MatthewCurrie93

Hi guys,
Im from the UK and me and my Dad just need a little help with a couple of things for me going to work for 2 month in Cape Town in January.

The reason for me going to Cape Town is to extend my training for 2 months of Rope Access and also general Oil rig roustabout training and general awareness.

What type of visa would i need for this? how would i go applying for one?#any do's or don't do's?

All your feedback is much much appreciated!

Thankyou

pomE

I guess you'll need to apply for a working visa thru the High Comission in London. I'd get onto it quick because as you'll no doubt soon learn, it generally takes x10 longer to get anything done where South Africans are concerned!

Cape Town is a breathtaking place though. I was lucky enough to live n work there for three years.

Do you know whereabout you'll be working?

MatthewCurrie93

Thanks for the reply

I'm not sure we're about I'm be working yet, probably on a port or something!
Really nervous to go over

Having trouble contacting the embassy they never pick up the phone!!!!

Thanks

ededed

Don't be nervous, it will be a fantastic experience...and get used to never having the phone picked up. That's standard operating procedure. As is going to see someone for a meeting and them either not turning up, or using the meeting to check their phone for messages while you are trying to talk to them. TIA.

One word of caution - the ports are about to embark on a strike - so just be aware that things may be a little unusual for a month or two. Good luck.

MatthewCurrie93

Hi thanks for the reply,

I have all my flights booked for the 2nd January 2013, so its all becoming a reality now! Ive just heard alot of people saying its dangerous and I wont be able to go out of a nigh time? Or is this just my mum worrying

Just tried ringing again and no answer, so i left an answer message. Shall i keep ringing?

Thankyou

Tegwyn

Your mother has legitimate reason for being worried. It is a dangerous country and you should heed the warning of locals on what to watch out for. When your police force is useless to corrupt, you have to know that the rules are very warped in terms of law , order and security. Can be a fun experience but do not for one moment let your guard down. Things change so very rapidly that you need your vigilance.

ededed

Yes, keep ringing. You might get lucky. Of course, the person who picks up the phone may not know anything, but its about your only hope.

And thousands of people go out at night, especially at weekends. Keep to the right areas and you will be fine. Don't drink and drive, keep out of the townships and you'll have a blast.

MatthewCurrie93

Brilliant, i cant wait to go! Just worried about this visa because i need it before i go and i dont seem to be getting anywere with it

thankyou for paying so much interest!!

Matthew Currie

ededed

No worries, happy to help.

Are you being paid for this work? Are you being paid in SA? If not, have you checked with the organizers of the training that you need a visa?

A tourist visa lasts 3 months(at least it used to) and can be obtained at the airport. Just make sure you don't stay past the expiry date or they will never let of back in....

Good luck...

Pablo

A lamb to the slaughter. They are South African bureaucrats. They don't answer the phone. Welcome to the nightmare of SA bureaucracy.

ededed

At least on the phone you can imagine them actually working. When you go to a home affairs office and see the reality, you will begin to lose all hope.

MatthewCurrie93

They answered
The woman sounded like she had no personality, I would have got more conversation out of my wall!

Yeah because I'm getting paid i will need a working visa, so I can get all relevant documents on there website!

So excited wahoo

ededed

Well done! Good luck getting the documents. Make sure you have them all, and have the originals. Expect to be asked for something they didn't mention on their website! It's a form of bingo they like to play

uk_vette

.
Yep, dangerous at night, and at day.
Seriously, you should be taking extra vigilant precautions.
If you haven't been there before, then take all the warnings seriously.
Tourists stand out a mile, and you will be targeted for your money or jewelry.

As for the phones not getting answered, that's the South Africa "new " mentality.
You see, it makes all them shiny skins, feel more important.
When in fact, they just can't do the job they were employed for, but only got the job, by the colour of their skin.

Do you really have to go? is there no where else?

Cape Town is pretty, but getting to be just as dangerous as that Jo'burg, crime infested place.

vette

pomE

I don't buy all this scare-mongering at all.

I managed to live in Cape Town for nearly three years without incident. I have family over there, and some UK ex'pat friends and none of them have had any serious trouble- certainly no more than one would experience here in the UK, or any other UK city for that matter.

If you think about it logically, the huge crime statistics are heavily skewed because the majority of the crime is committed in the townships where the majority of the black/ coloured population have to live. Thus you see terrifying percentages of murder, rape etc etc.

I'm not saying it's 100% safe- it isn't, but then where is these days??? I can honestly say I felt as safe, if not safer in Cape Town than I did in say....Manchester. The city centre can be a bit edgy after dark, but just make sure you don't walk about on your own and don't take short-cuts. The muggers do prey on backpackers/ tourists in the CBD who stray off the usual ant trails between the V&A Waterfront and the CBD. Oh, and Walking about on Table Mtn on your own isn't recommended neither. The bustling area at the cable stop is fine, but some of the back country walks can be a bit dodgey if you are alone.

Pick the area you live carefully. Avoid the townships. Don't flaunt your gadgets/ wealth. Enjoy!

The bureaucratic nonsense and general attitude of public sector workers is far more terrifying than any crime statistic IMO......