July 16, 2026

Travel Requirement for General Conference – SARS Online Traveler Declaration

If you are traveling to Johannesburg for the 2026 Global Methodist Church General Conference, please be aware of a new requirement from the South African government that took effect on July 1, 2026. All travelers to South Africa must complete the free SARS Online Traveler Declaration.

The Most Important Thing to Know

You CANNOT complete the Online Traveler Declaration until within 24 hours of your flight to South Africa.

Please do not try to complete it days or weeks before your trip, as it will not be accepted.

Instead:

• Complete your declaration within 24 hours of departing on the last flight that takes you directly to South Africa.
• If your trip includes connections (for example, Lubbock → Dallas → London → Johannesburg), complete the declaration within 24 hours before your flight from London to Johannesburg (your final flight into South Africa).

What You Need to Do

• Within 24 hours before your final flight to South Africa:
• Complete the free Online Traveler Declaration.
• Save or print your confirmation.
• Keep the confirmation with you on your phone or as a printed copy while you travel.

If You Forget

Don't worry. You will not be denied entry into South Africa if you have not completed the declaration before you arrive. Airport officials can help you complete it upon arrival. However, completing it before your flight will help make your arrival much quicker and easier.

Need Help?

If you are not comfortable completing the declaration online, we encourage you to ask a family member or traveling companion to assist you. The process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes.

You can complete the declaration on the official South African Revenue Service (SARS) website:

SARS Online Traveler Declaration

View the SARS Online Traveler Declaration. We will also send another reminder as General Conference approaches so you can complete your declaration at the appropriate time.

June 16, 2026

Trusted Public Health & Travel Resources

If your travel plans for General Conference include a connection through London, we encourage you to apply for a UK Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you depart. While travelers with flights booked on a single ticket who remain in the airport's international transit area typically do not need an ETA, having one can provide flexibility if unexpected travel disruptions occur.

Flight cancellations, lengthy delays, missed connections, terminal changes, or other operational issues may require passengers to leave the secure transit area and enter the United Kingdom before continuing their journey. In these situations, an approved ETA can help prevent additional travel complications and make it easier for airlines to arrange unexpected hotel accommodations or alternate flights. Although these circumstances are uncommon, obtaining an ETA before you travel offers added peace of mind and helps ensure you're prepared for the unexpected.

An ETA costs £20 and may be completed on the Gov.UK website. Please note that the application should only be completed through the official gov.uk website and not a third party website.

Learn more at https://www.gov.uk/eta

June 9, 2026

Trusted Public Health & Travel Resources

For those who would like to stay informed, we encourage delegates and attendees to rely on trusted public health and travel resources for the most current information. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide regularly updated information regarding Ebola, public health guidance, and travel recommendations. Attendees may also wish to monitor official travel advisories issued by their respective national governments as travel dates approach. These resources are intended to help travelers stay informed and prepared and should not be interpreted as an indication that changes to General Conference plans are anticipated.

Helpful resources include:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories

June 5, 2026

Actively Monitoring Ebola-related Concerns in Africa

As preparations continue for the 2026 General Conference of the Global Methodist Church, we are aware of the Ebola-related concerns currently impacting portions of Africa and the potential for future travel restrictions that could affect some of our Annual Conferences and delegates.

Please know that we are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to do so in the months leading up to General Conference. We remain in communication with trusted partners and leaders, and we have a team in place prepared to make any necessary adjustments to our plans should circumstances warrant changes. If decisions or updates become necessary, they will be communicated clearly and promptly.

At this time, no changes to General Conference plans have been made.

We ask the people of the Global Methodist Church to join us in prayer for all those impacted by this situation, for wisdom for leaders and health officials, and for the safety and well-being of our global connection as we continue preparing to gather together in Johannesburg in 2026.

Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and partnership as we seek to faithfully steward this important gathering of the church.

June 2, 2026

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

South Africa Traveler Declaration Information for GC26 Attendees

As you prepare for your trip to Johannesburg, please be aware of South Africa's customs declaration requirements.

Do I need to complete a Traveler Declaration?

Most conference attendees traveling with normal personal luggage and belongings will simply follow the customs instructions provided upon arrival.

If you are carrying large amounts of cash, commercial goods, restricted items, or goods that exceed duty-free allowances, you may be required to complete a customs declaration.

South Africa also offers an online Traveler Declaration system that travelers may complete before travel (see link below). Some airlines require the Traveler Declaration be completed before travel begins. Check with your airline about this.

What is the Traveler Declaration for?

The declaration is used by South African Customs to record certain goods, currency, and other items entering or leaving the country. It is separate from your visa application, passport, and conference registration.

For the latest customs guidance and to access the online Traveler Declaration system, visit the South African Revenue Service (SARS) website:

https://www.sars.gov.za/travellerdeclaration/

Please use the following information in completing your Travel Declaration:

Global Methodist Church

3223 South Loop 289

Lubbock, TX 79423

United States 

+1.540.898.4960

If you are unsure whether you need to declare specific items, consult your airline or the South African customs authorities before departure.

March 5, 2026

Travel Update: Airline Routing and Flight Purchase

Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East and evolving international airline routes, our travel partner, Uniglobe, has received an increased number of inquiries regarding flight itineraries, particularly requests to avoid layovers in the Middle East.

In addition, many U.S. and European airlines continue to suspend service to Russia. As a result, current airfare options for travelers departing from Russia are significantly more limited and, in some cases, nearly double the cost of previously available flights.

In response to these developments, the Global Methodist Church is taking several proactive steps to ensure responsible stewardship of resources and the safety and comfort of our delegates:

Flight purchases for travelers departing from Russia are temporarily paused while we monitor the evolving airline landscape. We will revisit this situation in mid-March to determine whether additional airline routes become available.

Our team is reviewing previously purchased itineraries to determine how many include layovers in the Middle East and assessing potential change options and associated costs.

Going forward, GMC-funded travel will be routed to avoid Middle East layovers whenever possible. We have communicated this preference directly to Uniglobe for all future bookings.

We understand that international travel conditions can change quickly, and we are actively working with our travel partner to monitor the situation and identify the most practical and cost-effective solutions.

Additional updates will be shared as more information becomes available. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate these developments.