E Visa For South Africa

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An E Visa for South Africa is a unique program implemented by the SA government allowing an entry to South Africa for interested tourists and businessmen. However, it is worth knowing that this visa application process is a bit different than the one that most travelers go through.Looking to visit South Africa across the border? You need an E visa for South Africa . This article provides information on E visa requirements and help you identify documents that you need to include with the application.

The South African Government recently announced that it will be introducing electronic visas for nationals of some countries. For this first phase, citizens from India, China and Brazil will be able to visit South Africa without a visa so long as they apply online and pay a fee of €60.One of the most important steps in planning a trip to South Africa is applying for a visa. Even though there are some exceptions to this requirement, most countries require one or another type of visa. When deciding on the type of visa to apply for, you should consider the entry and exit points in South Africa, the purpose and length of your stay, and your citizenship.

E Visa For South Africa

South Africa Visa

Electronic Visa to enter South Africa

Apply for South Africa visa

Important: The South Africa eVisa is now available. Travellers from 14 countries can get a visa for South Africa online. More information about the eVisa launch

What is the Online Visa for South Africa?

The South African electronic visa system is now live.

The South Africa eVisa was launched in February 2022 for travellers from 14 countries. More countries will be added to the list soon.

The eVisa system makes travelling to South Africa easier. Eligible passport holders can now apply online and receive the approved visa by email.

South Africa visa

Why an e-Visa for South Africa?

The new system simplifies the South African visa application process. Most eVisa applications will be approved in a few days and sent to the foreign national via email.

Conveniently, eligible travellers can now get a visa online, from their smartphone, laptop, or other electronic device.

The application for the South Africa e-Visa is quick and easy to complete. Applicants to fill out an easy-to-use online form with their personal, passport, and travel information.

The approval process is fast-tracked by cross-checking whether the citizen already holds an approved Schengen visa for Europe or a visa for the United States of America.

When will the South African online visa be available?

The South Africa eVisa was launched in February 2022. Passport holders from 14 countries can apply for a South African visa online. The trial phase has been successfully completed.

The electronic visa for South Africa will be extended to passport holders from more countries soon.

Thanks to this new scheme, authorisations for trusted travellers and returning South African nationals will be processed electronically, eliminating the need to go to an embassy or consulate.

Who needs a South African visa?

There are several types of South Africa visas. A foreigner’s nationality will determine the type of visa they need.

With traditional applications, visitors who require a visa for South Africa must petition it in person, provide biometric data and hold a passport at least valid for 1 month after they depart from South Africa (and with at least one blank page).

Visitors from more than 100 countries who want to explore the country are currently required to obtain a visa from one of the South African diplomatic missions. These countries include:

south africa visa policy

By Gorden Cheng

  • Algeria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burundi
  • Central African R.
  • Congo
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Djibouti
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Estonia
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Iraq
  • Kuwait
  • Lebanon
  • Libya
  • Madagascar
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Oman
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • Sri Lanka
  • Syria
  • Taiwan
  • Tunisia
  • Yemen

Check the complete list of countries ►

Visa-exempt countries for South Africa

At the moment, there are over 50 nationalities who can enter the country without a South Africa visa for up to 90 days:

There are more than 25 nationalities who can enter South Africa without a South African visa for periods of up to 30 days:

  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Bahamas
  • Barbados
  • Belize
  • Benin
  • Bolivia
  • Cape Verde
  • Costa Rica
  • Cyprus
  • Eswatini
  • Gabon
  • Guyana
  • Hungary
  • Jordan
  • Lesotho
  • Macau
  • Malawi
  • Malaysia
  • Maldives
  • Mauritius
  • Mozambique
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Thailand
  • Turkey

Other visa exceptions apply to those who hold special or diplomatic passports issued by certain countries. Travellers should note that all exceptions are applicable only when travelling for the purposes and for the period of time specified.

If in doubt regarding the type of visa that best suits your needs, nationality, and circumstances, please refer to the nearest South African embassy.

Please note: holding a certain passport or having been issued a visa does not guarantee entry into the country.

Who needs a South Africa Online visa?

Passport holders from 14 countries can now apply for a South Africa eVisa. The eligible countries in 2022 are:

More countries including Australia, Canada, the United States, and all EU member states could be added to the list soon. Until then, travellers from these countries need to apply for a traditional embassy visa for South Africa.

Do I need a visa for short stays in South Africa?

Citizens who are not from visa-exempt countries need to obtain a South Africa visa before entering the country.

Citizens of 14 countries can get a visa for South Africa online. Visitors from other countries need to apply for a visa through the embassy.

Once the South African eVisa has been fully implemented, the government plans to offer this electronic visa to the eligible nationalities, thus simplifying applying for a South African visa.

The list of eligible countries and eVisa requirements will be published on this website once the government has finalized the list. It could be the case that certain nationalities who are currently visa-exempt may need to obtain the eVisa once it is available.

South Africa e-Visa vs traditional visas: Advantages

South Africa’s eVisa system makes it quicker and easier to apply for a visa.

Online simpler application

The South Africa eVisa application is 100% online. Travellers can complete the application form from their smartphone, laptop, or other electronic device.

Supporting documentation (i.e. the copy of the petitioner’s passport) will be uploaded in electronic format.

The electronic visa application for South Africa reduces waiting times and the costs involved with travelling to a South African embassy or consulate (often multiple times) to obtain a paper visa.

Quicker, more secure border checks

The e-Visa is also expected to make international travel safer and smoother. At the border, immigration officials can check the visitor’s details on an electronic database. The screening process will likely be much quicker.

Simultaneously, the South African authorities will have digitised, streamlined information regarding the international travellers who have entered the country on an e-Visa.

Travel to South Africa with an online visa

The new electronic visa for South Africa is for short term tourist and business trips.. South Africa has much to offer in terms of tourist attractions and it is the ideal destination for both nature and culture lovers.

The e-Visa allows for great flexibility in terms of travel planning. Since it is expected to be approved in a short time, travellers can use it for last-minute trips.

It is advisable to apply at least a few days in advance in case of delays.

What to do at the airport with the electronic visa

Once the online visa request has been approved, the applicant will receive their e-Visa by email.

Upon arrival at the South African border, they will be asked to show their travel documents and permissions. The passport (or other eligible ID) must be the same as the one used during the e-Visa application.

Upon examining the visitor’s travel documents and (if applicable) their luggage, the final decision regarding a foreigner’s permission to enter the country is made by the South African authorities.

At border control, it is important to collaborate with the South African officers and answer all questions that may be asked.

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