Internationally?
TITLE: Can I Travel Internationally While Under Debt Review? | NDRC | META: Debt review does not legally prevent international travel or affect your passport. Learn the practical financial considerations when travelling under debt review.
Debt review does not legally prevent you from travelling internationally or affect the validity of your South African passport. No provision in the NCA or any other South African statute restricts international travel based on debt review status.
Your passport is issued under the South African Citizenship Act and the South African Passport and Travel Documents Act. Debt review is a civil financial arrangement and has no bearing on your citizenship rights, including the right to hold a valid passport and travel internationally.
Practical considerations when travelling under debt review:
• Bank accounts and card access: while under debt review, your ability to access revolving credit facilities for travel is restricted. Debit cards and funds in your bank account remain accessible.
• Currency and foreign exchange: you can purchase foreign currency and use debit cards abroad. Debt review does not restrict foreign exchange purchases within SARB limits.
• Credit card access abroad: if your credit cards were included in debt review and the accounts are frozen, you will not be able to use them internationally. Pre-paid travel cards loaded with rands are an alternative.
• Garnishee orders: if you have emolument attachment orders against your salary, these continue to be deducted regardless of whether you are travelling.
• International credit applications: if you plan to apply for credit or banking facilities in a foreign country, your South African credit record is generally not visible to overseas lenders. Each country has its own credit reporting system.
After debt review removal, none of these restrictions apply. You regain full access to credit facilities, credit cards, and all normal financial services.