Applicants for permits and licences must submit applications in the forms stipulated by the relevant authority (see below). Applicants applying for an exemption from the Minister are encouraged to use the exemption application form as this could speed up the processing of the application. Certain applications must also be accompanied by an application fee stipulated by such authority in the application form (see below).

Tourism businesses applying for a permit and boat-launching site operators applying for a licence must carry out an environmental impact assessment and a public participation process. These assessments must meet the requirements of section 24(4) of the National Environmental Management Act (Act No. 107 of 1998). Applicants who are not familiar with these requirements should appoint an environmental consultant to assist them in preparing their application.