Switzerland/Liechtenstein DO NOT NEED a short term visa for Bulgaria.
These holders may stay in Bulgaria visa free within the validity, allowed stay and number of entries of the above said visas/permits for up to 90 days within 180- day period.
* Holders of VALID visas and residence permits issued by Croatia, Cyprus and Romania DO NOT NEED a short term visa for Bulgaria.
These holders may stay in Bulgaria visa free within the validity, allowed stay and number of entries of the above said visas/permits for up to 90 days within 180- day period.
If you apply for a Bulgarian D type visa, we recommend that you contact the Consular Office of the Embassy to consult your specific case.
Competitive service
Certification and Legalisation
The Consulate Office at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria is authorised to provide limited notarial services, such as certification of signatures on private documents (declarations, powers of attorney) that are not subject to registration.
The Consular Office can perform these services only if the document is in Bulgarian and is intended to serve before the competent authorities in Bulgaria.
If citizens want the documents to be processed the same day, they need to pay a double fee.
Where the document refers to real property, two originals of the text of the document are required, one of which will be kept in the archives of the Consulate.
Documents issued by South African institutions are recognised in Bulgaria only when provided with an original “Apostille” by the Consular Section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa (Telephone: 012 351 - 1232). Documents thus issued, accompanied by an “Apostille”, must be translated into Bulgarian. The translation is done by translation agencies authorised this activity and is then to be endorsed in the “Certification and Legalisation” Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria.
The Consular Section at the Embassy of Bulgaria in Pretoria does not make translations of documents.
Documents issued by the Bulgarian institutions are recognised in South Africa only when provided with an original “Apostille”. In Bulgaria, an “Apostille” can be stamped by the “Certification and Legalisation” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Justice, depending on the document. Then, the document must be translated into English and the translation must be certified by the “Certification and Legalisation” Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Civil status
Bulgarian consular officers have the powers to carry out actions on civil registration of Bulgarian citizens.
- Birth certificate
At birth in South Africaof a child with at least one parent - Bulgarian citizen, the parent must obtain a unabridged birth certificate, issued by the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa. After receiving the document, it is to be legalised with an Apostille by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republicof South Africa.
The birth certificate, complete with an “Apostille”, should be submitted before the municipality of domicile of the mother in Bulgaria, respectively - the municipality of domicile of the father, if the mother is Bulgarian. This can be done in person, by proxy or through official channels - through the Embassy in Pretoria.
- Death Certificate
In case of death of a Bulgarian citizen in South Africa, relatives should obtain a unabridged death certificate, issued by the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa.
When relatives of the deceased are in Bulgaria, the Embassy in Pretoriaprovides assistance for the issuance of this document by local authorities.
After receiving the document, it is to be legalised with an Apostille by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republicof South Africa.
The death certificate, equipped with an "Apostille", should be submitted before the municipality of domicile of the deceased in Bulgaria. This can be done in person - by relatives of the deceased, or through official channels - through the embassy in Pretoria.
- Marriage Certificate
South African legislation allows foreign nationals to enter into marriage with local citizens, and South African citizens may enter into marriage with foreign citizens before an authorised representative of the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa under certain conditions.
After marriage, the Bulgarian citizen needs to obtain a unabridged marriage certificate, issued by the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa.
After receiving the document, it is to be legalised with an Apostille by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republicof South Africa.
The marriage certificate, complete with an “Apostille”, should be submitted before the municipality of domicile of the Bulgarian spouse of a South African citizen. This can be done in person, by proxy or through official channels - through the Embassy in Pretoria.
Detailed information on the requirements of local authorities for issuance of the above documents is available on the website of the Department of Home Affairs of South Africa HERE.