Visitor Visa to South Africa: Tourism & Short Stay Guide

VISITORS VISA

A short-term visitor’s visa for South Africa allows foreign nationals to visit the country for tourism purposes and generally needs to be applied for prior to arrival in South Africa. Should the passport holder be visa exempt from South Africa, he/she will enter South Africa on an entry stamp for a period of 30 – 90 days. This visitor visa is for short stay purposes only and cannot be changed to a longer-term visa within the country. It is thus ideal for holiday goers and/or visiting family for a short period of time.

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The Immigration Act provides for 12 additional different types of longer-term visitor visas exceeding three months up to a maximum of three years. These visitor visa categories are as listed below –

Academic sabbaticals
Voluntary or charitable activities
Research
Accompanying spouses and children accompanying their parents who are in South Africa on temporary residence visas
Teachers at international schools
For any work in films and advertisements produced in South Africa (including actors, camera men, hairstylist, makeup artists or lighting and sound engineers)
Foreign journalists sent to South Africa by foreign news agencies
For visiting professors or lecturers or academic researches
Artists who wish to write, paint or produce sculptures
For foreigners involved in the entertainment industry, traveling through South Africa to perform
Tour hosts and leaders
For foreigners required to remain in South Africa to testify as state witnesses in criminal court cases

The abovementioned visas will be required to be applied for within the home country/country of temporary residence where applicable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend my Visitors Visa whilst in South Africa?

Yes, you can extend your Visitors Visa in South Africa to a further 90 days subject to the conditions of your visa.

What do I do if my visa is due to expire, but my extension application is still pending?

You are legally permitted to remain in the country whilst your application is pending, you will however not be able to travel during the period after expiry and before receiving your new visa. It is therefor advisable to depart prior to the expiry of your visa and re-enter on a brand-new Visitors Visa. Should you need to depart for whatever reason after expiry you will be declared an undesirable person for overstaying your visa and banned from re-entering for a period of between 1 and 5 years (depending on the overstay period). This ban can be uplifted and takes on average 2 – 4 weeks to be processed before you may re-enter.

Am I able to change to a work visa / spousal visa from a visitor visa within South Africa?

No, the Immigration Act does not permit any person to change from a Visitors Visa to any other visa category from within South Africa. As such, a new application is required to be filed within your home country/country of residence.

Am I able to legally conduct work activities on a Visitors Visa?

No, a Visitors Visa enables you to travel to South Africa for holiday and/or business purposes only. Business is considered as meetings, interviews, signing of contracts, training or conferences. If you are required to conduct short term work, you are required to apply for a short-term work visa, such as the Visitors Visa in terms of Section 11(2).

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Our Main Focus Remains To Serve Corporates, Professionals and High Net Worth / Affluent Families With Legally Correct Immigration and Permanent Residency Services.

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Full Name*
Email Address*
Contact Number
Please select the visa category you require assistance with:*
How old is the child?*
Does the child's parent/ guardian have valid status within South Africa?*
What is your marital status?*
What is the status of your spouse?*
What is the number of foreign nationals you are looking to employ?*
Do you currently have a formal offer of employment from a registered South African company?*
What is your highest level of Education?*
In which country did you complete your highest qualification*
What position have you been offered*
Do you have accompanying family members?*
What is your highest level of education?*
In order to qualify for a General Work Visa, you must have an offer of employment from a South African employer. What is your expected annual income for the position you have been offered?*
How many years of work experience do you have?*
Is your prospective employer a member of the Trusted Employer Scheme?*
* Trusted Employers who have received this status form the DHA often meet the following criteria: - Have invested more than R100 million into the South African Economy - Employ more than 150 staff
Are you proficient in one of South Africa's 11 official languages?*
What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?*
Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?*
What is the duration of your relationship?*
Do you have an offer of employment from a South African employer?*
Are you currently employed by a foreign entity outside of South Africa?*
Do you earn an annual salary exceeding R650,000? (UDS $37,000 / EUR 33,000)*
What is your intention in South Africa?
What is you intended duration of stay in South Africa?*
Do you have a monthly irrevocable income of at least R37,000?*
Do you have a net worth of at least R2.4 million?*
Do you intend on working part time or conducting business while in South Africa?*
Do you have accompanying family members?*
What is the duration of your assignment in South Africa?*
Does your current employer support your work in South Africa?*
Are you being sent on a secondment or assignment to South Africa?*
Have you been employed in your current position for longer than 6 months?*
What is the expected duration of your secondment/ assignment?*
Do you have an enrollment letter from a recognized learning institution?*
What level of education will you be completing in South Africa?*
What visa do you currently hold?*
Please specify other*
What is the expiry date of your current visa*
Date Format: DD slash MM slash YYYY
What Visa do you currently hold for South Africa?*
Have you received a permanent offer of employment?*
Do you have accompanying family members?*
What is the expiry date of your current Critical Skills Work Visa?*
Date Format: YYYY slash MM slash DD
Do you have accompanying family members?*
What is the expiry date of your current General Work Visa?*
Date Format: YYYY slash MM slash DD
How long have you resided in South Africa?*
Do you have accompanying family members?*
What is the expiry date of your current Intra Company Transfer Work Visa?*
Date Format: YYYY slash MM slash DD
How long have you resided in South Africa?*
Have you been offered Permanent employment by a South African employer?*
What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?*
How long have you resided in South Africa?*
Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?*
How long have you resided in South Africa?*
How long have you resided in South Africa?*
Do you receive an irrevocable income of at least R37,000 per month (Rental income, dividends, interest, pension, ect )*
Do you have a net worth of at least ZAR 1,8 million*
What is your relationship to a South African citizen/ Permanent Resident?*
How long have you resided in South Africa?*
Have you maintained your relationship with your South African partner/ South African PR holder?*
How long have you resided in South Africa?*
Total Points*
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VISITORS VISA

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Frequently Asked Questions

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VISITORS VISA

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