Requirements For Uk Visa For South African Citizens
If you are longing for more excitement and thrill in your everyday lives then it is the time to travel by availing the South African citizenship and visa. The visa will facilitate easy travel and openness to the world. The applicant has to fulfill some requirements that can also aid them with their visa plans.
I want to share a personal experience. Until 1 year ago, I was living and working in South Africa as a citizen of that country. There was a point in time where we were not sure if my wife would get the UK visa and move with me to the United Kingdom. Even when we did get her visa, there were some problems in getting a work permit, which put us into further financial stress. Fortunately, she worked as an intern for my company and earned enough to get the visa and be able to move here without having financial stresses. But, it may not always be this easy for everyone who is planning on moving from Cape Town, South Africa with his or her family and friends to another country — especially if you haven’t spent enough time in South Africa applying for visas for family members. The key is to start early. That’s what I’m going to talk about today with regards to starting your applications too late versus starting them at an earlier stage — if only it was possible for me to go back and do things differently during that stressful period of time!
There are several requirements for a visa to enter the UK as a foreign worker. The process is lengthy and therefore it is important to be prepared with the right documentation at the time of application. There are no guaranteed requirements, but here is a list used by the British Embassy in Pretoria.
Requirements For Uk Visa For South African Citizens
The UK is a favored tourist and business destination for millions who visit the United Kingdom every year. The UK is often referred to as the “Home of Golf”, but there is much more to it than just golf. Many come to the United Kingdom for higher education, while some come on business or work visas.
The majority of foreign passport holders are required to obtain a South Africa visa to travel to the country. A South Africa visa for UK citizens is not required for short periods of stay, but British passport holders need a South African visa for longer visits and certain travel purposes
A South Africa eVisa system has now been launched for 14 countries. The South Africa electronic visa is available through a simple online application which will only take a few minutes to complete.
The electronic visa is being implemented in order to expedite the application process to allow foreign citizens easier access to South Africa, eliminating the need to apply at a consulate or embassy.
A South Africa electronic visa for UK citizens is not currently available, and it is not yet known if British nationals will be added to the eVisa program in the future. At present, British passport holders who need a South Africa visa need to submit an embassy application.
Do I Need a Visa for South Africa from the UK?
At present, citizens of 28 countries can enter South Africa visa-free for up to 30 days. Passport holders of an additional 48 nationalities can visit South Africa visa-free for tourism or business for a maximum 90-day stay, including citizens of the United Kingdom.
Although a South Africa visa for UK citizens is not required for stays up to 90 days, British travelers will be required to obtain one of the South Africa visa types for longer visits and purposes other than tourism or business.
British nationals who possess specific professional skills that are in demand in the country are able to apply for a South Africa critical skills visa for UK citizens. This is available for different periods depending on the type of work to be undertaken.
Those who wish to apply for a South African work visa for UK citizens can do so at the embassy in London, or through a Visa Facilitation Services Center in South Africa.
Those wishing to stay for longer than 90 days for tourism or business will also need to apply for a South African visa for UK citizens from an embassy or consulate.
South Africa Visa Requirements for British Citizens
The South Africa visa requirements for British citizens depend on the type of visa the individual needs.
In most cases, they will require:
- A valid UK passport
- Completed application form for the relevant visa type
- Payment method to pay the visa fee
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay in South Africa
Additional documents will be requested depending on the type of South Africa visa from the UK the applicant requires. These may include:
- Proof of medical insurance cover
- Letter of invitation from an educational institute (study visas)
- Police clearance certificate (study or work visas)
- Certificate from the Department of Labor (work visas)
If the South Africa eVisa becomes available for UK citizens, this page will be updated with the requirements for the electronic visa.
How to Apply for South Africa Visa from the UK
As stated above, a South African eVisa for UK citizens is not currently available.
British nationals are not currently able to use an online application if they need a visa for South Africa. Instead, they must use the traditional embassy application method and need to:
- Make an appointment at the nearest South African embassy or consulate
- Complete a visa application
- Gather the supporting documents required for the type of visa
- Attend an in-person interview with the relevant documents
- Pay the visa fee to submit their application
Processing times for South African embassy visas can often be lengthy. Therefore, UK applicants are advised to begin the process of obtaining the visa far in advance of their intended date of arrival in South Africa.
Once the visa is approved, travelers will be able to visit the country using a copy of the South Africa Visa for UK citizens and their corresponding passport, which must be the same as that used for the application.
Depending on the type of visa issued, additional documentation may be requested at border entry points before the traveler is granted entry.
These may include proof of onward or return flights, or a certificate of vaccination if the traveler is arriving form a yellow fever country.
The South African Embassy in the UK
Although a South African tourist visa for UK citizens is not necessary for short stays, British nationals who require a travel document such as a work visa or a study visa will be required to apply at the South African embassy in London.