VISA information

Visa requirements (what to submit)

• Passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit.
• Passports must contain at least 1 (one) unused page for entry/departure endorsements (sometimes referred to as visa page).
• Payment of the prescribed fee, if applicable
• A vaccination certificate, if required by the Act.
• Statement and/or documentation confirming purpose and duration of visit.
• Two (2) identity photographs.
• Proof of financial means in the form of:
  • Bank statements
  • Salary advices
  • Undertaking(s) by the host(s) in the Republic
  • Bursaries
  • Medical cover
  • Or cash available, including credit cards or travellers' cheques to cover the living expenses during the stay in the Republic
• Applicants travelling by air must be in possession of:
  • a return or onward ticket; or
  • Proof of sufficient funds; or
  • Lodge a cash deposit of equivalent value to such a ticket.
  • Tariff: R425.00 or US$47.00 or €43.00
  • Processing time: 10 days

Duration and purpose of stay

The period of residence in the RSA will be determined from the applicant's date of admission to the Republic in accordance with any conditions that appear on the visa. On admission, the visa will be deemed to be a visitor's permit. Applicants must ensure that they request the full duration of their intended visits under item 28 of the application form, as renewals are subject to additional fees.
Applicants must also ensure that they apply for the correct visa (transit or visitor's) or temporary residence permit reflecting the true purpose of the visit, as any changes in the purpose of stay will only be approved in the RSA for good cause and if the requirements of the Act are complied with.

NOTE

If the purpose of the visit is in respect of sabbatical; voluntary or charitable activities; research; joining or accompanying a spouse who is on a temporary permit in the Republic; work related activities for which a permit is not prescribed or visits that are longer than three months, the requirements prescribed under visitor's permit must be met.

WARNING

Any applicant allowed entry into South Africa due to any misrepresentation, or false declaration on the application form or who sojourns in the Republic in contravention of his/her visa/permit conditions shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine or to imprisonment as an illegal foreigner.

Where to apply for a South African visa

• At the South African diplomatic or consular representative in the applicant's country of normal residence, which includes permanent residence and long-term temporary residence?
• At the South African diplomatic or consular representative in the country of which the applicant validly holds a valid passport.
• At the designated South African diplomatic or consular representative when a mission is not present in the applicant's country of residence.
• Any queries relating to visas are handled by the South African missions or representative office in your country or the nearest one situated to you. Visas are considered by the South African missions abroad and must be affixed in the applicants' passports before departing to the RSA. Long term visas are not issued on arrival at South African ports of entry, except a one month holiday visa, (visitors). But that is applied to certain countries such as Gabon.