Passports and Visas service is temporarily suspended
Due to COVID-19 and the health of our employees, we will not be accepting new applicants at this time.
South Africa Visa – Requirements and Application
Do I Need a Visa for South Africa?
You won’t require a Tourist or Business visa if you’re visiting South Africa for 90 days or less. A passport with 30 days validity is required with two empty pages for entry stamp. If you don’t have two blank pages on your passport, you will not be allowed to enter South Africa.
South Africa Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to South Africa? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
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| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | ||
| Vaccinations | |
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Sources: South Africa Embassy and U.S. State Department
What Do I Need for a South Africa Visa Application?
Tourist and Business visas are not required for travel to South Africa. Even though these visas aren’t required, you will need your passport, your passport photo, and proof of travel.
The tabs below will give you more information about the different types of visas you will need.
In addition to a completed application form, the following items are required:
Passport:
- Must be readable
- Has to have at least 6 months validity
- 2 blank pages
Photographs:
- 2×2 inches
- Colored photograph with plain background
Proof of Travel:
- Airline ticket showing entry and exit of South Africa
- Confirm that airline will permit you to board plane without a visa
Business travelers must submit the following with their South Africa visa application.
Passport:
- Must be readable
- Has to have at least 6 months validity
- 2 blank pages
Photographs:
- 2×2 inches
- Colored photograph with plain background
Proof of Travel:
- Airline ticket showing entry and exit of South Africa
- Confirm that airline will permit you to board plane without a visa
There are many visas travelers can apply for in order to visit South Africa. Life Partner, Spouse, Work, Corporate, Medical Treatment, Study, Crew, Relative, Treaty, Exchange, and Volunteer are some of the visas you can apply for before going to South Africa.
How Can Passport Health Help Me With the Visa Process?
Passport Health’s travel documents team will walk you through the visa process step-by-step and handle the sometimes difficult communication with embassies and consulates. Contact us today to start your worry-free visa processing.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Visa for South Africa
“Our travel document specialist was incredibly professional, hyper efficient, quick, and made the process worry-free. I would highly recommend for busy professionals who need some last minute help before a big trip (we are going to South Africa). Will come back!”
“My wife and I are traveling to South Africa in March for our daughter’s wedding. We’ll be there a while and need visas for our stay. We were served by the travel documents staff and couldn’t be happier. They were extremely informative and organized in discussing various aspects of our trip including a review of each part of the visa process. Thank you so much!”
“My son is traveling to South Africa this summer. We contacted Passport Health about getting his visa. They were extremely knowledgeable and spent more than two hours going over what was specifically needed for my son’s visa. They helped to put my mind at ease. I would highly recommend this service.”
“I had planned to visit my daughter in South Africa 8 months ago so I had visited Passport Health at that time (great experience). Unfortunately, our family plans changed and we could not go to Africa. So here we are in March 2019 and I have most of the shots and information down but now I needed a visa for the trip. Thanks to the very nice staff who helped me and was efficient with our time and accommodated all my questions. I will definitely use them again – they are awesome!”
“This service was wonderful. The travel documents staff was very nice and friendly and gave me all the information that I will need for my South Africa visa. We now have our visa and are ready to travel. Thank you so much!”
How Much Do South Africa Visas Cost?
Visa pricing varies based on type of visa, length of stay and number of entries. South African visas generally start around $30.
Service and consular fees as well as postage are not generally included in the price of a visa.
Are Any Vaccines Required for South Africa?
Most travelers need the hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines while some travelers should receive hepatitis B or rabies vaccines.
Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a country where yellow fever is present.
For more information on vaccines, discover our South Africa destination advice page.
U.S. Embassy in South Africa
All Americans visiting South Africa should register online with the U.S. Department of State before departure. This will inform the office of your travel plans within the country and will allow them to reach out in the case of an emergency or evacuation.
Once in South Africa, the information for the U.S. embassy is:
U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg
1 Sandton Drive (opposite Sandton City Mall)
Johannesburg 2196
South Africa
Telephone:+(27)(11) 290-3000 / 011-290-3000 (from within South Africa)
Emergency After-Hours Telephone:+(27) 79-111-1684 / 079-111-1684 (from within South Africa)
Fax: +(27)(11) 884-0396 / 011-884-0396 (from within South Africa)
Email: consularjohannesburg@state.gov
For More Information About South Africa…
See Passport Health’s South Africa destination advice page with information on safety, climate and more. Or, start you visa process by contacting us today!
Do I Need a Visa for South Africa?
What Do I Need for a South Africa Visa Application?
South Africa Tourism Visa Application
South Africa Business Visa Application
Other South Africa Visa Applications
How Can Passport Health Help Me With the Visa Process?
How Much Do South Africa Visas Cost?
Are Any Vaccines Required for South Africa?
U.S. Embassy in South Africa
For More Information About South Africa…
