South Africa VISA formalities ~ Younger Holidays

INTRODUCTION South Africa VISA formalities

Straightforward and hassle-free to enter, although airport customs officers often check bags for expensive gifts and items purchased overseas.

Travelers from most Commonwealth countries (excluding New Zealand), most Western European nations, Japan, and the USA receive a free, 90-day visitor's permit on arrival.

Visit www.dha.gov.za

The general requirement for all:

Visitors’ visas are for international travelers (citizens of other countries) who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.

Basic requirements for Indians

01Your passport should be valid for at least six months from the date of your entry to South Africa.

For any entry – whether you require a visa or not – you need to have at least two completely blank facing pages in your passport, excluding the last two pages.

Children aged under 18 must show an unabridged birth certificate, with additional paperwork needed in some cases. Your airline will likely alert you to these immigration regulations when you buy your flight.

Immigration officers rarely ask to see it, but you should technically be able to present evidence of a return flight, or onward travel, from South Africa.

If you have an onward flight, print a copy of your e-ticket, or ask your airline's help desk at the departing airport to print a copy of your itinerary.

If you aren't entitled to a visitor's permit, you'll need to obtain a visa at a South African diplomatic mission in your home country, or one nearby. New Zealand citizens require visas.

Visas are not issued at the borders.

If you do need a visa, get a multiple-entry visa if you plan to visit Lesotho, Swaziland or any other neighboring country. This avoids the hassle of applying for another South African visa.

For more information, visit websites such as the Department of Home Affairs (www.dha.gov.za), Brand South Africa(www.brandsouthafrica.com), nd the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements).

Visa Extensions.

It is possible to extend your visitor's permit for an additional 90 days. Apply soon after arrival through VFS Global (www.vfsglobal.com/dha/southafrica).

VFS Global also processes applications for temporary residence permits, which last anything from two to five years. It has offices in 11 cities, including Cape Town, Durban, Jo'burg,And Port Elizabeth.

Immigration consultants include the International English School in Somerset West, near Cape Town.

Extension applications cost R1775 and take eight to 10 weeks to process. They must be submitted in person, and required documents include an onward flight ticket, three months' bank statements,and medical and radiological reports.

Changes made to the immigration regulations in 2014 preclude 'visa runs'. If you reenter South Africa with a still-valid visa, you will not be given a new one unless you are coming from your country of residence. If your visa has expired, you will be given a visa allowing entry for up to seven days, unless you are coming from your country of residence, in which case you will be granted your full entitlement.

If you have traveled in a yellow-fever area within six days of arriving or transited through one for more than 12 hours, you will need to show a vaccination certificate to enter South Africa.

VISA Types

Only Visitor’s visa applications are accepted at VFS centre. (SHORT TERM VISAs)
Visitor's visa will be issued to the following categories:
visits to family or friends and also for tourism purposes+
business purposes
spouse to join a spouse who is in South Africa on a work or study permit
children to join parents who are in South Africa on work or study permits
fiancée/ fiancé to join his or her partner with the intention of marrying within 90 days
study purposes (max stay 3-months)
research
conferences
to work in the production of a movie or show (i.e. in the entertainment industry)
for medical purposes (max stay 3-months)
sport events
Volunteer / Charity work (LONG TERM VISAs)

Long Term visa categories are:

Study Visa

Treaty Visa

Medical Treatment Visa

Relative Visa

Exchange Visa

Business Visa

General Work Visa

Critical skill Visa

Intra Company Transfer Work Visa

Corporate Work Visa

To ensure your application is processed without any delay please includes the following:

Complete and Signed Visa Application Form in Black ink only.

Passport (valid for at least thirty(30) days from intended departure date from South Africa and at least three(3) unused/blank visa pages)

Supporting documentation as per the Purpose of Visit.

For Prospective Applicants

Applicants who wish to apply for a Visa are requested to kindly read the information on this site carefully. The guidelines listed on this site are to help you prepare your documents as accurately as possible. This will reduce the risk of your application being incomplete or take a longer time to be processed.

The South African visa applications can be submitted at the visa application centers in India.

Following Visa Application Centre falling under the view of South Africa High Commission, New Delhi

Kolkata

Jaipur

Gurgaon

Following Visa Application Centre falling under the view of South Africa Consulate General, Mumbai

Ahmedabad

Pune

Goa

Bangalore

How to apply

Step 1 :

Before applying, please ensure you are very clear on your ‘purpose of visit’ – do remember we are here to assist and help you through the entire visa application process but are not permitted to advise or guide you on choosing a visa category. Since our work is primarily administrative in nature, we have no say on whether you will be granted a visa and how long it will take to process, as this is entirely the prerogative of the High Commission and Consulate General. You may refer to the link ‘All about Visas’ to understand the ils of various visas.

Step 2 :

Complete your visa application form and affix your photograph. You may download the form from this website.

Step 3 :

Ensure photos are as per specifications.

Step 4 :

Attach all supporting documents required as per the list. Make sure your application is complete. Incomplete applications are not accepted.

Step 5 :

Submit your application at the VFS center along with the applicable fees in cash

Step 6 :

Track your application online

Step 7 :

Collect your passport from the VFS center or wait for courier delivery.

Please note that in some cases personal appearance may be required at the South African High Commission, Delhi, and the Consulate General of the Republic of South Africa, Mumbai prior to a decision being taken on your application. The VFS Visa Application Centre shall assist you to make an appointment for the same.

Important Note: -

Applicants are requested to complete the Visa Application Form with their own details like contact no., email id, etc. this information would help VFS and South African High Commission to reach you in case of any additional requirements.

Whichever documents getting submitted from India (like NOC from an Asian company, Covering letter etc.) needs to be in Original for all the Categories.

All the documents from South Africa need to be attested by the issuer of Oaths for all the Categories.

Bank Statements and Pay Slips need to be Stamped and Signed by the concerned authority for all Categories.

After submission

You can track your application by entering your Reference Number and your Date of Birth.

Important: SMS will not be delivered to Mobile Nos. registered with DND facility of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India.

Tracking Visa Status

Go to the website https://www.vfsvisaonline.com for the status of an African visa. The applicant needs to click on the link provided there

South Africa visa application centers in India

The South African High Commission: The South African High Commission is located in the city of New Delhi. The address is B-18, Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi - 110 057. The contact number is (11) 2614 9411 to 9420 / 2614 4504 (Visa Section). The fax number is 011 2614 3605.

Consulate of South Africa: The Consulate of South Africa is located in the city of Mumbai. The address is Gandhi Mansion 20-Altamount Road, Cumballa Hill, Mumbai - 400 026. The contact number is (22)23893725. The fax number is (22)23893730.

Proof of funds

(Last 03 month's bank statement signed and stamped on each and every page by the bank with a balance of INR 60,000 for Delhi which is equivalent to foreign exchange worth USD 1000 and minimum INR 20,000 for Mumbai which is equivalent to South African Currency R 3000.