South Africa Visa Requirements

Visiting South Africa: visas

Want to visit South Africa? Here's information on the basic requirements for entering South Africa, as well as comprehensive information on visas - what they are, who needs them, and when, where and how to apply for them.

Please note: This is a starting guide only. Requirements for entry into South Africa differ from country to country, are subject to change, and each application is treated as an individual case. Always make inquiries before travelling to South Africa.

What's A Visa
South Africa has the right to decide who may and who 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 doesn't 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 satisfy the basic requirements for entry into the country.

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 at all.

Countries Exempt From South African Visas

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) / travel document of the following countries / territories / international organisations 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 & official visit] for an intended stay of 90 days or less and when in transit:

African Union Laissez Passer
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Botswana
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxemburg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Paraguay
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Spain
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Sweden
Switzerland

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man and Virgin Islands, Republic of Ireland, and British Overseas Territories

Note that a national of the following countries do require a visa: British Dependent Territories, including Anguilla, Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Henderson, St Helena, Ducie and Oeno Islands, the Sovereign Base Area of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and the Turks and Caicos Island.

Uruguay
Venezuela
United States of America

3. The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official and ordinary) / travel document of the following countries / territories / international organisations 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 & official visit] for an intended stay of 30 days or less and when in transit:

Antigua and Barbuda
Barbados
Belize
Benin
Bolivia
Cape Verde
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Gabon
Guyana

Hong Kong [only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports]
Hungary
Jordan
Lesotho
Macau [only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR)]
Malaysia
Malawi
Maldives
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Peru
Poland
Seychelles
Slovak Republic
South Korea
Swaziland
Thailand
Turkey
Zambia
Zimbabwe [only in respect of government officials, including police on cross border investigations]

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

Citizens who are holders of diplomatic and official 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 & official visit] for the period indicated and transit:

Albania	(120 days)	Madagascar	(30 days)
Algeria	(30 days)	Morocco	(30 days)
Angola	(90 days)	Mozambique	(90 days)
Bulgaria	(90 days)	Paraguay	(120 days)
Cyprus	(90 days)	Poland	(90 days)
Comoros	(90 days)	Romania	(90 days)
Croatia	(90 days)	Rwanda	(30 days)
Egypt	(30 days)	Slovak	(90 days)
Guinea	(90 days)	Slovenia	(120 days)
Hungary	(120 days)	Thailand	(90 days)
Ivory Coast	(30 days)	Tanzania	(90 days)
Kenya	(30 days)	Tunisia	(90 days)
Mexico	(90 days)	Vietnam	(90 days)

6. 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 re-instated by the Department on petition or of its own accord.

7. 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 provide 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.

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

9. Holders of United Nations (UN) laissez-passers 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. Volunteers attached to UN agencies and travelling on ordinary passports are exempt from visa requirements, provided they are in possession of the relevant letters or identification documents to identify themselves at ports of entry as personnel of an UN agency.

What Are The Requirement For Entering SA?

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

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, visa requirements (what to submit), requirements for people in transit, duration and purpose of stay, medical visas and photographs. follow this link:

http://www.southafrica.info/public_services/foreigners/travel_requirements/visas.htm

What's 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.

What if I want to stay in SA for longer?
It is best to request the full duration of your intended visit when you first arrive, as extensions are subject to additional fees. If you wish to extend your stay further, you must keep your temporary residence permit valid by applying for an extension at your nearest Department of Home Affairs Office in SA. You should do this well BEFORE your permit expires.

What if I plan to work or study in SA?
If you intend to be professionally active in South Africa or to undertake any voluntary or paid employment or studies, you must apply for a work, work-seeker's or study permit. These permits are also issued outside South Africa, and function as valid visas in allowing their holders to proceed to a South African port of entry. (In other words, if you're applying for one of these permits, you do not have to apply for a visa separately.)

Get your visa before leaving for SA
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.

Useful Contact:

The Department of Home Affairs
Directorate: Admissions and Aliens Control
Phone: +27 (0)12 810 8624
Fax: +27 (0)12 321 9896
Private Bag X114
Pretoria
0001
South Africa