ALGERIA Issuing Authorities Embassy of the Democratic People s Republic of Algeria 950 Arcadia Street, Hatfield,Pretoria 0001 P O Box 57480 Arcadia 0007 Tel: +27(0) 12 3425074/5/7 Fax: +27(0) 12 3426479 E-mail: algemb.pretoria@gmail.com http://www.embassyofalgeria-rsa.org Consular hours: Mon, Tue Wed, Thur 09h00-12h00 http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 1 of 9
Visa Requirements Visas are required by South African, British and all other passport holders. REQUIREMENTS: 1 Application form which must be legible and fully completed in capital letters with signature Copy of itinerary or airtickets 2 Passport size photos (colour) Copy of confirmed and pre-paid accommodation BUSINESS: A letter of invitation from the company in Algeria, (NO emails accepted) and a letter of invitaiton from the company in South Africa - letters to be on the company letterhead. NB NB The date of entry on the visa application form must correspond with the date of entry on the Invitation letter Valid passport (valid at least 6 months) If visiting friends or family, a faxed letter of invitation from friend or family is required, signed by the Algerian Authority. Copy of passengers ID Once all the requirements are submitted, a copy of airticket MAY be requested. NOTE: A RECEIPT WILL BE ISSUED UPON SUBMISSION WITH THE DATE OF COLLECTION. THIS RECEIPT IS TO BE PRODUCED ON COLLECTION. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 2 of 9
Visa Processing Time Minimum of 10 working days after receiving passports. NO URGENT VISAS. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 3 of 9
Visa Validity Tourist visa : up to 30 days Business visa : As per invitation letter from the company. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 4 of 9
Visa Cost Free for S.A. passport holders. NB: A receipt will be issued upon submission with the date of collection. This receipt is to be produced on collection. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 5 of 9
SA Representative SA Embassy Tel: + 213 2148 4418/82/89/98 Fax: +213 2148 4419 E-mail: sae@assila.net Web: www.saealgiers.com http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 6 of 9
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover) Hepatitis A & B, Tetanus, Polio, Rabies, Typhoid Some fine resorts lie along the coast within easy reach of Algiers. Zeralda is a popular beach resort with a holiday village and a replica nomad village. The Turquoise Coast is also close by and offers rocky coves and long beaches, equipped with sports, cruise and watersports facilities. The Sidi Fredj peninsula has a marina, an open-air theatre and many amenities, including sporting facilities. Along the coast from Oran, which is primarily a business centre and an oil depot there are a number of resorts, many with good hotels. The Sahara Desert is the most striking and also most forbidding feature of the country. The special attraction of the holy town of Beni-Isguen, not far from Ghardaia, is its permanent auction market. Capital: Currency: Language: Algiers (ALG) Algeria Dinar (DZD) Arabic and Berber, but French is widely used for official transactions. English is only spoken in major tourist regions. Dialling code from SA: + 213 Time Zones: Public Holidays 2017: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) Jan 1; May 1; Jun 26, 27; Jul 5; Sep 2-3, 22, 30; Nov 1; Dec 1 Side of the Road: Best Time to Go: Best for: Right March April and October November. Avoid the summer months (May September) due to the heat. March April and October November. Avoid the summer months (May September) due to the heat. Historical sites http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 7 of 9
Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Travel Tips / Warnings: Duty Free: Prohibited Imports: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. The European two-pin plug is standard. Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. Outside of the main towns, water may be contaminated. Bottled water is available. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities in the urban areas, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. Doctors will require cash payment regardless of whether you have health insurance. Outside of the urban areas, medical facilities are more limited. Algeria is a predominantly Muslim society and respect should be shown to religious customs. Women should dress more conservatively in the rural areas outside of Algiers. The drinking of alcohol is frowned upon. There are severe penalties with being associated with the black market, particularly for currency exchange and electronics. Homosexuality is illegal. Photography of military and police personnel and installations is illegal. Credit cards have limited acceptance in Algeria, cash is the preferred method of payment. There are a few ATM s in the urban area, but they are unreliable. Driving in the desert will require a permit and preparation beforehand, but is not recommended due to high incidents of kidnap. Visits are not recommended during Ramadan. Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. Protests and political gatherings should be avoided. The following goods may be imported into Algeria by persons over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco. 1L of spirits or 2L of wine. 250ml of eau de toilette or 50ml of perfume. Goods to the value of DZD50,000 Prohibited imports to Algeria include arms and ammunition, narcotics and counterfeit goods. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 8 of 9
Prohibited Exports: Prohibited exports from Algeria include gold exceeding 150g in weight, firearms, ammunition and narcotics http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2569-algeria-country-guide&print=1 Page 9 of 9