Get a South Africa Visa

Visa Application Requirements for an South Africa Tourist Visa

  1. Visa Exempt

    A visa is not required for this destination for a stay of up to 90 days. Please keep in mind that while a visa is not required, you must:

    • Hold a machine readable passport valid at least 30 days beyond the period of intended stay
    • Hold proof of onward/return flights
    • Hold all documents required for the next destination
    • Hold proof of sufficient funds relative to your intended length of stay.
    • Confirm with their airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa as these conditions are subject to change
    While a visa is not required, you must have TWO CONSECUTIVE AND FACING blank visa pages in your passport in order to enter South Africa.

  2. Vaccinations

    Some countries may require vaccinations if your immediately prior point of departure is from countries deemed a health risk. Please go to http://www.cdc.gov/travel/contentVaccinations.aspx for the most up to date health requirements for each segment of your trip.

  3. Entry Requirements For Minors

    Beginning June 1, 2015 all travelers under the age of 18, irrespective of nationality and traveling to and/or from South Africa, must hold an original unabridged full birth certificate or a certified copy.  All documents issued in a language other the English must be accompanied by a sworn translation into English and certified in the issuing country. Other conditions apply:

    • If the minor is entering with one parent then the minor must also present an affidavit from the absent parent stating consent to travel, or, a court order granting full parental responsibilities to the present parent, or, a death certificate in case the other parent is deceased
    • If the minor is traveling with an adult other than the parent(s) then the minor must also present an affidavit from the parents/legal guardians stating consent to travel; copies of identification documents of the parents/legal guardians and contact details of the parents/guardians
    • Unaccompanied minors should contact the South Africa consulate for full details
    • In the case of school tours, the parental consent affidavit may be replaced with an affidavit from the school principal confirming that all consent letters are held by the school

     

Visa Application Requirements for an South Africa Business Visa

  1. Visa Exempt

    A visa is not required for this destination for a stay of up to 90 days. Please keep in mind that while a visa is not required, you must:

    • Hold a machine readable passport valid at least 30 days beyond the period of intended stay
    • Hold proof of onward/return flights
    • Hold all documents required for the next destination
    • Hold proof of sufficient funds relative to your intended length of stay.
    • Confirm with their airline that boarding will be permitted without a visa as these conditions are subject to change
    While a visa is not required, you must have TWO CONSECUTIVE AND FACING blank visa pages in your passport in order to enter South Africa.

  2. Vaccinations

    Some countries may require vaccinations if your immediately prior point of departure is from countries deemed a health risk. Please go to http://www.cdc.gov/travel/contentVaccinations.aspx for the most up to date health requirements for each segment of your trip.

South Africa Visa FAQ

  1. When is the best time to apply for my South Africa visa?

    The best time to apply for your South Africa visa is 1-2 months before your travel date.
  2. Do I have to send you my passport to get a South Africa visa? Is it safe to send a passport?

    You will need to send your actual passport, not a copy of it. The South Africa visa is stamped on your passport and will become one of your passport pages. Visa requests cannot be processed without your original passport. Because of the importance of your passport, we strongly suggest that you send your application and passport to VisaCentral in a secure way, using a traceable courier such as FedEx, UPS, Express Mail or Certified Mail.

Visa Pre-Check

Have an urgent visa application that carries a tight deadline?  VisaCentral can help you to save valuable time and avoid expensive delays.  A VisaCentral expert will review all of your documents to confirm your application is accurate, complete and ready for submission. We will contact you personally to quickly handle any mistakes ensuring your application is submitted correctly.

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Premium Service

With one-on-one consultations, timely reminders, and step-by-step assistance, we’ll make sure every base is covered. You can trust our passport and visa experts to personally manage your applications.

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Insurance for Travel

Get individualized insurance to travel to your destination through our partner, battleface.

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