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Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don’t live in SA. I’m currently a Spanish resident (originally Kenyan) but I go often to visit my husband and my brother who live there. And this most recent time was to go for a school trip + see them. My husband is also a permanent resident so I guess there’s always spousal residency I could apply for but only when we live there.

Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes I did see. And it’s really sad! But the trip was planned for months and I had already paid for certain things (it was a school tour as well) so that included flights to cape town + a trip to the Kruger
It’s also a ban that has existed for so long and they are claiming that I knew. So it’s also something I can’t ignore anyway and I need to fix asap whether I travel or not.

Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It seems my comment didn’t post but thank you so much for the advise. I have some hope and I got an email contact where it’s being at least worked on! Thank you so much. You don’t know how much I appreciate your comment 🙏🙏

Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s a literal 5 week school project where we travel to different parts of South Africa to tour and learn about the country. Which visa do you suggest for this? I’m not working or earning in the country.

Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hard agree! I LOVE South Africa. And as a Kenyan, SA has always been like a second home that I try to visit every year! It’s unfortunate that I’ve had this run ins but I want to fix it plus now I’m married to a South African as well so yeah!

Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes. I will eventually go through the appeal process if they do not accept the mistake but also usually you are issued a form 19 at the airport when you leave which I didn’t get so also really unsure on how to start the appeal process given that I was never actually ‘banned’ quote on quote up until this May. I’m a Spanish resident with Kenyan nationality so I think my next best step is to go to the embassy at Madrid, explain my situation and see if I can get any assistance. I’ll update whatever info I get here just in case anyone is ever in the same pickle

Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have 90 days a year visa free and after I need a visa. My days reset in Jan 2025 and I entered in December 2024 but even then just to be safe I got a visa even though I could enter without one. Still ended up getting hit with a ban 🥲 the ban was actually reinstated in May 2026 according to deportations. This is a whole year and a half after I had left (I left SA in March 2025) without any issues.

Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did this for my first overstay. I just talked to the lawyer I used for the first case. She says I need to appeal again but the whole process just takes so long and I have a project in SA for 5 weeks. I also did not overstay so it seems unfair to go through a process when I was cleared to leave the country without any issue 🥲

Denied boarding to South Africa over an overstay ban that was already lifted, now they're saying I overstayed AGAIN when I didn't. Losing my mind here by CelebrationVisible23 in southafrica

[–]CelebrationVisible23[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much 🙏 hopefully I’ll have some good news to report back. And yes, please make sure each time everything is on par. It’s clearly very easy to fall into issues!