Applying for a South African Visa Visitors’ visas are for international travellers (citizens of other countries) who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.

A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed at a South African embassy, mission or consulate and that the consular officer has determined you are eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose.

On entry to South Africa, a visa is considered to be a visitor’s permit. The permit’s period of validity is calculated from the date of entry into the country and will be set out under the heading “conditions” on the visa label. You must ensure that you apply for the correct visa/permit. Entry in the country may be refused if the purpose of visit was not correctly stated.

Requirements for visitor’s visas differ from country to country (http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/exempt-countries), and the requirements are subject to change. As each application is treated as an individual case and you should make enquiries with your nearest South African mission or consulate abroad or any office of the Department of Home Affairs to see whether or not you are required to apply for a visa.

Remember that there is a fee charged for issuing a visa, and you should check the cost with the office as well as this is updated annually. The fee is payable in different currencies in different countries.

Visas are not issued at South African ports of entry, and airline officials are obliged to insist on visas before allowing passengers to board. If you arrive without a visa, immigration officials are obliged to put you onto a flight back to your home country.

Foreigners with long term status (work permits/permit residence) in the neighbouring countries who transit the Republic to return to their employment or residence are not subject to the transit visa, provided they are in possession of proof of their status.

South African visitors’ visas may be granted for:

• visits to family or friends and also for tourism purposes
• business meetings and conference purposes (short stay period)
• spouse accompanying a spouse who is in South Africa on a work visa
• children accompanying parents who are in South Africa on a work visa
• research
• to work in the production of a movie or show (i.e. in the entertainment industry)
• or medical purposes, when a patient needs to receive life-saving treatment (max stay 3-months)
• sport events

Documents required to apply for a visa (see attached requirements)

Requirements for entering South Africa (see attached requirements)

Countries exempt from South African Visas (See visa exemption list)

ORDINARY PASSPORT / TRAVEL DOCUMENT HOLDERS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO SOUTH AFRICAN VISA FEES (see attached)

(subject to change without notice)

Fees for the issuance of a visitor’s visa in terms of section 11(1) of the Immigration Act shall be collected in respect of passport / travel document holders of the following foreign countries when travelling on an ordinary passport (visa fees are not levied for diplomatic and official/service passport holders). 

Prevention of yellow fever in South Africa (see attached)