How to Apply for South Africa eVisa for Travel

Do I need a visa to travel to South Africa? How to Apply for a South Africa eVisa for Travel

Considering a trip to South Africa? Before you book your flights and get the suitcases out, it’s important to understand the type of visa you might need to enter the country.

Keep reading this South Africa eVisa Application guide to find out all of the key information you need to ensure you have a smooth, stress-free journey to South Africa with the right visa! We’ll cover vital information such as the different types of visas available, who is eligible for a visa, the application process, and more.

Types of South Africa Travel Visas

Visitor’s Visas

This is the most common type of visa. South Africa offers several types of ‘Visitor’s Visas‘ depending on the purpose and duration of your visit.

• The Port of Entry Visa (otherwise known as the Tourist Visa) is the most common type, allowing you to stay in South Africa for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
• The Volunteer Visa is designed for volunteers who plan to stay in South Africa for longer than 3 months, with a maximum stay of up to 3 years.
• The Short-Term Work Visa is available for visitors who need to do short-term or urgent work within South Africa, with a maximum stay of 90 days.

Eligibility for a South African Visa:

Residents of many countries are eligible to apply for the Visitor’s Visa. There is no specific list of countries as it often changes, however, you can check directly with the South African Department of Home Affairs or your nearest South African embassy to see if you’re eligible for this type of visa.

You will need a valid passport with at least 30 days of validity beyond your return date. We recommend having 6 months of validity beyond your intended stay as this allows for a smoother application and entry process.

Benefits of the Visitor’s South Africa eVisa:

With South Africa’s Visitor’s Visa, you can explore all that South Africa has to offer in plenty of time. It allows you to explore South Africa’s remarkable geography, breathtaking coastlines, world-famous national parks, and energetic cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town.

If you’re a big fan of South Africa and want to go on multiple trips to this magnificent country throughout the year, there is also the option to apply for a Multiple Entry Visitor’s Visa. This lets you go on multiple short trips to South Africa throughout the visa’s validity period – ideal if you have friends or family in the country that you wish to see more often!

The Visitor’s Visa can demonstrate your travel history and responsible behavior to South African authorities. This means you could be eligible to apply for longer-term visa options like work visas in the future!

Required documents for the Visitor’s Visa:

Before you start the application process, prepare the following documents:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your departure date, as well as two recent passport-sized photos.
• Proof of financial means such as bank statements or salary slips to show you have sufficient funds during your stay.
• Proof of accommodation such as a hotel booking or invitation letter from a host with their address.
• A travel itinerary showing your return or onward travel dates.
• The purpose of your visit (e.g., visiting family or friends).
• Proof of medical and travel insurance covering the duration of your stay.
• A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (if coming from or transiting through a country affected by Yellow Fever.

South Africa eVisa Application process:

To apply for a Visitor’s Visa for South Africa, the easiest way is to do it online. You can do this by visiting the official South African online e-visa service.

1. Visit the official South African e-Visa website and follow the steps.
2. Click on “Create your profile”.
3. Choose the visa type that best suits your travel plans and fill out the online form.
4. Upload any required documentation for your application.
5. Confirm your application with a secure payment. Processing for the Visitor’s Visa can take 5-10 working days.

If the e-Visa option isn’t available for your nationality or you’d rather apply in person, you can apply at your country’s South African embassy or consulate. You will likely need to download and complete a paper visa application form specific to the Visitor’s Visa type you require. Make sure you have all the required documents ready before scheduling an appointment and submitting your application in person.

Fees: 

Visitor’s Visa fees will differ depending on your nationality, the type of visa you apply for, and your application method. As of 2024, the Visitor Visa application fee can cost anywhere between USD 100-120.

Requirements for a South Africa eVisa Online Application:-

• Visa Application Form duly completed and signed by each applicant.
• A valid passport in respect of each applicant, with at least /2 clear pages. A passport must be valid for one month after departure from the Republic of South Africa.
• A photocopy of a valid Yellow Fever Certificate – with signature and cover page.
• Photocopy of the bio-data page of your current passport and the immediate previous one if submitting a new one on the application date.
• Verifiable return flight booking OR itinerary of country to country if traveling by road.
• Confirmed hotel reservations.
• If visiting family or friends, a signed invitation letter from the host with a physical address and contactable phone numbers, a certified identity document of the host (if South African, National South African I.D.
• If foreigner, passport biodata page and permit).
• Certification should not be older than 3 months.
• Passport size photograph(45x35mm)(not more than 12 months old).
• For foreign nationals, you are required to have a work, study of a residence permit valid for one year and above Endorsed on your passport.
• A statement /letter by the applicant confirming the purpose and duration of the visit. If Self-employed, submit a signed letter and attach documents of ownership. If retired, please submit a written statement. If a student, attach a document from their learning institution.
• Sufficient funds in the form of ORIGINAL recent bank statements for the last three(3) months signed and stamped by the bank.
• Sponsor’s Business/Tax Registration Documents.
• For self-employed applicants, a letter from their Business, Certificates of Registration documents/Ownership with current contact address. If retired, please submit a written statement. Proof of occupation is mandatory.
• Marriage Certificate/Affidavit accompanied by a letter if one spouse is taking care of expenses.

Other South Africa Visas

We’ve given you a breakdown of the most common visa types that South Africa offers, but there are many more we haven’t mentioned. Other visas South Africa offers are unique to certain situations:

• Relative visa – this visa is for immediate family members (such as spouses, life partners, children, and parents) of South African citizens or permanent residents. To apply for this, you need proof of relationships and financial support.
• Medical treatment visa – this is for international travelers looking for medical treatment in South Africa for longer than 3 months but not exceeding 6 months. To get this visa, you need a letter from a South African medical practitioner or institution, details of the treatment and its duration, and proof of financial support.
• Exchange visa – this is for foreign nationals under 25 years of age who want to participate in cultural, economic or social exchange programs. You need to provide proof of the exchange program and an acceptance letter from the host institution.
• Corporate visa – this is issued to a corporate entity to employ a pre-determined number of international workers for specific positions. Required documents include proof of registration of the corporation, comprehensive motivation and business plan, and proof that the company has advertised positions locally.
• Treaty visa – this is for international travelers entering South Africa under an international treaty. For this visa, you need proof of the treat and your role, as well as confirmation from the relevant South African government department.
• Crew visa – this visa is for crew members of a transport vessel (such as a ship or an aircraft) entering South Africa. To apply for this visa, you need proof of your employment on the vessel, your itinerary, and how long you intend to stay.
• Accompanying spouse/partner visa – this is for the spouse or life partner of someone who has a long-term visa for South Africa (e.g., a work or study visa). You need to provide proof of your relationship and sufficient financial means to obtain this visa.

Important Information to Note when Applying for a South Africa eVisa Online

• The Consulate General will not accept passports that are manually/handwritten renewed or extended.
• You can submit your application only 1 month before your date of travel.
• Holiday Packages available including flight, hotel, sightseeing & transfers
• The original Passport will be kept at the embassy for stamping purposes
• A client has to personally visit the visa application center for the submission of original documents
• Service Fees & Visa fees are non-refundable in case of rejection
• A confirmed Return air ticket and hotel voucher are required at the airport during a visit to South Africa
• Yellow fever certificate – A yellow fever certificate is required “ONLY IF” an applicant is coming from or going through a yellow fever endemic zone. Applicants who are going straight/directly to South Africa from Dubai, and who have not been in a yellow fever zone recently or within a year are “NOT” required to fulfill/submit a yellow fever certificate or any other additional health requirement.