Temporary Residence Visa (TRV)

SA Migration | 16 Jan 2023

While processing times for visas under this category vary, they typically take up to 60 business days from the date of submission. However, it can take up to 10 days to process the Visitor’s Visa and Holiday Visa.

When applying for a Temporary Residence Visa, you must meet the following criteria:

• Hold a valid passport with at least two blank pages, which only expires a month after your intended departure date from South Africa

• Ensure your temporary residence permit remains valid

• Submit the online application and required documentation at any VFS.Global visa facilitation center or at the South African embassy in your country of residence or citizenship

• Provide a yellow fever vaccination certificate (when applicable)

The following supporting documents are not required for the Visitor’s Visa but all other Temporary Residence Visas:

• Radiological and medical reports

• Biometrics

• Criminal clearance certificates (not older than six months)

• A completed BI-1738 form (not applicable for a Visitor’s Visa)

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You can follow this simple step-by-step guide on how to apply for this visa. Notably, it is possible to transfer or rectify a Temporary Resident Visa in the case of damaged, lost, or stolen passports, but only if the passport is still valid.  

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Non-immigrant South African visas (short-term)

Visitor’s Visa (Holiday/Tourist Visa)

Tourists wanting to visit South Africa can apply for a Visitor’s Visa, which allows them to enter the country for a maximum of 90 days.

Currently, 52 nationalities can enter South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days, and another 28 nationalities are exempt from visas when visiting for a maximum of 30 days. You can find the full list of visa-exempt countries here. Processing times typically range between five and 10 days, but applicants are advised to apply well in advance in order to avoid delays. The costs include an application fee of R425 and a service fee of R1350. 

While they are in South Africa, tourists can extend their Visitor’s Visa at a visa facilitation center or through a registered immigration practitioner 60 days before the visa expiration date. Just be aware that renewal is not automatic and may not be the same duration as the original visa. Because most visitor visas are only granted for single entries, you will need to lodge a new application to enter again, once you have left the country. You will also need to leave the country and apply from your country of residence if you want to switch to another type of visa.

Other types of long-term visitor visas

Under the Immigration Act, there are 12 additional long-term visitor visas on offer for purposes other than tourism. These are as follows:

• Academic sabbaticals

• Voluntary or charitable activities

• Research (includes visiting professors and lecturers)

• Accompanying spouses and children of temporary residence visa holders

• Teachers at international schools

• Film and television crews and actors

• Foreign journalists working for a foreign news agencies

• Artists who wish to write, paint or produce sculptures

• Foreign entertainers on tour

• Tour hosts and leaders

• Foreigner (state) witnesses testifying in criminal court cases

If you wish to apply for one of these visas, you will need to present the following documents:

• A valid passport with at least two blank pages; expiring no less than a month after your intended departure 

• A return air ticket

• Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay

• Proof of host address or hotel reservations 

The new South African Electronic Visa (i.e., holiday or visitor’s visa) has been trialed with visitors from Kenya and India and is expected to be launched and available to nationals of 14 countries in 2022.

www.samigration.com