South African visa is a document that allows you to enter or leave the country at any time. It might be considered a visitor’s permission card.
A tourist or visitor must first produce a current visa if they want to prolong their journey in South Africa. A 90-day visa will be issued for a trip that is either for business or pleasure.
Several nations, however, are exempt from getting a visa. Therefore, residents of such countries do not need a visa to visit South Africa.
How to Apply for a South African Visa in 2024
An S.A. visa can be obtained in two methods.
- Online
- In-person
Online
To apply online, follow the steps below.
Access the South African e-Visa portal.
To begin your visa application, go to the Department of Home Affairs website and apply. You will be provided with four steps: Make your profile, fill out the online form, upload your documents, and confirm safe payment. Begin with the very first step.
Create an account
Your name, passport number, expiration date, email address, and password must be provided. You will then be given a verification email that you must use to activate your account.
Fill out the application form.
You must complete the application form truthfully, providing information like your name, surname, date of birth, passport-type, occupation, contact information, etc. Any incorrect information can prevent your visa from being rejected.
Submit all necessary paperwork.
Following that, you must upload all required travel papers, such as a copy of your passport, a passport-size photo, and anything else they may want.
Pay the fees and wait for a response.
In-person
To apply in person takes little.
A few countries have the eligibility status to apply for a visa online. You must apply for a visa in person if your country is missing.
Below are the steps to follow.
- The first step is to obtain all of the necessary paperwork.
- The second step is to make an appointment with the South African Embassy or Consulate nearest you.
- This is also an excellent opportunity to find out whether you need to pay the visa fee in cash or with a credit card
- You may also ask questions where you need help understanding to get more information.
- Arrive at least half an hour early (remember to bring all your documentation) on the day of your meeting.
- You’ll need to answer questions regarding your trip, provide biometrics, submit your papers, and pay the visa cost at your appointment.
- You’re finished! All you have to do now is wait for the Embassy to complete your South Africa visa. After your visa is approved, they will notify you by email.
Processing Period For a Visa to South Africa
- The typical processing period for visa applications approved at a visa interview is 7 to 10 days. The delivery window should be at least 2 to 3 working days.
- It takes to process a visa is 21 working days from the time the embassy receives the application.
- You should expect a response to your overseas application within four to eight weeks. If you submit your application in South Africa, the wait time jumps to eight to twelve weeks.
- Any processing times listed are merely approximations. If you need a visa, we advise applying well before the date you plan to go.
- However, the processing time ranges from 10 to 15 working days if you’re applying for one of the short-term visas.
Factors that Prolong the Processing Time for South African Visas
Due to your citizenship, connections to particular nations, or field of study, additional security and background certifications typically delay the process. The processing of these other clearance checks could take a few weeks to many months. There is no way to speed up or get around this procedure. Also, there is a sizable backlog due to attempts to centralize overseas missions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Get An eVisa To South Africa?
It takes about three days and sometimes 5 in cases of too many visa applications.
Conclusion
To get a visa to South Africa, you only need to follow the steps stated in this article.
