Answers to frequently asked questions

This information is abridged and is intended to serve as a rough guide only.
Please note: Please visit Department of Home Affairs website

Please contact the South African Home Affairs branch in the Consular section of the Embassy or visit the web site of the Department of Home Affairs for up to date information before acting on information contained on this page

Where can I enquire about visas?

Answer: At the South African Embassy

You can also make inquiries directly to:

Department of Home Affairs

Sub directorate: Visas

Private Bag X114

Pretoria 0001

South Africa

Telephone: +27(0)12 810 8911

Info & enquiries on the Internet

• General visa information

• Supplementary visa information

• Online questions and comments form (select "sub directorate: visas").

• Access/download your visa application form online (PDF file requiring Adobe Acrobat Reader, automatic free download)

Do I need a visa to visit SA?

Depending on your nationality, and the purpose and duration of your visit, you may not need a visa to visit South Africa at all.

Contact the Embassy to find out if you are not sure.

What's a visa?

A visa entitles a person to proceed to an immigration officer at a port of entry.

What is the difference between a Visa and a visitors permit?

A visitors permit is usually issued at the port of entry for nationalities who do not require a visa, however, should you have a visa in your passport the visa will become the visitors permit on entry into South Africa, you will not get any other labels placed into your passport.

Please note that the validity will be counted from the date of first entry.

A visitors permit may only be extended once.

What are the basic requirements for entering SA?

• You must have a passport valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit.

• Payment of the prescribed fee if applicable

• A vaccination certificate

Yellow fever. If you come from or have or journeyed through or disembarked in a country in the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America, you must have proof of inoculation against the disease.
Note that a yellow fever inoculation certificate only becomes valid 10 days after inoculation - after which it remains valid for 10 years.

• A return air ticket

• Statement and/or documentation confirming purpose and duration of visit

• Proof of financial means to cover living expenses during your visit in the form of:

  • Bank statements

  • Salary advices

  • Undertaking by host in SA

  • Bursaries

  • Medical cover

  • Cash available including credit cards or travellers' cheques

What if I need medical attention and need a medical permit?

A medical visa is only required for treatment exceeding 90 days, however, should you not be sure it is strongly recommended that you apply for a medical permit

You will need:

•  a valid passport

• payment of the prescribed processing fee

• proof of financial means of people accompanying medical permit holder in the form of:

  • Bank statements

  • Salary advices

  • Cash available and/or travellers' cheques

   

• A letter from the applicant's medical practitioner or medical institution indicating the reason for treatment, period of treatment and particulars of the treatment plans in the republic

• Details of the person or institution responsible for the medical expenses and hospital fees, if any. Should the applicant's medical scheme or employer not be liable for the expenses incurred, proof of financial means or medical cover must be submitted

• Particulars of person accompanying such permit holder

• Copy of a return ticket or a repatriation guarantee in the form of a deposit equivalent to the cost of an air ticket to the country of origin of origin or residence

What do I need for a permanent residence permit?

• Application for a permanent residence permit
• Permanent residence questionnaire
• Radiological report (excluding pregnant women and children under 16)
• Medical report
• All the applicable requirements under item 9(1)*

* Please contact the Embassy for details of these requirements or visit the link to the department of Home Affairs at the end of this page

 What if I want to stay in SA for longer, or to change to the purpose of my visit?

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 permit valid by applying for an extension at your nearest Department of Home Affairs office in SA.

You should do this at least 30 thirty calendar days before your permit expires.

A visitor’s permit may only be extended once.

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 the appropriate permit, numerous permits are available and it recommended that you consult with the embassy on what may be the best option for you.

What work permit do I qualify for?

There is several different work permits that you may qualify for, it is recommended that you discuss this with the Embassy.

The options available are:

• General quota
• Extraordinary quota
• General
• Exceptional skills
• Intra company transfer
• Corporate worker

The requirements differ for the different applications.

Please note that a decision on a work permit should be done within 30 calendar days and will be taken at the office where the application is lodged.

I'm just passing through - transit visas

If you are passing through South Africa from a place outside its borders, you may need a transit visa, depending on your nationality.
If you're a seaman, regardless of your nationality, you will not need a visa in order to join a vessel in South Africa.
Note that a transit visa does not allow for sightseeing or shopping outside of the port transit area - for this, you would need a visitor's visa.

 Studying in SA: study permits

 Please take note: This information is meant to serve as a guide only. Requirements for studying in South Africa are subject to change, and each application is treated as an individual case. Always make inquiries before travelling to South Africa.

Where can I make inquiries about study permits?

You should make inquiries at your nearest South African office abroad - or directly to:

Department of Home Affairs

Sub directorate: Temporary Residence

Private Bag X114

Pretoria 0001

South Africa

Telephone: +27(0)12 810 8911

Who needs a study permit?

Any person who will be attending a course, studies etc of three months and longer.

Apply for your study permit before leaving for SA

Apply for your study permit, and await the outcome of your application, before departing for South Africa.
 

The fact that you've been accepted by a South African educational institution does not guarantee that you'll be issued with a study permit.

 How do I apply for a study permit

Once you have confirmed your acceptance of a formal offer from a South African educational institution, you should collect a study permit application form from your nearest South African office abroad (see the box on the right above) and complete and return the form to the same office.
In general, your application should be accompanied by:

•  All requirements as set out under basic requirements for entering SA

• An official letter of provisional enrolment from the institution concerned

• Details regarding arranged accommodation if any

• Proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees, maintenance and incidental costs

• In the case of a minor, the particulars of the person in the republic who will act as the learner's guardian and confirmatory letter from such a person or proof of consent for the intended stay from both parents

• An outline of the course or academic programme for which the applicant has been accepted and proof of the required qualifications to attend it, if any

• A police clearance certificate if required in respect of all applicants of 23 years of age or older, in respect of all previous countries of residence for periods exceeding one year.

• Copy of a return ticket or a repatriation guarantee in the form of a deposit equivalent to the cost of an air ticket to the country of origin or residence

Note: Should you be enrolling at a state subsidised institution and additional non refundable fee will be charged, please contact the Embassy for details on this fee.

 How long will it take for my application to be processed?

Provided that all documents are in order the application will be finalised in thirty (30) calendar days.

You are advised, however, to make your application as early as possible.

 When should I renew my study permit?

Study permits are granted for the duration of the course.

You should also apply for a new permit if you plan to change your institution.

I'll be back soon - will I need a re-entry visa?

If you are in South Africa on a valid study permit, and you leave the country temporarily, you will not need a re-entry visa, provided your permit does not expire while you are out of the country.
This holds even though your permit may have "single entry" endorsed on it.

I'll be setting up and running a business in SA - what do I require?

Setting up a business is usually an expensive, long-term endeavour.
If you're only planning to stay in South Africa on a temporary, short-term basis, then you may apply for a work permit.
Otherwise you should consider applying for business permit or permanent residence.

Business permit:

• All requirements as set out under basic requirements for entering SA

• Proof of availability of funds to transfer from abroad

• Undertaking to register with the appropriate statutory body if required by the nature of the business

• Proof of compliance with regulation 24*

Existing business:

• All requirements under item 13*

• Documents proving the investment, such as shareholders' or partnership agreements

• Details of partners/directors

• Proof of compliance with regulation 24*

* Please contact the Embassy for details of these requirements or visit the link to the department of Home Affairs at the end of this page

What if I want to stay in SA for longer, or to change to the purpose of my visit?

Work permits are issued for a maximum period of three years and may be extended provided that the extension is applied for at least 30 thirty calendar days before the expiry of the permit.

Will I be allowed to change employer?

Yes, however certain conditions apply and on some permits it may not be allowed, please contact the Department of Home Affairs for more information.

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