South Africa Visa: Requirements, Types, Fees & How to Apply
Start your applicationIt depends on your passport. Most nationalities need a Visitor visa to visit South Africa for tourism, business, or family visits. The standard Visitor visa costs ZAR 325 (~$18 / ₹1,500) in government fees, allows stays of up to 90 days per entry, and processing takes 10–15 working days. Check the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa visa-exemption list for your nationality before traveling.
South Africa visa at a glance
- Government fee
- ZAR 325 (~$18 / ₹1,500) per entry — passed through at cost, no markup
- Official processing
- 10–15 working days (embassy/consulate ETA)
- Validity / stay
- Single entry · up to 90 days per entry
- Visa types
- 4
Do you need a visa for South Africa?
A visa does not guarantee entry — border officials make the final determination at the port of entry.
South Africa visa types
- Visitor visa
- Tourism, leisure, sightseeing, family visits — Up to 90 days per entry
- Transit visa
- Passing through South Africa to a third country — Per the transit rules
- Work visa
- Employment in South Africa — Long-stay
- Study visa
- Study programs — Long-stay
Who is eligible
Whether you need a visa for South Africa depends on your nationality:
Your legal residence also matters. Apply through the embassy or visa authority responsible for your country of residence.
Visa-exempt nationalities can enter South Africa visa-free for short stays under bilateral agreements — check the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa for your nationality.
Visa-required nationalities need a Visitor visa for tourism, business, or family visits.
Documents required for a South Africa visa
What the consulate expects in your file. The controlling checklist is always the one published for your country of residence.
- Valid passportVisitor visa · 6+ months validity, 2+ blank pages.
- Completed and signed visa application formVisitor visa · Completed and signed visa application form.
- Passport photoVisitor visa · 35x45 mm, white background.
- Proof of travel itinerary (flight reservation)Visitor visa · Proof of travel itinerary (flight reservation).
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)Visitor visa · Proof of accommodation (hotel booking).
- Return ticketVisitor visa · Return ticket.
- Bank statementsVisitor visa · 3 months showing sufficient funds.
- Employment letter proving job and incomeVisitor visa · Employment letter proving job and income.
- Income tax returnsVisitor visa · 3 years.
- Yellow fever certificateVisitor visa · if transiting through an endemic country.
South Africa visa fees and processing time
- Government fee
- ZAR 325 (~$18 / ₹1,500) per entry — passed through at cost, no markup
- Expedify processing fee
- Shown before you start
- Validity / stay
- Single entry · up to 90 days per entry
- Official processing
- 10–15 working days (embassy/consulate ETA)
Government fees are passed through at cost. Processing times are the authority's official estimate, stated as a fact — not a delivery promise.
How to apply for a South Africa visa
The official route, step by step.
Confirm you need a visa
Check the South Africa visa-exemption list for your nationality. If you're exempt, you don't need this process.
Get the current form and checklist from the Department of Home Affairs, South Africa or the nearest South African embassy for your country. Requirements differ by country
use their list, not a generic one.
Gather your documents
see the checklist in Required documents for a South Africa visa above.
Submit your application
in person at the embassy or authorized visa center, or online where available. Pay the government visa fee.
Wait for processing
the official ETA is 10–15 working days. Apply at least 7–10 days before travel. Don't book non-refundable flights until approved.
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued
Collect your passport when a decision is made and a visa is issued.
Applying yourself vs. with Expedify
The authority decides your visa either way. The difference is how much of the process you carry.
Research
- Apply yourself
- Check South Africa's requirements yourself
- With Expedify
- We confirm what you need for your route
Document check
- Apply yourself
- Common errors cause refusals
- With Expedify
- Pre-reviewed before submission
Appointments
- Apply yourself
- You book and attend yourself
- With Expedify
- We prepare your application and guide you
Status tracking
- Apply yourself
- You check the embassy portal
- With Expedify
- We track and notify you at every step
Government fee
- Apply yourself
- Same
- With Expedify
- Same — passed through at cost, no markup
At the border: what to expect
A visa lets you present yourself for entry — it does not guarantee admission. Entry into South Africa is decided by immigration officials at the port of entry.
Entry requirements
- Valid passport with your visa or exemption stamp.
- Return or onward travel ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and itinerary.
- Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.
Conditions of stay
- Stay length is set by the officer at entry — it can be less than your visa's maximum.
- A visitor visa is not a work permit — no employment.
- No full-time study on a visitor visa.
- Depart before your permitted stay ends; overstaying is an immigration violation.
Common reasons a South Africa visa is refused
Knowing these before you apply reduces your risk.
Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
documents that don't match your application form.
Insufficient financial means
evidence that doesn't clearly cover your trip.
Unclear travel purpose
an itinerary that doesn't explain where you're going and why.
Weak ties to your home country
limited evidence you'll return after your stay.
Frequently asked questions
South Africa visa questions, answered.
More for your South Africa trip
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency, embassy, or consulate. Visas are granted solely by the destination country's authorities, and no third party can influence or guarantee a decision. Our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from any consular fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice — requirements change and vary by nationality. Always confirm with the official embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.