I recently had to visit Kingdom of Swaziland for some business meetings. And it took me over a month to procure Visa, mostly because of lack of information about the consulate and the visa procedure.
Visa procurement was quite easy once I got clarity on the procedure. So, I am sharing the process here hoping that it will help someone like me.
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| Airlink: Only airline that flies to Manzini, Swaziland |
Do I need a Visa?
If you are an Indian Citizen then you do need a visa and must procure it before traveling.
For more information on countries exempted from visa required please visit the following link:
http://www.swazilandkualalumpur.org/consular_services/visa.php
Where do I apply for Visa?
Unfortunately Swaziland does not have consular presence in India. But the Swazi consulate at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (http://www.swazilandkualalumpur.org) is authorized to provide visa to nationals of Indian subcontinent (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal etc.).
If you have a contact in Swaziland, they can easily procure an entry permit (paper visa) from the local immigration office or Ministry of Home and send you a scanned copy. This entry permit is as good as a visa stamped in your passport. So you do not need to apply for visa.
Visa application process
If you have a contact in Swaziland, they can easily procure an entry permit (paper visa) from the local immigration office or Ministry of Home and send you a scanned copy. This entry permit is as good as a visa stamped in your passport. So you do not need to apply for visa.
Visa application process
The process is summarized here :
Once your documents are verified and Visa is approved. They will ask you to come to Kuala Lumpur with all the original documents and passport.
Try to reach the consulate in first half of the day to make sure that the passport is stamped on the same day.
The office is located quite close the popular tourist area KLCC that houses Petronas Twin towers. So, enjoy the time being a tourist.
What is the visa fee?:
Visa fee is $30 USD for single entry visa valid for 3 months. You would find fees for multiple entry visa on the application form. But the consulate gives only single entry visa. They would ask you to apply for multiple entry visa once you reach Swaziland.
How to get to Swaziland?
- Send scanned copy of required documents to the consulate in email.
- Consulate will very the documents and then inform you by email or phone and request you to come to Kuala Lumpur with the original documents and passport for visa stamping.
- Produce the original documents along with application form, photo and visa fee at the consulate.
- Passport is stamped on the same day if you submit it early in the day.
What are the documents required for Visa?
- Passport valid for at least 6 months and should have at least two empty pages
- 2 copies of application form
- Two passport size colour photographs
- Return air ticket (original confirmed)
- Invitation letter from the relevant authorities (for business visits)
Where do I send the scanned copy of documents?:
The emails to the official email id of the consulate did not work and emails bounced.
Currently (July 2017) you may email your queries and scanned copy of documents to the following nice ladies at consulate:
- Ms. Nombulelo Lushaba (lushabalelo@yahoo.com) and
- Ms. Daphne Joseph (daphne.joseph@gmail.com)
But the consulate staff is not stationed permanently there. So, you should call embassy and check with them about the person responsible for receiving visa applications.
Once your documents are verified and Visa is approved. They will ask you to come to Kuala Lumpur with all the original documents and passport.
Try to reach the consulate in first half of the day to make sure that the passport is stamped on the same day.
The office is located quite close the popular tourist area KLCC that houses Petronas Twin towers. So, enjoy the time being a tourist.
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| Petronas Twin Towers: Located within walking distance from Consulate of Swaziland |
What is the visa fee?:
Visa fee is $30 USD for single entry visa valid for 3 months. You would find fees for multiple entry visa on the application form. But the consulate gives only single entry visa. They would ask you to apply for multiple entry visa once you reach Swaziland.
How to get to Swaziland?
I am sure you know that Swaziland is small country and a neighbour to South Africa(SA). Its capital city is Mbabane and nearest international airport is at Manzini (Kind Mswati III international airport). It is almost 90 Kms from the capital city. But, don't worry, airport provides paid shuttle service to till Mbabane at regular intervals. The fee is only 50 Rands till Mbabane.
Transit at Johannesburg:
Manzini airport has connection to only one international destination, Johannesburg, SA. And only one airline, Airlink, flies there in partnership with South African Airways.
So make sure that the airline you are flying with is a partner to SA Airways and can check in your baggage all the way to Swaziland. This way you won't have to worry about collecting the baggage at Johannesburg to checkin again to Manzini. Else, you know that you would need Visa for South Africa to collect the baggage since the belts are located after passport control.
Do I need transit visa at Johannesburg to change planes for Swaziland?
You would find a lot of people asking this question on various forums. And many people would cite instances and regulatory notifications requiring transit visa. But, let me share the facts here:
You need a South African transit visa at Johannesburg only if:
You do not need a transit visa at Johannesburg airport to change planes for Swaziland. Simply rush to Terminal A (follow the International Connections sign). You will find that you need to go through passport control. But don't worry, they will simply put a transit stamp on your passport.
Let me know if you have any queries. I would try to answer from my experience.
Transit at Johannesburg:
Manzini airport has connection to only one international destination, Johannesburg, SA. And only one airline, Airlink, flies there in partnership with South African Airways.
So make sure that the airline you are flying with is a partner to SA Airways and can check in your baggage all the way to Swaziland. This way you won't have to worry about collecting the baggage at Johannesburg to checkin again to Manzini. Else, you know that you would need Visa for South Africa to collect the baggage since the belts are located after passport control.
Do I need transit visa at Johannesburg to change planes for Swaziland?
You would find a lot of people asking this question on various forums. And many people would cite instances and regulatory notifications requiring transit visa. But, let me share the facts here:
You need a South African transit visa at Johannesburg only if:
- You plan to come out of the airport
- You need to collect checkin baggage because it was not checkin directly to Swaziland.
- You plan to take land route to Swaziland.
You do not need a transit visa at Johannesburg airport to change planes for Swaziland. Simply rush to Terminal A (follow the International Connections sign). You will find that you need to go through passport control. But don't worry, they will simply put a transit stamp on your passport.
Let me know if you have any queries. I would try to answer from my experience.
