VISITOR'S VISA SECTION 11(6) FOR SPOUSE OF A SOUTH AFRICAN CITIZEN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT

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.

Visitor visa section 11(6) is ONLY issued to a spouse of a South African citizen or permanent residence holder who is possession of a Relative’s visa. Such person must apply for a Visitor’s visa section 11(6) to allow him or her to work, study or conduct business. It cannot be issued to any other dependent person (brother, sister, mother, father, etc.).

notes:

No person holding a visitor’s visa may apply for a change of status to his or her visa while in the Republic, unless under exceptional circumstances set out below:

  • in need of emergency life saving medical treatment for longer than three months;
  • is an accompanying spouse or child of a holder of the business or work visa, who wishes to apply for a study or work visa;
  • be that the holder’s continued stay in the Republic is required for any purpose related to a criminal trial in the Republic: Provided that such application shall be initiated by the relevant Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions and addressed to the Director-General.

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. 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.
  • Medical report on prescribed form (physical)

  • Radiological report on prescribed form (chest X-ray)
  • Original FBI certificate (full criminal background check report) and original police clearance certificate (criminal background check) from all countries applicant lived in since age 18 for 12 months or longer.
  • No fee
  • Marriage certificate or in the case of a foreign spousal relationship, proof of official recognition thereof issued by the authorities of the foreign country of the applicant (where applicable)
  • The affidavit where a spousal relationship to a South African citizen or resident is applicable as well as documentation proving cohabitation and the extent to which the related financial responsibilities are shared by the parties and setting out the particulars of children in the spousal relationship
  • Full birth certificates in respect of each dependent child
  • Proof of a union recognized in terms of the Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998 (Act No. 120 of 1998), where applicable. DHA 1712A Form 12 filled out by applicant and South African citizen/permanent residence holder.
  • Divorce decree, where applicable
  • Death certificate, in respect of late spouse, where applicable
  • Legal separation order, where applicable
  • Proof of payment of applicable fee
  • An employment offer, where applicable
  • Proof of registration of the business with CIPC and proof of registration with SARS, where applicable
  • Proof of provisional acceptance from an educational institution, where applicable
  • Support letter and copy of ID of spouse who is a South African citizen or permanent resident
  • Proof that the spouse is a South African citizen/permanent resident (certified copy of South African I.D. book)
  • 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 USPS self-addressed, pre-paid 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 for long visas exceeding 90 days may take up to 3 to 4 weeks.
  • Where to submit your application