This evening on our educational feature we look at how to prepare for a successful visa application. 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 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. For example, a two-week trip to France, can cost R48,000-R91,000, or more. Expenses include a round-trip flight (R12,000-R20,000), accommodation (R1,500-R3,000 daily), food and eating out (R500-R1,000 daily), transport (R3,000- 5,000), and sightseeing and activities (R5,000-R10,000).

Because travel is a significant investment for a middle-income earner, it’s vital to ensure your travel plans are not ruined at the last minute. So, Sarah Nicholson, operations manager of JustMoney.co.za, joins us to talk about the do’s and don’ts of applying for a visa.