Do I Need a Visa to Visit Johannesburg Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa and one of the 50 largest urban areas in the world. It is the provincial capital and largest city of Gauteng, which is the wealthiest province in South Africa. While Johannesburg is not one of South Africa's three capital cities, it is the seat of the C…Johannesburg
Where can I find more information about South Africa’s Visa requirements?
For more details and more complex requirements you can visit the South African Department of Foreign Affairs website.
How long can you stay in South Africa on a medical visa?
If you seek medical treatment in South Africa, you will be required to apply for a Medical Visa which will grant you up to a 6 month stay in the country but will require the successful completion of a specialised form with a statement or letter from your doctor stipulating the reason for which you require the medical treatment in question.
Do you have enough empty passport pages to travel to South Africa?
You’ll also need to double check that you have enough empty passport pages. Each entry into South Africa requires you to have two empty pages and they need to be consecutive. These empty pages need to be the ones marked with “visa” (rather than “endorsements,” “amendments” or “observations.”)
Is Johannesburg safe to visit?
Johannesburg is informally known as Jozi, Joburg, or “The City of Gold”, is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 50 largest urban areas in the world. It is the provincial capital and largest city of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa. Johannesburg is one of the most unsafe cities to travel to.
Can I go to South Africa without a visa?
U.S. citizens (U.S. passport holders) visiting the Republic of South Africa for ninety (90) days or less for tourism / business purposes do not need visas.
How long can you stay in South Africa without a visa?
At present, American citizens can visit South Africa visa-free for up to 3 months. US citizens are visa-exempt for South Africa for the following purposes: Visiting family or friends.
How do I get a visa for Johannesburg?
Documents required to apply for a visaA passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your intended visit.Your passport must have at least TWO unused page for entry / departure endorsements.A completed Form BI-84 (application for a visa)Payment of the prescribed fee.More items...
Which countries can enter South Africa without visa?
Where Can South Africans Travel Without a Visa?CountryAllowed stayKenya30 DaysKosovo90 daysSouth Korea30 daysLesotho90 days58 more rows
What documents do I need to enter South Africa?
If you are thinking about traveling to South Africa, the most important document you will need is a passport, which should be valid for at least six months from the date of your entry to the country. Regardless of whether you require a visa or not, you also need two completely blank facing pages on your passport.
How much does a South Africa visa cost?
Non-refundable visa fee of ₦8,600, excluding service fee. See the full checklist to ensure you have all the required documents.
How long does it take to get a visa to South Africa?
Four to 12 weeks, depending on where you submit When you submit your application abroad, you'll wait approximately 4 to 8 weeks on an outcome. This waiting time increases to 8 to 12 weeks if you submit your application in South Africa.
Do I need a visa to visit South Africa from UK?
You can travel to South Africa for any purpose for up to 90 days without a visa. You should check the expiry date of your visa or entry stamp and make sure you do not overstay. You may need to complete a health form to enter South Africa. See Visas and Passport validity sections for more information.
How long does it take to get a South African e visa?
Processing times vary depending on the type of visa one is requesting. However, Nigerian citizens planning to visit South Africa for short-term trips and applying through an embassy can expect to have their visa processed within 10-15 days.
How do I get a visa for South Africa?
All visitors need a passport to enter South Africa. Unless you come from a visa-exempt country it is also necessary to present a visa. At the moment, visitors who require a visa must apply at a South African embassy or consulate in person and provide biometric data.
Where do I get a visa for South Africa?
Applications must be made at any regional office of the Department of Home Affairs or nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad. A passport with at least 1 free page for a visa.
What countries do I not need a visa for?
Where Can Americans Travel Without a Visa?AlbaniaGermanyNamibiaAmerican SamoaGibraltarNetherlandsAndorraGreeceNew ZealandAnguillaGreenlandNicaraguaAntigua and BarbudaGrenadaNorthern Mariana Islands42 more rows
How long can foreigners stay in South Africa?
90 daysA temporary residence permit allows a foreign national, such as international students, foreign workers and tourists, to legally stay in South Africa for longer than 90 days. If you wish to stay in South Africa for a period of less than 90 days to visit family or as a tourist, you may apply for visitors' visa.
What happens if I overstay 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. In addition, they will also be given the status of “undesirable person”. In the event that a traveler overstays their visa for more than 30 days, the ban period will be at least 5 years.
Can I extend my stay in South Africa?
Foreign nationals who wish to extend their visa while in South Africa should visit the nearest office of the South African Department of Home Affairs in order to file an application. The request must be submitted in-person. Alternatively, visitors can decide to use the services of a registered immigration practitioner.
How do I get temporary residence in South Africa?
Where to apply for a temporary residence visathe South African diplomatic representative in his/her country of origin, or.at a South African diplomatic representative in a neighbouring country if there is no South African diplomatic representation in the applicant's country of origin.
What is the difference between a South African visa and a South African Passport?
A visa allows you to enter and leave South Africa and is an endorsement on your passport. A passport is a document issued by the South African gove...
How much does a South African Visa Cost?
The cost of a South African visa depends on the type of visa that you are applying for and is subject to change from time to time and may be less o...
How long does a South African visa take?
This will depend on the category or visa type which you are applying for. The Department of Home Affairs cannot guarantee the outcome or the length...
What type of permits do I need to visit South Africa?
As a requirement for entering South Africa, apart from a successful visa application, you will need an International Certificate of Vaccination and...
Which countries are exempt from South African visas?
Andorra,ChileIrelandMonacoRussiaTrinidad & TobagoArgentinaCzech RepublicIsraelNamibiaSaint Vincent & The GrenadinesTunisiaAustriaDenmarkJamaicaNeth...
How Safe Is Johannesburg for Tourists?
Johannesburg is not the safest city to travel to. The crime index here is at a high level. The main problems are related to violent crime, robbery,...
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Johannesburg?
Visitors to South Africa must obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countrie...
Which Currency Is Used in Johannesburg?
The rand is the official currency of South Africa. It is subdivided into 100 cents.
How's the Weather like in Johannesburg?
In Johannesburg, the summers are long, warm, and partly cloudy, and the winters are short, cold, dry, and clear. The best times to visit Johannesbu...
What Do I Need to Know about Airports in Johannesburg?
O. R. Tambo International Airport is an international airport situated in Kempton Park, Gauteng, South Africa. It serves as the primary airport for...
Should I Get Travel Insurance for My Travels?
A travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country or city. Make sure you got it before starting your journey; the customs officer...
What Are Some Things to Do in Johannesburg?
Johannesburg, South Africa’s biggest city and capital of Gauteng province, began as a 19th-century gold-mining settlement. Its sprawling Soweto tow...
Is the Water in Johannesburg Safe to Drink?
Tap water is drinkable and good for use.
Is Uber Safe in Johannesburg?
There is an Uber taxi in the city; you can call a taxi from your smartphone application. The fare will depend on the time of day, and the distance...
What is Johannesburg known for?
Johannesburg is informally known as Jozi, Joburg, or “The City of Gold”, is the largest city in South Africa, classified as a megacity, and is one of the 50 largest urban areas in the world. It is the provincial capital and largest city of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa.
What is the common goal of robbers in Johannesburg?
There is a risk of armed attacks or kidnapping in Johannesburg, and the common goal of robbers is to get your money and valuables. Therefore, if you are attacked, give the robbers what they ask of you to save your life.
Is Johannesburg safe to travel to?
Johannesburg is one of the most unsafe cities to travel to. Here it would help if you always kept an eye on your belongings and your surroundings. It is better not to walk alone at night.
Is pickpocketing common in Johannesburg?
Pickpocketing is common in Johannesburg, especially in outlying areas and on public transport. Do not carry a lot of cash and expensive things with you. Keep your documents in the hotel safe.
How long is a visa valid for South Africa?
A visa will be issued for a visit for tourism or business purposes and is valid for a period of 90 days. Some countries are exempted from visa control, which means that citizens from those countries do not need a visa to visit South Africa.
What happens if you don't have a visa?
If you arrive without a visa, immigration officials are obliged to put you onto a flight back to your home country. Depending on your intended visit, you can apply for a Visitor’s Visa or a Transit Visa. or contact the Department of Home Affairs.
Why can't consular officers make a decision on a visa application?
Sometimes a consular officer is unable to make a decision on a visa application because he/she needs to review additional documents or the case requires further administrative processing. When additional documents are requested, the consular officer will give you a refusal letter that asks you to submit additional documents. The letter will include instructions on how to send those documents to the Embassy.
How to interview for a diversity visa?
If you are interviewing for a Diversity Visa (DV), all of the above instructions apply to you. Please schedule and attend a medical examination prior to your visa interview; enroll in the required courier service; and gather the required documents.
Can you bring a disabled person to a special needs visit?
Special Needs Visitors: Applicants may bring ONE person to help if they are elderly, disabled, or a minor child.
What you need to know about visas for South Africa
Visitors with passports from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and many European countries are exempt from needing a visa for South Africa if they meet specific conditions. But keep in mind that requirements can change quickly.
Countries exempt from needing a South African visa
If you’re traveling with a passport from the US, UK or Canada, you do not need a visa to visit South Africa as long as your trip is for tourism or business and isn’t more than 90 days.
Passport requirements for all visitors to South Africa
South Africa’s immigration regulations state that your passport needs to be valid at least 30 days beyond your planned date of departure from the country. However, both airline and immigration officials are known to insist on that validity period being six months.
Other required documents
Even if you’re exempt from needing a visa, you’ll need to have proof of onward travel showing you won’t be in South Africa more than 90 days. There are also health requirements, both the latest for COVID-19 and for other diseases.
The visa process for South Africa
For those who need a visa, a few countries are eligible to apply for South Africa’s new e-visa. (More countries are expected to be added in 2022.) Other passport holders will need to apply for visas at the South African embassy or consulate in their home country.
What does a visa for South Africa mean?
A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed at a South African embassy, mission or consulate and that the consular officer has determined you are eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose.
How long does a visitor visa last in South Africa?
Visitors’ visas are for international travellers (citizens of other countries) who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.
How long is a passport valid?
A passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your intended visit. Your passport must have at least one unused page for entry/departure endorsements.
Is there a fee for a visa?
Remember that there is a fee charged for issuing a visa, and you should check the cost with the office as well as this is updated annually. The fee is payable in different currencies in different countries.
Is a visitor's permit valid in South Africa?
Visitors are restricted to the activity or reason for which their visas were issued. On entry to South Africa, a visa is considered to be a visitor's permit. The permit’s period of validity is calculated from the date of entry into the country and will be set out under the heading "conditions" on the visa label.
