Port of Entry Visa (Tourist Visa): Section 11(1) - 90 days or less

Important Information on Applying for South African Visas

Applicants for visas will be required to apply in person at the South African mission. No appointment is necessary.

please note:

IN ORDER TO COMPLY WITH REGULATION 2(1) (A) OF THE IMMIGRATION ACT OF 2014, ONLY MACHINE READABLE TRAVEL DOCUMENTS (MRTDs) WILL BE ACCEPTED ON SUBMISSION OF VISA APPLICATIONS AND AT PORT OF ENTRY. THEREFORE, NO EXTENDED PASSPORTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Note: For foreigners who intend to conduct short term or urgent work in the Republic of South Africa, see Requirements for Section 11(2)

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.

U.S. green card holders (non-US passport holders) and nationals of other countries must check the list of visa-exempt countries to see if they need to apply for visas. If the names of their countries are not listed, it means they need to apply for visas. There are also countries that are visa-exempt if the applicant is traveling to South Africa for a period of 30 days or less.

There are countries that are required to apply for visas but are exempt from visa fees, e.g. India, Colombia, Mexico, etc. Please refer to the list of countries that pay for visa and if your country is not listed it means you do not need to pay for visa.

Note: If your visit would exceed ninety days or if you want to travel to South Africa to study or to work, you will need to apply for a temporary residence visa instead of a visitor’s visa. Requirements for a temporary residence visa are not the same with a visitor’s visa.

Yellow fever certificate is required only if the applicant is passing through the yellow fever belt area before entering South Africa.

Foreigners who wish to visit South Africa must have passports/travel documents valid for thirty (30) more days after the intended return date from South Africa. The passport must contain at least two (2) unused (blank) pages labeled Visa when presented at the Embassy or Consulate; One page is for affixing the visa or permits at the Embassy/Consulate and the other page is for endorsement of entry/departure stamp by the South African Immigration Services. Note: Visa pages referred to above do not include pages reserved for Endorsements, Amendments or Observations.

Checklist of Documents to be Submitted:

  • Machine readable valid passport with at least two (2) unused (blank) pages labeled Visa when presented at the Embassy or Consulate; one page for affixing the visa or permit by the embassy/consulate and the other page for endorsement of entry/departure stamp by the South African Immigration Services. Passport must be valid for 30 more days after the intended return date from South Africa.

    PLEASE NOTE: In order to comply with Regulation 2(1) (A) of the Immigration Act of 2014, only machine readable travel documents (MRTDs) will be accepted on submission of visa applications and at Port of Entry. Therefore, no extended passports will be accepted.
  • A duly completed Visa application form DHA-84 signed by applicant
    Note: Under Permanent Residential Address, please state the address in the United States where you reside.
  • Certified/notarized copy of bio page of the applicant’s passport
  • Two (2) passport photos with white or light background
  • Proof of legal status for non-U.S. citizens (Certified/notarized copy of greencard, H1B, F1, J1, etc.)
  • Proof of itinerary/reservation of round trip air tickets. Please do not purchase air tickets until you obtain a South African visa.
  • Proof of sufficient fund (in the form of three months recent bank statements stamped by bank) for own maintenance for the duration of stay
  • Proof of hotel accommodation (confirmed hotel reservation) or a letter of invitation from the host (relative or friend) in South Africa
  • Proof of host’s legal status in South Africa (copy of I.D. Book/ passport if South African citizen) or copy of passport and a copy of visa or residence status in South Africa, certified by the South African Police Service.
  • Yellow fever certificate is required if applicant is passing through yellow fever belt area before entering South Africa.
  • Non-refundable fee of $36.00 money order
  • Certified/notarized copy of birth certificate in case of children below 18 years
  • Consent letter from parent(s) in case of child/children traveling alone or with other parent
  • A statement or documentation detailing the purpose and duration of the visit
  • Attention New York Applicants: The South African Consulate General in New York will no longer accept prepaid envelope/labels from FedEx and UPS with immediate effect. Applicants are welcome to enclose only US Postal Service self-addressed, prepaid courier envelope for this office to facilitate return services.
  • Attention Washington, DC Applicants: With immediate effect, the South African Embassy in Washington, DC will no longer accept a $16.00 fee to facilitate return services, but will accept a prepaid envelope with a tracking number from either FedEx or US Postal Service.
  • Processing time is 5 business days and may take up to 10 days during peak season