Getting your personal finances visa-ready
PLANNING AN overseas trip? Many countries require you to have a visa—a document that’s either physically attached to your passport, or in the case of an e-visa, linked electronically—that entitles you to enter the country you plan to visit. This is issued by the relevant embassy or consulate.
Ahead of applying for a visa, it’s crucial to ensure that your finances are in order. Overseas travel is extremely expensive for South Africans, due to the weak rand and high cost of living in popular foreign destinations. A two-week trip to France, for example, can cost R48 000 to R91 000, or more.
Expenses include a round-trip flight (R12 000 to R20 000), accommodation (R1 500 to R3 000 daily), food and eating out (R500 to R1 000 daily), transport (R3 000 to R5 000), and sightseeing and activities (R5 000 to R10 000).
Because travel is a significant investment for a middle-income earner, it’s vital to ensure your travel plans are not scuppered at the last minute. You don’t want to jeopardise the experience of a lifetime by having your visa rejected or delayed before departure, simply because you’ve…
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