Visa Support & Other

Here you will find information on the basic requirements for entering South Africa, as well as links to comprehensive information on visas – what they are, who needs them, and when, where and how to apply for them.
NOTE: Requirements for entry into South Africa differ from country to country and are subject to change. Always consult the South African consulate in your country before travelling to South Africa.

What is a visa?

South Africa has the right to decide who may and may not enter its territory. A visa ensures that you are properly screened before entering the country, and gives immigration officials the information they need to ensure you are admitted to South Africa for the correct purpose and length of time.

A visa does not guarantee you entry to the country – it only allows you to proceed to a South African port of entry, where an immigration officer will check that you meet the basic requirements for entry into the country.

What are the requirements for entering South Africa?

• a valid, acceptable passport or travel document good for a sufficient period to cover your intended stay
• a valid visa, if required
• sufficient funds
• a return or onward ticket
• at least two blank pages in your passport
• yellow fever certificates if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America

Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?

Depending on your nationality and the purpose and duration of your visit, you may not need a visa to visit South Africa.
Exemptions from South African visas

Where can I make enquiries about visas?

• See the Department of Home Affairs’ immigration services page.
• Check the list of South African offices abroad for info on where to apply in your own country.
• Home Affairs contact centre: +27 11 461 9252 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +27 11 461 9252 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (overseas callers), 0800 60 11 90 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 0800 60 11 90 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (within SA), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

How do I go about getting a visa?

The Department of Home Affairs’ website will give you the lowdown on visa costs, processing time, where to apply, what to submit, requirements for people in transit, as well as information relating to your duration and purpose of stay, medical visas and photographs.

• Types of visas
• Applying for a visa
• Visa application form

What is the difference between a visa and a temporary residence permit?

A visa allows you to proceed to a South African port of entry. A temporary residence permit will be issued to you at the port of entry. It replaces your visa, and regulates the duration and purpose of your stay in South Africa.

• Types of temporary residence permits
• Applying for temporary residence
• Temporary residence application form

Get your visa before leaving for South Africa.

If you are subject to visa requirements, you should apply for your visa at least four weeks BEFORE your departure for South Africa, and await the outcome of your application before departing. 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 by law to refuse you entry to South Africa and to place you on a return flight to your country.

Transportation

The public train system in Cape Town is extensive but the comfort cannot be compared to that of the European trains. Do not wear or display expensive items. If using a bag, ensure the strap is slung across your body so that the bag containing any valuables is in front, where you can better protect it. Conceal your camera; don’t wear earrings, necklaces or other visible jewellery.

Minibus taxis

Like many African cities, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban have an informal public transport system in the form of minibus “taxis”. These are not taxis in the typical Western sense of the term – they won’t give you a lift to your doorstep. Rather, they are small-scale bus services, often unmarked, operating with neither timetables nor formal stops. Taxis are the cheapest form of transport in South Africa, and are the daily transport lifeline of the bulk of the working population.

Metered taxis

There are conventional metered taxis, but unlike in many other countries these do not cruise the streets in search of passengers, and must generally be summonsed by telephone. Major hotels do often reserve bays for taxi companies, however, and in those that do not, reception staff can quickly make arrangements for visitors. The taxi rate varies between companies and runs at about R30/km. It is advisable to ask for a fare estimate before you agree.

Passport holders who are exempt from South African Visas

The citizen of a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official or ordinary) of the foreign countries / territories / international organization listed below are not required to hold a visa when reporting to an immigration officer for an examination at a South African port of entry, subject to the terms and conditions set out in this list, including inter alia, the intended period of stay in the Republic.

1. The holder of a national South African passport, travel document and document for travel purposes.

2. The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official or ordinary) of the following countries / territories / international organizations is not required to hold a visa in respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic and official visit] for an intended stay of 90 days or less and when in transit.

* Northern Ireland, British Islands, Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man and Virgin Islands

**British Overseas Territories who are in possession of British passports namely: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, St. Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island, Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha), Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Areas on Cyprus South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands and the Turks and Caicos Island.

***Zimbabwe (*temporary measure until further notice)

3. The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official and ordinary) of the following countries / territories / international organizations is not required to hold a visa in respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic and official] visit for an intended stay of 30 days or less and when in transit:

*Hong Kong [only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports]

**Macau [only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR)]

4. Agreements have also been concluded with the following countries for holders of diplomatic and official passport holders.

Citizens who are holders of diplomatic, official and service passports of the following countries do not require visas in respect of purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued or by virtue of being a person contemplated in section 31(3)(b) [diplomatic and official visit] for the period indicated and transit

Notwithstanding this Schedule, a foreigner whose visa exemption has been withdrawn shall comply with the visa requirements until notified by the Department that his or her visa exemption has been reinstated by the Department on petition or of its own accord.

Visas are not required by passport holders of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Malawi who are entering the Republic as commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers provided their visits do not exceed 15 days and on condition that they can produce a letter confirming their employment with a transport company on entry.

Staff members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who travel on SADC laissez-passers are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide business visits up to 90 days and transit.

The following categories of the UN as well as their spouses, dependent relatives and other members of the households are exempt from visa requirements when visiting the Republic for periods not exceeding 90 days for purposes for which a visitor’s permit may be issued, and for official business purposes and transits and when accredited for placement at a UN mission in the Republic for the duration of their accreditation, provided they are in possession of the relevant letters or identification documents to identify themselves at ports of entry as personnel of a UN agency.

• Holders of United Nations Laissez-passers
• Volunteers attached to the UN
• Persons involved in any United Nations agency
• Persons performing services on behalf of the UN

Members of military forces attending any military related matters with the South African National Defence Force are exempt from visa and study permit requirements, irrespective of their duration of stay provided they are in possession of letters of invitation from the SANDF as well as letters of consent from the military force of which they are members. They are also permitted to enter the country without passports.

Detailed information on visa