Visas

Visa information for visitors to South Africa

For all up to date visa requirements information, consult the South African Government website http://www.dfa.gov.za/foreign/sa_abroad/index.htm.

Tel. +27 (0)12-351-1000
24 hour contact number +27 (0) 12 324-2442

With regard to the issuing of Visas for visitors to South Africa, The South African Department of Home Affairs has a High Commission office, which acts as a South African diplomatic representative in each foreign country. It is the Commission’s responsibility to ensure proper security checks through the issue of Visas, taking of fingerprints as well as ensuring that everything pertaining to your visit to South Africa is in order. If there is no High Commission in your particular country where you are applying from, you may apply for a Visa at the High Commission in a neighbouring country. If you wish to extend your stay in South Africa, you can contact a Foreign Affairs office in South Africa on the day before the expiry date stated on your Visa. Please note that nationals who are exempt from the South African Visa requirement are only exempt for the purposes of holiday, business and transit and still require visas for other purposes, for example medical reasons. Visas are considered by the South African missions abroad and must be affixed in your passport before departing for South Africa. Please note that Visas are not issued on arrival at South African ports of entry. Applicants arriving without Visas will be refused entry into South Africa and placed on a return flight in terms of South African legislation. Typical Visa fees are US$47.00 or +- R425.00.
Entry requirements:

  • A valid acceptable passport / travel document good for a sufficient period to cover the intended stay.
  • A valid visa (if required)
  • Sufficient funds
  • A return / onward ticket
  • Yellow fever certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa.

Where to apply for a 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 nearest or most conveniently situated South African diplomatic or consular representative as designated by the Head of the Consular Office, when a mission is not present in the applicant’s country of residence.
  • Visas CANNOT be applied for at South African ports of entry.

What to submit:

  • Passports must accompany the applications when submitted at a South African diplomatic or consular representative.
  • If a business Visa is applied for, a letter of invitation from the South African company to be visited must accompany the application, as well as a letter from the company which the applicant represents.
  • Please remember that all visa applications require 2 photographs with specific requirements.

The website (http://www.places.co.za/html/traveli_arriving.html) of the Travel Information Centre is also a good source of information regarding Passports & Visa and Customs