If you wish to travel to South Africa, you will need to apply for a temporary residence visa that aligns with the purpose of your visit.
The South African Immigration Act sets out the various types of visas, each with their own unique set of requirements. Temporary residence visas can be issued for anywhere between three months and five years, depending on the visa category.
Lee and Truter Attorneys can assist you with all types of visa applications, including assessing the best options for you and your family, preparing the necessary documents, and submitting the applications to the relevant authorities.
Short-Term Visa Categories
Visitor’s Visa (Tourism)
A Visitor’s Visa can be issued for up to 90 days and allows you to travel for tourism purposes. However, nationals of certain countries are “visa exempt” and are not required to apply for a visa before entering South Africa. Should you not be a national of a visa exempt country, you will be required to apply for a visa before your trip.
Furthermore, nationals of certain countries may be eligible to apply for an e-visa.
A Visitor’s Visa can be extended for a further 90 days from within South Africa.
Visitor’s Visa (with Work Endorsement)
If you are required to conduct short-term work in South Africa, you may apply for a Visitor’s Visa with a Work Endorsement for up to 90 days.
This visa can be extended for a further 90 days from within South Africa.
Long-Term Visa Categories
Visitor’s Visa (Long-Term)
A Visitor’s Visa can be issued for up to three years to those engaging in certain activities in South Africa, namely:
- An academic sabbatical;
- Voluntary or charitable activities;
- Research;
- Work conducted for a foreign employer that relates to –
- Teaching at an international school;
- In respect of films and advertisements produced in South Africa, including, but not limited to, an actor, cameraman, hairstylist, make-up artist or lighting and sound engineer;
- A foreign journalist seconded to South Africa by a foreign news agency;
- A visiting professor or lecturer or an academic researcher;
- An artist who wishes to write, paint or sculpt;
- A person involved in the entertainment industry, traveling through South Africa to perform;
- A tour leader or host of such tour; or
- A religious leader of a recognised religious organisation or denomination.
Visitor’s Visa (Digital Nomad)
South Africa has recently introduced the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers in South Africa with an annual income of at least ZAR 1 million.
A Digital Nomad Visa is valid for a maximum period of three years and can be renewed within South Africa. If the visa is issued for longer than six months, within a 12 month period, the holder will be required to register as a tax payer in South Africa.
Study Visa
If you have been accepted into a learning institution in South Africa, you may apply for a Study Visa for the duration of your studies. Furthermore, a Study Visa allows you to conduct part-time work (20 hours per week).
Business Visa
If you are seeking to establish or invest in a business in South Africa, you will need a Business Visa. A letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry, based on an assessment of the feasibility of the business and its potential contribution to South Africa’s national interest, is required for a Business Visa.
When applying for a Business Visa, you will have to prove your ability to invest ZAR 5 million in the business and ensure that 60% of the total staff complement are South African citizens or permanent residents. However, certain businesses may apply to waive the ZAR 5 million investment requirement.
A Business Visa is valid for three years and may be renewed within South Africa.
Critical Skills Work Visa
If you have been offered employment in South Africa, and your skills and qualifications fall within the list of professions deemed to be critical to South Africa, you may qualify for a Critical Skills Visa. However, before applying for the visa, you will need to have your foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and apply for membership with the necessary professional body.
A Critical Skills Work Visa is valid for a maximum period of five years and can be renewed within South Africa.
General Work Visa
If you have been offered employment in South Africa, and do not qualify for a Critical Skills Visa you may apply for a General Work Visa. Your employer will have to apply for a letter of certification from the Department of Labour that there are no suitable South African citizens or permanent residents for the position. The Department of Home Affairs will not issue the visa without a certification from the Department of Labour. However, you may also apply for a waiver of this requirement.
A General Work Visa is valid for a maximum period of five years and can be renewed within South Africa.
Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa
If you are an employee of a foreign company, an Intra-Company Transfer Visa will allow you to be transferred to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate company in South Africa. However, a plan must be developed to show how you will transfer your skills to the South African citizen or permanent resident employees.
An Intra-Company Transfer Visa is valid for a maximum period of four years. An Intra-Company Transfer Visa cannot be renewed within South Africa.
Medical Treatment Visa
If you are traveling to South Africa to receive medical treatment, you will need a letter from a registered medical practitioner or institution outlining the treatment plan and expected duration. You will have to prove sufficient financial means for the medical treatment. A Medical Treatment Visa does not allow the holder to work in South Africa.
A Medical Treatment Visa is valid for a maximum period of six months and may be renewed within South Africa.
Retired Person’s Visa
If you wish to retire in South Africa, you will need to show that you receive a monthly amount of ZAR 37, 000. Importantly, this amount must come from a pension, irrevocable annuity, retirement account, or from your net worth. A Retired Person’s Visa can be endorsed for work purposes in certain circumstances.
A Retired Person’s Visa is valid for a maximum period of four years and can be renewed within South Africa.
Exchange Visa
An Exchange Visa will allow you to visit South Africa for a cultural, economic or social exchange. The exchange must be administered or organised by an organ of state or learning institution. The Exchange Visa will be issued for the duration of the exchange.
If you are under 25 years of age, you may qualify for an Exchange Visa to conduct work for a period of one year in South Africa.
Accompanying Spouse/ Children
If you have been issued one of the following visas:
- Visitor’s Visa (Long-Term)
- Study Visa
- Business Visa
- Critical Skills Visa
- General Work Visa
- Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa
- Medical Treatment Visa
- Retired Person’s Visa
- Exchange Visa
your spouse and/or children may be issued with accompanying visas. The accompanying visas do not allow for work or study in South Africa.
An accompanying visa is valid for a maximum period of three years and can be renewed within South Africa.
Relative’s Visa
If you are the relative (second degree of kinship) of a South African citizen or permanent resident, you may apply for a Relative’s Visa. A Relative’s Visa does not allow you to work in South Africa. Consequently, your South African or permanent resident relative must prove financial means to support your stay.
A Relative’s Visa is valid for a maximum period of two years and can be renewed within South Africa.
Spousal Visa (with Endorsement)
If you are the spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident, you may request that your visa be endorsed for work, study, or business purposes.
The Spousal Visa (with Endorsement) is valid for a maximum period of three years and can be renewed within South Africa.