– South Africa Visa Application –
South Africa Visa Application: In this article, I will emphasize on South African visa application and how to go about getting one for yourself.
A visa shows that an application has been gone through at a South African embassy, mission or consulate and that the consular officer has determined you are qualified to enter the country for a particular purpose.
The visa will permit you to travel to a South African port of entry where an immigration official will then decide if you may enter South Africa and for how long you can stay for that visit.
On entry to South Africa, a visa is considered being a visitor’s permit. The permit’s period of validity is calculated from the date you enter the country and will be set out under the heading “conditions” on the visa label.
Know Your Types of Visa
Short Term Visa
In South Africa, visas for tourism and for visiting family and friends are issued for a maximum of three months.
Short-term do not allow the applicant to switch into a longer-term South African immigration service and although short-term study is permitted, an applicant may not study for longer than the grant of their visa.
Where students wish to continue studying in South African for longer than three months, they must submit a study visa application.
Unlike a visit visa, a student visa allows the candidate to engage in limited employment, however in both cases, permits are issued for temporary residence, and candidates must return to their country of residency upon expiry.
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Long term visa
South African visitors’ visas may be granted for:
1. visits to family or friends and also for tourism
2. business purposes
3. a spouse to join a spouse who is in South Africa on a work or study permit
4. children to join parents who are in South Africa on work or study permits
5. fiancee/ fiance to join his or her partner intending to marry within 90 days
6. study purposes (max stay 3-months)
7. charitable or voluntary activities
8. research
9. conferences
10. to work in the production of a movie or show (i.e. in the entertainment industry)
11. for medical purposes (max stay 3-months)
12. sport events
Documents Required to Apply for a visa
1. A passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your intended visit
2. Your passport must have at least TWO unused pages for entry/departure endorsements
3. A completed Form BI-84 (application for a visa)
4. Payment of the prescribed fee
5. A yellow-fever vaccination certificate (if required)
6. Statement and documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit
7. Two-color passport photographs
8. A return or onward ticket if you are traveling by air
9. If you have children (minors) traveling with you or joining in South Africa, you will need to provide the following additional documents
i. Proof of guardianship or custody or
ii. Consent from the guardian with an unaccompanied minor
8. Proof of financial means to pay for your living expenses while in South Africa in the form of:
i. Bank statements
ii. Salary Advances
iii. Undertakings by the host(s) in South Africa
iv. Bursary
v. Medical cover or
vi. Cash available (including credit cards and travelers’ cheques)
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Requirements for Entering South Africa
You will need the following if you wish to visit South Africa:
1. A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay
2. At least one blank page in your passport for endorsements
3. A valid visa, if required
4. Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay
5. A return or onward ticket
6. Yellow fever certificates if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
Don’t forget that there are certain goods that you cannot bring into South Africa and other goods on which duties need to be paid.
For Customs requirements, click here: http://www.sars.gov.za/ClientSegments/Customs-Excise/Travellers/Pages/Arrival-in-SA.aspx
For Agricultural requirements, click here: http://www.daff.gov.za/daffweb3/Services/Imports
Visa Application Process
Applicants are requested to read the following steps carefully before submitting their application at the South Africa visa application centers
Step 1:
Applicants are required to submit their applications personally at the VFS South Africa Visa Application centers
Step 2:
Make a clear copy of all the original documents, previous visas, and two clear copies of a passport data page.
Step 3:
Complete the visa application form. You can download short term and long term visa application form from our website.
Step 4:
Pay your visa application fee and services fee in CASH at the counter at the Visa Application Center.
Step 5:
Along with your application form and documents mentioned on this site, you can come to our application center. Please visit the contact us page of this website for application acceptance timings and days.
This is how to apply for South Africa Visa Application
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FAQs on South Africa Visa Application
Below are the frequently asked questions on South Africa Visa Application
1. How long does South Africa visa processing take?
10 to 15 days
2. How much is South Africa visa fee?
₦8,600
3. Is South Africa visa easy to get?
The application process for the South Africa e-Visa is quick and easy
4. How much do I need to travel to South Africa?
The average price of a 7-day trip to South Africa is $1,814 for a solo traveler, $3,138 for a couple, and $1,891 for a family of 4
5. Is it easy to get a job in South Africa?
It’s tough to get work as a migrant in South Africa unless you have specific skills and qualifications needed in the country
6. How long can you stay in South Africa without a visa?
90 days
7. What currency does South Africa use?
South Afric
an rand
8. Can I sponsor someone for a tourist visa?
A short term US visitor visa or tourist visa can either be self sponsored or you may seek sponsorship from any US resident.
9. What is the penalty for overstaying in South Africa?
A South Africa visa overstay of fewer than 30 days will mean that travelers will be banned for a period of 12 months
10. Can I leave South Africa on an expired visa?
If your visa has expired and your application for extension is still pending, do not leave South Africa unless travel is absolutely necessary
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StudentsandScholarship Team.
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