South Africa Visitor Visas

In South Africa, several visa services are available for those who wish to enter the country for a short-term visit. Whilst tourism and private visits are covered by South African visitor permits, the more specialist medical visit visa and extended visitor permit are also available.

You can find out whether you qualify and set your South African visa application in motion today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area.

South African Visitor Permit

The South African visit permit, often referred to as a tourist visa or travel visa allows foreign nationals to enter the country for a period of up to 90 days. This type of short-term visa is a non-immigrant temporary residence permit and does not allow its holder to work in South Africa.

Visa Benefits

The key benefit of a short-term visit visa for South Africa is that the requirements on the part of the applicant are minimal. Unlike longer term South African visas such as work permits, business visas and student visas which place specific requirements upon candidates, a visit visa allows its holder to visit South Africa for up 90 days, which may in some circumstance be extended by a further 90 days, without any such criteria. The basic requirements of a visit visa are that applicants can support themselves financially whilst in South Africa, have no criminal record and that they depart on or before the expiry of their permit. Where a visa for tourism is extended, applicants must be in possession of return travel tickets.

Extended Visitor Visa

The extended visitor visa for South Africa is also a temporary resident permit and like a standard visitor permit, it does not lead to permanent residency in South Africa. However, it does grant up to three years to its holder and is designed for those relocating to South Africa in order to conduct research, charity work, or study. The requirements are slightly more strict for this type of visa and a substantial amount of documentation will be necessary as part of the application. A Global Visas immigration consultant will be able to go through the exact requirements of this South African immigration service with you. Although this visa service permits its holder to study in South Africa it is important to note that it does not grant the right to work. Those wishing to live and work in South Africa for the duration of their extended visitor visa will need to apply for a South African work permit as well.

South African Transit Visa

In South Africa, visas are also available for those who will be transiting through the country en route to another final destination within a period of 72 hours. These visas are specifically intended for people who need to stop off in South Africa only as part of a longer journey and do not permit holders to leave the international transit zone of the airport other than to depart by their specified onward flight. Holders must be in possession of onward travel documents.

South African Medical Permit

Medical Permits are a fairly recent addition to South African immigration services although they are growing in popularity. They allow a foreign national to enter South Africa to undergo medical treatment at either a private or public hospital or bona fide medical institution. Medical visas also include, rehabilitation clinics, residential homes, and health farms.

Medical Visa Eligibility

South African Medical visas are valid for up to 90 days and require all applications to include a letter from the medical institution detailing the condition, the treatment which will be given, the consultant who will be treating the case and the likely time that treatment will take. It will also be necessary to offer proof of medical cover and to show that an applicant can financially support himself or herself throughout the time in South Africa.

In some circumstances South Africa may waive the need for a visa where emergency medical attention is required. However, once treatment has taken place an immigration officer will visit the patient to ensure that the appropriate visa is issued for the necessary length of stay. In these circumstances, the person in charge of the emergency vehicle is responsible for reporting the presence of the foreign national in South Africa.

At Global Visas, our unrivalled team of specialist immigration consultants are committed to ensuring that you obtain the best visa for you. Complete one of our straightforward online assessment forms now and one of our consultants will contact you directly.