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| Do I need to apply for a visa before visiting South Africa? |
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To find out if you require a visa or pay South African visa tariffs, please see the list of countries exempt from visa control on www.dha.gov.za |
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| How long does it take to process a visa application? |
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5 working days but may take longer depending on the nature of the application. |
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| May I apply on behalf another person in a country where South Africa does not have an Embassy? |
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The application must be submitted at the South African Embassy or mission that is responsible / accredited for that country concerned. The applicant is required by legislation to approach the office in person to submit the application. |
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| What documents must I translate? |
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Birth, marriage, divorce, death certificates; certificate of residence/ “certificat de residence”; police clearance certificates; employment letters, business registration documents/ “registre de commerce”; letters of parental consent, letters from sponsors taking financial responsibility, etc. The following documents need not necessarily be translated, bank statements, salary advices and flight itineraries |
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| What is a Yellow fever vaccination certificate |
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In terms of the policy brief issued by the Department of Health it is confirm that the Republic of South Africa requires a valid yellow fever certificate from all citizens and non-citizens over one year of age:
- travelling from a yellow fever risk country (including low risk countries such as Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia); or
- having been in transit through a yellow fever risk country.
Please note that as Cote d’Ivoire is one of the yellow fever areas as declared by a World Health Organisation, a person travelling from Cote d’Ivoire directly or transiting through the Republic of South Africa is required to submit a yellow fever vaccination certificate for entry into the Republic of South Africa. |
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| Internships in the Republic of South Africa |
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As the Immigration Act, as amended, makes no provisions for foreigners to undertake internships at companies and organisations in the Republic of South Africa, no visa may be issued to such foreigners, including foreign students whose studies prescribe an internship |
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| Extension of a visitor’s visa in the Republic of South Africa |
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The Immigration Act, as amended, makes provisions for an application for a once-off renewal / extension of a visitor’s visa for a further period, which shall not exceed three months – such application must be submitted in person via a VFS office in the Republic of South Africa (seewww.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica) (attach link) no less than 60 days prior to the expiry of his or her visa and if the visa was issued for less than 30 days, not later than 7 working days before the expiry of the visa. Please note that a South African foreign mission e.g. the Embassy in Abidjan may not guarantee the renewal / extension of a visitor's visa, as such decisions are taken solely by the officials in the country. The applicant must however ensure that he or she has received the extended visa i.e. the visa has been placed in his or her passport before departing from the Republic, in order not to be declared as an undesirable person due to an overstay.
Please also note that applications for renewal / extension of visas may not be submitted at / adjudicated by South African foreign offices. e.g. the Embassy in Abidjan, as foreign office only process new visa applications. |
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Change of status or visa terms and conditions in the Republic of South Africa |
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The Immigration Act, as amended, makes provisions for a foreigner, who is in the Republic of South Africa, to apply for a change of status* or terms and conditions relating to his or her visa – such application must be submitted in person via a VFS office in the Republic of South Africa (seewww.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica(attach link) no less than 60 days prior to the expiry of his or her visa.
Please note that a person who is on a visitor’s visa or medical treatment visa may not change his or her status whilst in the Republic of South Africa, except in exceptional circumstances.
Please also note that applications for change of status or visa terms and conditions may not be submitted at / adjudicated by South African foreign offices e.g. the Embassy in Abidjan, as foreign office only process new visa applications.
* ’status’ means the status of a person as determined by the relevant visa or permanent residence permit granted to the person in terms of the Immigration Act, as amended.
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| Customs & Importation Regulations |
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Updated customs and importation regulations for the Republic of South Africa may be obtained from the Customs Officer at the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Brussels.
www.southafrica.be/sars.htm |
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| Applying for a police clearance certificate for the Republic of South Africa |
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Persons living abroad must apply for a South African police clearance certificate directly from the Criminal Record Centre of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Pretoria.www.saps.gov.za |
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| Refund of a cash deposit (Repatriation Fee) |
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A cash deposit shall be refunded on receipt of the following documentation, which must be submitted within a period up to 28 February 2015:
- original passport to confirm the holder's final departure from the Republic of South Africa, or whether a permanent residence permit was issued to the holder;
letter confirming the details of applicant's bank account (account holder’s name, IBAN, BIC and bank name) and contact details (email address and mobile phone number). |
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| Getting married in the Republic of South Africa |
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The following documents are required from a foreigner, who intends getting married in the Republic of South Africa:
1. A valid passport containing a valid residence permit for the Republic of South Africa e.g. visitor’s permit in the
case of foreigners who have entered as tourists (the relevant entry requirements are available on request from our office); the requirement of a minimum period of stay is not prescribed to get married;
2. In the case of a previous marriage, final decree of divorce or deceased spouse’s death certificate, together with a sworn translation into English.
Prospective parties to a marriage should be informed about the procedure by the marriage officer, who will conduct the ceremony in the Republic of South Africa, to ensure that they comply with the legal requirements. Should they be unsure of any of these, we advise parties to a marriage to seek legal counsel before the marriage is entered into. Please note that the clergy as well as representatives of the Department of Home Affairs, as designated by the Minister of Home Affairs, may perform marriages i.e. act as marriage officers.
After solemnisation of the marriage, both parties to the marriage, the two witnesses and the marriage officer must sign the marriage register, upon which the marriage officer must issue the parties with a marriage certificate free of charge. The marriage officer must submit the marriage register to the nearest Home Affairs office for recording of the marriage particulars in the National Population Register (NPR).
Please note that a full (unabridged) marriage certificate with apostille is required to register a marriage in Germany; this document may also be applied for through the Embassy in Berlin or Consulate-General in Munich.
Further general information regarding getting married in the Republic of South Africa may be obtained from the website of the Department of Home Affairs.
www.home-affairs.gov.za
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| Payment of an administrative fine for an overstay |
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The following documentation must be submitted in respect of each person, who has received an administrative fine:
- original passport to enter the endorsement that the administrative fine was paid;
- original form BI-1731 regarding the administrative fine that was issued to the foreigner on departure from the Republic of South Africa;
- proof of payment
The processing of the payment of administrative fine, which includes endorsing the passport accordingly usually takes 5 working days, but may take longer during times of increased requests. |
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Consular Section business hours
Business hours of the Consular Section:
Mon to Thurs 09h00 – 12h00
Fridays 09h00 – 11h00
Telephone contact times: 08h00-12h45; 13h30-16h30 |
