1
. Who requires a tourist visa for South Africa? |
| A tourist visa
for South Africa is required by all except the following for
business and tourist purposes: |
- nationals of EU countries,
Australia, Canada, Japan and US for visits of up to 90
days;
- nationals of Iceland,
Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland for
visits of up to 90 days;
- nationals of Argentina,
Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Malta, Paraguay,
St Helena, Swaziland, Uruguay and Venezuela for visits
of up to 90 days;
- nationals of Antigua &
Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Bolivia, Cape
Verde, Comoros Islands, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana,
Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Jordan, Korea (Rep. of), Lesotho,
Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia,
Peru, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Thailand,
Turkey (except holders of Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus passports, who do require visas) and Zambia for
visits of up to 30 days;
- transit passengers continuing
their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft
provided holding onward or return documentation and not
leaving the airport.
|
| Note
: Holders
of Visitors visas are not allowed to take up employment
in South Africa. Unaccompanied children must hold written
consent from their parents when travelling alone. Passports
valid for at least 6 months beyond date of departure from
South Africa required by all. |
2.
What are the required documents for a tourist visa for South
Africa? |
- Passport valid for 6 months
beyond date of departure.
- 2 passport-size photos
with signature on reverse side.
- 1 completed application
form (failure to complete the application fully and in
detail may result in visa being delayed or refused).
- Proof of sufficient funds
to cover visit.
- Onward/return ticket and,
if in transit, proof of sufficient documentation for admission
to the country of destination.
- No criminal record
- Visitors should be of
sound mind and body.
|
| For study
permits : Official letter of acceptance from South
African academic institution. |
| For work
permits : Official letter of employment from South
African company stating salary and position. |
| For business
visas : Letter from employer. |
| Note
: In the case
of failure to comply with any of these regulations, visitors
may be required to leave a cash deposit with the Immigration
Officer. |
3.
How much time is required to issue a tourist visa? |
| Applications
should be made well in advance. Although the minimum processing
time is 3 days, nationals applying for a visa are advised
to apply up to 10 weeks before their departure date. |
4.
What are the costs of visa for South Africa? |
| Visitors,
Business, Re-entry and Transit:
Study Permits: (depending on level of
education).
Work Permits:
Work Seekers Permits:
Nationals of India, Zimbabwe
and GAP students are exempt from visa fees. |
5.
How do I applying for a South African work visa? |
Present immigration
policy in South Africa is tight due to the emphasis placed
on giving jobs to the general population of South Africa.
This is seen with the focus on Affirmative action laws being
passed where all businesses need to report on what their
'quotas' are and where they will be in the future.
|
| However, if you
have a skill that is in short supply or have wads of cash
ready to invest in South Africa - you will be able to get
a work visa. |
| The current requirements
are: |
- You must be of good character
and a desirable inhabitant
- You must not be
likely to be harmful to the welfare of South Africa
- You cannot have
an occupation in which there is already a sufficient number
of people available to meet the current requirements of
that occupation
|
| 6.
Categories for work visas |
- Workers.
Applicants must be within the age group 18 to 51, with
an acceptable offer of employment, commensurate with their
qualifications and experience.
- Spouse and/or
dependent child. Applicants must be legally married
to/the child of a South African citizen or permanent resident,
able to submit proof that the breadwinner has an offer
of employment in SA or sufficient financial resources
to be financially independent.
- Retired person.
Applicants must be of appropriate age, with transferable
capital, pensions and/or private income payable in South
Africa.
- Financially independent
person.
Applicants must have a minimum of R1,500,000 capital/investment
in South Africa, are expected to maintain themselves on
the income by that investment and refrain from engaging
in employment or establishing an own business for three
years, without obtaining prior consent from the Department
of Home Affairs.
- Own Business/Business
Partnership. Applicants must have a viable business
prospectus/partnership agreement and feasibility study,
together with sufficient transferable assets for investment
in the business and to maintain an acceptable standard
of living.
- Sponsored persons.
Applicants can be sponsored by a South African citizen
or permanent resident, namely:
(a) children/grandchildren,
(b) a fiancé(e) to whom marriage within 90 days
of arrival in the Republic is intended.
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South
Africa Visa Information