A Visitors Permit is intended for foreigners who wish to visit South Africa on a temporary basis for the purpose of tourism or general business for three months or less.
The Visitor’s Visa is available in two main categories namely; Short-term Permit and Extended Visitor’s Permit.
Short-term Permit
Who is this visa for?
A Short-term Permit is valid for three months and is suitable for tourists and persons who are visiting the country on business for a short period of time.
Eligibility Criteria
- Yellow fever certificate (if applicable),
- Passports and travel documentation which is valid for at least thirty days after intended return date.
- Passport must contain at least two blank pages.
Additional Information
This permit is extendable for a further three months on one occasion (depending on the purpose of extension).
Long Stay Visitors Visa
Who is this visa for?
This visa is designed for foreigners who wish to stay in South Africa for a period longer than three months but shorter than three years.
Eligibility Criteria
A candidate can qualify for an Long Stay Visitors Visa if:
- You are an accompanying spouse or life partner to a foreigner who holds or qualifies for a valid work visa, business visa, study visa, retirement visa, crew visa, treaty visa or relative’s visa
- You are accompanying a child or children
- You are partaking in an academic sabbatical which is supported by your educational institution
- You are teaching at an international school
- You are involved in films and advertisements which is produced in South Africa, including, but not restricted to, an actor, cameraman, make-up artist, hairstylist or sound and lighting crew
- You are a journalist employed by a foreign news agency
- You are conducting research activities, with legitimate proof of financial support
- You are an artist who wishes to perform, paint, write or sculpt
- You are a tour leader or host of a tour
- You are the spouse or life partner of a South African citizen or permanent resident and you have been offered a job, has opened and conducts your own business or have registered to study
- You, as parents, are both foreign nationals on temporary residency visas and you have had a child that was born in South Africa
Additional Information
A long stay visitor’s visa is valid for no longer than three years, provided the applicant possesses the necessary financial resources to sustain themselves.
If you want your spouse to accompany you, you must provide:
- Marriage certificate or spousal affidavit
- Divorce decree (if applicable)
- Proof of court order awarding custody (if applicable)
- Support confirmation from your spouse.
- Undertaking to repatriate the family from the temporary residence permit visa holder’s employer.
For an accompanying child you must provide the following:
- Proof of support from parents
- Undertaking to repatriate the family
- Proof of necessary funds
- All minors under eighteen years of age need to possess an unabridged birth certificate when entering or exiting the boarders of South Africa.
