South Africa Visa Requirements

PLEASE NOTE THAT CHANGES ARE MADE ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS, PLEASE CONTACT YOU NEAREST SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY FOR MORE ACCURATE VISA POSTING AND UPDATES

UYAPHI SAFARIS CANNOT AND WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR CHANGES IN GOVERNMENT POLICY, SHOULD CHANGES TO THE BELOW OCCUR!

A MINIMUM OF TWO BLANK PAGES IN YOUR PASSPORT IS REQUIRED FOR ENTRY INTO SOUTH AFRICA, CUSTOMS OFFICIALS ARE VERY STRICT ON THIS...

Every country has the sovereign right to decide who may or may not enter its territory. Possession of a visa does not guarantee automatic admission to the Republic. It only authorizes the holder to proceed to the Republic to report to an immigration officer at a port of entry for the purpose of being examined as to his/her ability or otherwise, to comply with the (entry) requirements of the Act.

The purpose of a visa on the one hand is to ensure proper screening of applicants so that undesirable persons are not admitted to the Republic and on the other hand to facilitate the entry of approved applicants at South African ports of entry. Visas provide immigration officers with the necessary information to ensure that applicants are admitted for the correct purpose and period into the RSA. 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, e g for medical purposes.

Visas are considered by the South African missions abroad and must be affixed in the applicants' passports before departing to the RSA. Visas are not issued on arrival at South African ports of entry. Applicants arriving without visas will be refused entry into the RSA and placed on return flights in terms of legislation.

Click here for more information and conditions on South Africa Visa Requirements:
» Nationals of countries exempt from South African visas
» Nationals of countries subject to South African visa fees
» South African visa tariffs

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 or South America.

Where to apply for a visa:
» At the South African diplomatic or consular representativein the applicant's country of normal residence, which includes permanent residence and long-term temporary residence.
» At theSouth 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.

Persons in transit:
Persons applying for transit visas must submit proof that they will be admitted to their destinations and they must be in possession of onward / return tickets.

Duration and purpose of stay:
The period of residence in South Africa is not determined by the visa but by the temporary residence permit which is issued on arrival at the port of entry. Applicants must ensure that they request the full duration of their intended visit as extensions are subject to additional fees. Applicants must ensure that they apply for the correct visa / permit as the purpose of stay may not be changed once in the RSA.