Who needs a South African visa?

SA Migration | 16 Jan 2023

Anyone traveling to South Africa will need a visa to enter the country; be it for a holiday, visiting family, joining a partner, living, working, or studying. However, some countries are exempt from this rule.

When traveling with a child under 18, you should always check the current South African visa requirements and child policy as these sometimes change. From 8 November 2019, for instance, foreign children traveling with their parents no longer need to present parental consent letters or birth certificates. Nonetheless, it can’t hurt to keep a parental consent letter and birth certificate handy just in case.

Essentially, an applicant’s nationality and reason for entering South Africa determine the type of visa they require. Applicants must also petition in person and supply supporting documents, such as medical and biometric data, a passport valid for at least one month after leaving South Africa, and financial records.

If you reside outside of South Africa, you will need to book an appointment at the embassy or consulate in your country of citizenship or residence. However, if you are already in South Africa and want to apply for a different visa or extension, you must book an appointment at one of the visa facilitation centers which are managed by VFS.Global. It is also critical to stay updated with the latest travel restrictions to South Africa concerning the current global COVID-19 pandemic.

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Types of South African visas

Visas for South Africa are categorized under two main branches: Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) and Permanent Resident Permit (PRP).  

The type of visa you require, as well as the documents, costs, and processing time, will depend on your reason for entering South Africa, your nationality, and at which consulate or embassy you apply. And because processing times can vary between consulates and may often take longer than expected, it is advisable to apply for your visa well in advance.

The Temporary Residence Visa (TRV) is broken down into several categories based on different reasons for entering South Africa. These are as follows:  

• Visitor’s Visa: for tourism purposes of no longer than 30 or 90 days

• Business Visa: allows a person to enter the country for up to 90 days to work or invest in the economy

• Study Visa: allows a person to study on a primary, secondary, or tertiary level for the duration of the course

• Exchange Visa: for applicants who are 25 years old or younger wanting to participate in cultural, social, or economic exchange initiatives

• General Work Visa: allows entry to a person with specific, in-demand skills for the duration of their work contract

• Relative Visa: immediate family members of South African citizens or residents can apply to stay in South Africa for a maximum period of two years at a time

• Medical Visa: allows a stay of six months for medical treatment

• Retired Person’s Visa: pensioners with the financial means can apply to retire in South Africa

You can find a more detailed explanation of the numerous types of visas and permits for South Africa further down this guide.

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