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Visas for South Africa

The tourist visa

For tourist or business stays of less than 90 days, holders of some passports do not need to apply for a visa beforehand. They will be granted a 90-day residence permit at the border upon arrival in the country.

Conditions:

• The passport must still be valid 30 days after the intended date of return.
• The passport must have at least 2 blank pages.
• A return ticket is required.

It is possible to apply for a visa extension for an additional 90 days. The application is made online at the and must be made at least 60 days prior to the originally scheduled departure date.

There are very often delays in applying for visa extensions, and if by the time you leave, you have not obtained the extension and leave the country anyway, you will be banned from returning to South Africa for a period of time.

It is strictly forbidden to work or volunteer on a tourist visa under penalty of fine, arrest or deportation with a ban on re-entry for a period of time.

Medical visa

This visa is issued to people who wish to come to South Africa for medical treatment for less than three months.

All applications for medical visits must include a letter from a doctor or medical institution stating the nature of the illness, the reason or need for the treatment, the duration of the treatment and details of the appointment(s) made in South Africa as well as full contact details of the person or institution responsible for the medical and hospital expenses. Proof of medical coverage must be provided if a health insurance plan covers medical expenses.

Persons requiring medical treatment for more than three months must apply for a temporary residence permit.

Patients transported by emergency aircraft or vehicles are allowed to enter the country without a visa, and the person responsible for the transport (pilot, driver of the vehicle) must report the arrival of the patient as soon as possible to an office of the Ministry of Interior.

An immigration officer will then issue the medical visa. If the patient does not have a valid passport, they will receive a visa that will legalize their stay for the duration of their hospitalization.

Read also Healthcare in South Africa

Visas for people working in the entertainment industry

If the person is from a country that requires a prior visa application and does not intend to work in South Africa for more than six months, they will need to apply for a tourist visa and permission to work at the nearest South African embassy or mission.

If the application is approved, a visa will be issued for a period of between 30 and 90 days.

Permits for South Africa

Below is a list of documents generally required for all permits to South Africa:

• Application form duly completed and signed by the applicant.
• Passport valid for at least 30 days after payment of the prescribed fee and with 2 contiguous blank pages.
• Proof of payment of the application fee.
• Full birth certificate.
• Medical and radiological examination reports.
• Criminal record or police certificate from each country where the applicant has resided for 12 months or more since the age of 18.

Retirement Permit

It is possible to obtain a Retirement Permit in South Africa provided you have a pension or annuities of at least R37,000.00 per month and an additional R3,000.00 per dependant. This renewable permit is issued for 4 years.

Applicants are required to renew their temporary resident visa pending the outcome of their permit application if the application is made in South Africa.

Additional documents to be provided:

• Proof of funds requested.
• Appointment letter to VFS (Visa Facilitation Service).
• Original valid passport for dependents.
• 1 passport-size photo for the applicant and dependents.
• South African police certificate validated at the time of biometric registration at the VFS center.

Financially Independent Retirement Permit

This is an alternative to the retired visa when the applicant does not have an income or pension of R37,000.00 per month but can prove that they have a capital of R12 million (it is not necessary to bring this capital to South Africa). This permit gives the right to permanent residence, but the application fee is very high: 120,000.00 Rands. They are payable in 2 installments, the first (the lesser) at the time of application and the second when the application is approved. The response time is between 12 and 24 months.

Student Permit

If you're looking to study in South Africa, you can apply for a student permit either in the country of origin at the South African embassy or through the VFS center closest to the chosen school. The visa is issued for the duration of the studies.

Additional documents to be provided

• Proof of financial means to cover tuition and living expenses (bank statement).
• Cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return ticket.
• Contact information for a guardian in South Africa (for minors).
• Written consent from parents (if a minor).
• Official letter from the school confirming provisional enrollment.
• Proof of medical coverage

The holder of a student permit is allowed to work part-time but not more than 20 hours per week.

Read also Study in South Africa

Exchange Permits

These are issued to foreign nationals up to the age of 25 who wish to participate in cultural, economic or social exchange programs administered by a state agency or public institution of higher education in cooperation with a foreign state agency. Applications must be submitted to a regional office of the Department of Home Affairs, the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.

The validity of an exchange permit depends on the duration of the program for which it is issued and cannot exceed 12 months. Exchange permits cannot be renewed or extended.

If an exchange permit application is accepted, no temporary resident permit will be issued within 12 months of the exchange permit.

Additional documents to be provided:

• Proof of sufficient financial means (bank statements) for the duration of the stay.
• Proof of accommodation in South Africa
• Proof of medical coverage
• A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return ticket or a commitment from the relevant institution to cover repatriation costs, if necessary.
• A letter from the Department of Education or a public higher learning institution in South Africa confirming that it is responsible for the organization of the program, describing the activities and their duration, and confirming that it will assume full responsibility for the student during their stay in the country.
• A letter from the foreign government agency, confirming the student's personal information and proof of enrollment in a foreign institution of higher education.

Cooperation visa (Treaty visa)

This visa allows foreigners to come to South Africa to participate in cooperation programs between South Africa and their respective countries. The cooperation activities can be political, cultural, economic or social and paid in South Africa.

The visa is issued for the duration of the program and can be renewed.

Additional documents to be provided:

• Document indicating the nature of the program and its duration.
• Document indicating the activities carried out during the program.
• Proof of financial means until the first salary is paid.
• Return ticket.

The visa is issued for the duration of the program and can be renewed.

Parent Permit

A kinship visa may be issued to a foreigner who is an immediate family member of a South African citizen or permanent resident, provided that the citizen or permanent resident provides the prescribed financial assurance of R8500.00 per person per month. Kinship visas are issued for a maximum period of two years and are renewable.

Additional documents to be provided:

• Proof of the parent's South African citizenship or permanent residence in South Africa in the form of an identity document.
• Proof of availability of a minimum of R8500 (salary slip or bank statement) per month per person for living expenses (this does not apply to spouse or children).

Good to know:

The holder of a kinship visa may not engage in any professional activity in South Africa.

Applications must be submitted to a regional office of the Department of Home Affairs or to the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.

Spouse Permit

The spousal permit allows a foreign national, whether married or not, to reside legally in South Africa with their South African spouse or residence permit holder. It also applies to same-sex relationships.

It is issued for 3 years and is renewable.

Additional documents to provide:

• Marriage certificate.
• Notarized agreement in case of cohabitation.
• Proof that the relationship has lasted at least 5 years in the case of cohabitation (proof of common address, dated photos, etc.).
• Letter from the spouse confirming that they will financially support the partner.

Good to know:

The spouse visa authorizes the holder to work and study.

General work permit

It is issued when it has been proven that the employer has not found anyone available in the South African labor market with the required qualifications, skills and experience for the job.

Before applying for a general work visa, the prospective employer must request a certificate from the Department of Labor confirming that no South African candidate with the skills required for the job has been found and that the salary and benefits granted to the prospective employee will be equivalent to the average salary and benefits of employees in similar positions in South Africa. An employment contract stipulating the terms and conditions of employment and signed by the employer and the prospective employee, in accordance with applicable South African labor standards, is required for approval of the general work visa.

Proof of qualifications assessed by the South African Qualification Authority (SAQA) and translated by a sworn translator into one of the official languages of the Republic must be provided as well as full contact details of the employer with proof of registration of the company with the Intellectual Property and Companies Commission (IPCC).

General work visas are valid for the duration of the employment contract or for a period not exceeding five years.

Additional documents to be provided:

• Proof of financial means to cover living expenses until the first salary is paid (bank statements, available cash).
• A written undertaking from the employer to cover the costs of repatriation of the applicant and their dependent family members, if necessary.
• A letter from the employer agreeing to inform the Ministry of Labor if the employee is no longer employed by the company or is employed in a different position.
• All required documents for dependents.

Read also Working in South Africa

Essential Skills Work Permits

Essential Skills Work Permits are issued for a period not exceeding five years. This permit is granted to individuals with skills and qualifications that are lacking in South Africa. The list of occupations is published in the Government Gazette of 02 February 2022. The previous list published in 2014 has been updated, and many professions have been excluded.

Since the new regulation, it is mandatory to have a job offer to apply for this visa.

Additional documents to provide:

• Proof of financial means (bank statements) to cover living expenses up to the first salary.
• A cash deposit equivalent to the value of a return ticket or a commitment from the employer to pay the return ticket.
• Proof of application for a certificate of registration with the accredited professional body, board, or commission recognized by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
• Employment contract.
• Letter from current employer dated within six months.
• Proof of at least five years post-qualification experience.
• Letter of recommendation from previous employers.
• Proof of SAQA-assessed qualifications.
• Complete resume.
• Cover letter stating that the applicant's qualifications will add value to the field in which they will practice.
• All documents required for dependents.

Intra-company transfer work visa

Multinational companies may decide to transfer an employee from a foreign branch to a subsidiary in South Africa. The employee must apply for an intra-company transfer work visa. The applicant must have worked for the company for at least six months before being able to transfer to South Africa.

The intra-company transfer work visa is for four years and cannot be renewed or extended.

Additional documents to be provided:

• Proof of financial means to cover living expenses up to the first salary.
• A cash deposit equivalent to a return ticket.
• Employment contract with the company abroad.
• Letter from the overseas employer confirming that the employee is being transferred to a South African subsidiary.
• Letter from the South African company confirming the transfer and specifying the employee's occupation and position and the duration of the transfer.
• A signed statement from the employer that the employee will leave South Africa at the end of the four-year period, that the passport is valid for that period and that the applicant will only be employed in the capacity stated in the application.
• All required documents for dependents.
• A written undertaking from the employer agreeing to cover the costs associated with the repatriation of the applicant and their dependents, if necessary.
• A letter in which the employer agrees to inform the Ministry of Labor if the employee is no longer employed by the employer or is employed in a different position.

If the employee is seconded to a South African subsidiary for a specific period of time but is paid by the parent company, a business visa should be applied for.

Business Permit

An enterprise permit allows a legal entity (e.g., mining group, farmer, etc.) to employ a predetermined number of workers. A business visa is issued for a period not exceeding three years. Applications must be submitted to a VFS center, the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad.

To apply for a Business Work Visa, the company must submit the following:

• Statement demonstrating the need to employ foreign workers and the number of workers.
• Certificate from the Department of Labor.
• Proof of registration of the company with the: South African Revenue Service, Unemployment Insurance Fund, Worker's Compensation Fund and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.
• Evidence that at least 60% of the total workforce employed are citizens and permanent residents permanently employed in various positions.
• Job description and compensation for each foreign worker.
• Evidence that foreign workers have valid passports and will only be employed in the specific positions for which the visa is issued and will leave South Africa at the end of their contract.

Business Visa

The business visa is intended for investors, either to start a business in South Africa or to invest in an existing business. As an applicant, the financial contribution will be determined by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Additional documents to be provided:

• Submit a certificate issued by a chartered accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants proving that you have the required capital contribution
• The applicant undertakes that at least 60% of the total workforce employed in operations will be South African citizens or permanent residents, permanently employed in various positions.
• The applicant undertakes to register with the South African Revenue Service, the Unemployment Insurance Fund, the Workers' Compensation Fund and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission.
• Letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry attesting to the feasibility of the business and its contribution to the national interest of the Republic.

If investing in an existing business as a partner, the investor will need to provide proof of investment and partnership agreement, financial statements for the previous financial year and a certificate from the Department of Labor confirming that 60% of the staff employed are South Africans or permanent residents.

The above capital requirements may be reduced or waived for the following types of industries or businesses: information and communication technology, textiles, chemicals and biotechnology, agro-processing, metal and mineral refining, automotive manufacturing, tourism and crafts.

The business visa is granted for two years but renewable without a time limit.

The following companies are considered undesirable:

• Businesses looking to import vehicles into South Africa with the intention of later exporting them to other countries.
• Exotic entertainment industry.
• Hotel industry.
• Fast food restaurants and franchises.
• Cosmetics industry.

As the tourism sector has been severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the South African government is considering the introduction of a new visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, which would cover remote workers.

The extension of a visa must be requested sixty days before the expiration of the visa. The application is made .

It is possible to apply for a permanent residence permit after five years in South Africa on a temporary permit. The process is long and tedious.

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