South Africa Tourist Visa - Things To Know
With a tourist visa of South Africa, foreign nationals can migrate temporarily to South Africa for a time period up to three months or 90 days
. South African tourist visas prohibit undertaking employment and are solely intended to be a temporary form of immigration service. You must make it a point to apply and get your visa prior to your departure to South Africa.
Remember that visas are not offered at any of the South African points of entry. Thus if you happen to arrive in this country without a visa, you will be refused entry.
Benefits of a South African tourist visa
South African tourist visas are designed for short term visits and requirements to be fulfilled by applicants are minimal. Under certain special circumstances, this visa can also be further extended to 90 days. However, applicants must be able to produce proof of their return tickets of travel.
Who requires tourist visas for South Africa?
A South African tourist visa is required by everyone with the exception of the below mentioned countries:
- Citizens of EU countries, Canada, Australia, Japan and U.S.A for visits till 90 days.
- Citizens of Liechtenstein, Iceland, New Zealand, Switzerland and Norway for visits till 90 days.
- Citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Chile, Israel, Malta, Jamaica, Paraguay, Swaziland, Helena, Venezuela and Uruguay for staying up to 90 days.
- Nationals of countries like Antigua & Barbuda, Slovak Republic, Singapore, Thailand, Seychelles, Peru, Namibia, Mexico, Mauritius, Maldives, Malaysia, Malawi, Lesotho, Korea, Jordan, Hungary, Hong Kong, Guyana, Gabon, Cyprus, Costa Rica, Comoros Islands, Cape Verde, Bolivia, Botswana, Benin, Belize Zambia and Turkey for visits extending till 30 days.
- Transit passengers who continue their journey through the same or the first linking aircraft and holding return documentation as well as those who do not leave the airport are exempt from obtaining South African tourist visas.
South African tourist visa eligibility
South African tourist visas are available in primary two categories.
- Standard short-term visit visa is given for three months but can be extended once again by three months based on the purpose of extension and provided the individual has a valid return ticket.
- Extended visitor permit is a tourist visa intended for those wishing to carry on research, studies or interested in pursuing voluntary work within the country.
Candidates who wish to make an application for a South Africa tourist visa must provide these:
- A valid passport with at least a remaining validity of six months.
- Passport sized colour photographs
- Proof that they are able to support themselves monetarily throughout their stay within the country.
- The candidate has a sound mind and possesses no criminal record
- An onward or return ticket
- A single completed form of application for the visa.
- Certificates of Yellow fever are required provided the journey entails crossing the belt of Yellow fever in Africa or South America.
It is recommended that tourist visa applications for South Africa travel are made much in advance - up to ten weeks prior to the departure date. Though the minimum processing time taken can be as less as three days, it is always better to do it early.
by: Scott King
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