South Africa Visa Requirements
South Africa visa requirements are not onerously complex, but please ensure that your travel agent gets in touch with the SA embassy/consulate in your country to make sure that you have the latest information.
Please remember that 1. you need to get your visa before leaving for South Africa 2. embassies/consulates generally take their time with applications (up to 10 working days) 3. your travel agent will be able to supply the application form 4. the usual two photographs, original passport, fees (cheap!) and intended travel arrangements must accompany the application.
More information may be required depending on the nature of your trip, but the travel agent will advise you on this.
1.1.1 No visa required
Holders of passports of Australia, United Kingdom, including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Man and British Virgin Islands, the Republic of Ireland as well as British Overseas Territories, do not require visas.
1.1.2 No visa requirements up to 90 days
There are no South African visa requirements for holders of passports of the following countries for holiday or business trips of up to 90 days – or for transits – (unless specifically advised that their visa exemptions have been withdrawn):
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Portugal, Romania (Only diplomatic & official passport holders for holiday visits), San Marino, Singapore, Spain, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Helena, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (Republic of China), United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela
1.1.3 No visa requirements up to 30 days
There are no South African visa requirements for holders of passports of the following countries for holiday or business trips of up to 30 days – or for transits – (unless specifically advised that their visa exemptions have been withdrawn):
Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus (Diplomatic & official passport holders for holiday visits: 90 days), Egypt (Only diplomatic & official passport holders for holiday visits), Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (Only holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas passports, or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports), Hungary (Diplomatic & official passport holders for holiday visits: 120 days), Jordan, Lesotho, Macau (Only holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports), Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Morocco (Only diplomatic & official passport holders for holiday visits), Namibia, Peru, Poland (Diplomatic & official passport holders for holiday visits: 90 days), Seychelles, Slovak Republic, South Korea, Swaziland, Thailand, Tunisia (Only diplomatic & official passport holders for holiday visits), Turkey, Zambia, Zimbabwe (Only government officials, including police on cross-border investigations)
1.1.4 Visas required
You WILL require a visa to travel to South Africa if: – You do not fall into one of the above categories; or – You intend to stay in South Africa for longer than the relevant exemption period; or – You intend to work or study in South Africa; or – You intend to take part in a sports event; or – You intend to take up permanent residence in South Africa. – You will also require a visa – regardless of your nationality or the duration of your stay – if the purpose of your visit is related to the pursuance of your career – for example, clergy who wish to address church meetings, representatives of the media who wish to report, or academics who wish to present lectures or conduct research. Categories affected by this regulation include:
- Concert performers – Stage artists – Musicians – Religious workers – Journalists or persons connected with the news media on extended stay – Photographers – Sports persons with contracts – Models
Again, you need to ensure that your travel agent gets in contact with the South African embassy/consulate to ensure that you comply with South Africa’s visa requirements.
Source: www.southafrica.info
