South Africa
South Africa visa guide: visitor, work, residence and asylum
- 12 visa types
- checked 23 October 2026
How visas for South Africa work
South Africa's visas and permits are governed by the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 and its Regulations and administered by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). Visas are not issued at ports of entry: travellers who need one must obtain it before departure from a South African embassy or consulate, or through VFS Global, which runs DHA's application centres. Inside South Africa, temporary and permanent residence applications are lodged through VFS.
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality and purpose. Some nationalities are exempt for holidays, Turkish citizens for example for up to 30 days; business trips, longer stays and all other purposes need the appropriate visa. A digital Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is being rolled out, first for visa-required tourists from selected countries.
Visa fees were last set by Gazette 55209 of 17 August 2026: R425 for visitor, transit, study, medical, retired person and relative's visas, R1,520 for work, business and corporate visas and permanent residence, and R500 for the ETA. Since 8 July 2026 a Ministerial Directive waives the medical report for all visa and permanent residence applications. Long-term work visas are now assessed with a points-based system determined in October 2024.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday: visa-free if your nationality is exempt (Turkish citizens up to 30 days); otherwise, or for a longer holiday, a visitor's visa.
Business meetings, conferences or family visits: visitor's visa (up to 90 days).
Medical treatment: visitor's visa for under 3 months, or a medical treatment visa for up to 6 months at a time.
Studying: study visa (part-time work up to 20 hours a week).
A job offer in an occupation on the Critical Skills List: critical skills work visa; other jobs: general work visa.
Investing in or opening a business: business visa.
Working remotely for a foreign employer: remote work visitor's visa (income of at least R650,796 a year).
Retiring on a pension: retired person's visa (R37,000 a month).
Joining a South African relative: relative's visa; long-term settlement: permanent residence.
Visa types for South Africa
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Visitor's visa (section 11 of the Immigration Act) and visa-exempt holiday visits
Business meetings, conferences, family visits and holidays need a visitor's visa under section 11 of the Immigration Act unless your nationality is exempt for the trip; Turkish citizens, for example, are exempt for holidays of up to 30 days.
Maximum stay: Visitor's visa: up to 90 days as endorsed; visa-free holiday stays depend on nationality (30 days for Turkish citizens) - Medical treatment visa Visitor's visa for medical treatment and medical treatment visa
Treatment in South Africa lasting under three months uses a visitor’s visa for medical purposes; longer treatment needs a medical treatment visa, issued for up to six months at a time.
Maximum stay: Visitor’s visa: under 3 months; medical treatment visa: up to 6 months at a time
Business and self-employment
- Entrepreneur and start-up visa Business visa (section 15 of the Immigration Act)
Foreigners who want to establish a business in South Africa or invest in an existing one apply for a business visa.
Study and training
- Student visa Study visa (section 13 of the Immigration Act)
Foreigners accepted at a South African learning institution apply for a study visa, which costs R425.
Maximum stay: Duration of the course, as stated in the acceptance letter
Work
- Skilled worker visa Critical skills work visa (section 19(4) of the Immigration Act)
The critical skills work visa is for people with a job offer in an occupation on South Africa's latest Critical Skills List.
Maximum stay: Up to 5 years at a time - Work visa General work visa (section 19(2) of the Immigration Act)
The general work visa is for foreigners with a job offer in South Africa in an occupation that is not on the Critical Skills List.
Maximum stay: Up to 5 years at a time or the duration of the contract - Digital nomad visa Remote work visitor's visa (section 11(1)(b)(iv) of the Immigration Act)
Since 9 October 2024 South Africa issues a remote work visitor's visa to people employed by a foreign employer who need to stay for more than three months and up to three years.
Maximum stay: More than 3 months, up to 3 years
Family
- Family reunification visa Relative's visa (section 18) and visitor's visas for spouses and children
Immediate family members of South African citizens or permanent residents can apply for a relative's visa, provided the citizen or resident gives the prescribed financial assurance.
Residence
- Retirement visa Retired person's visa (section 20 of the Immigration Act)
Foreigners who want to retire in South Africa can apply for a retired person's visa if they meet the financial requirements of the Immigration Act and Regulations.
- Permanent residence Permanent residence permit (sections 26 and 27 of the Immigration Act)
South Africa grants permanent residence directly under section 26 (for example after five years on a work visa with a permanent job offer, or five years as the spouse of a citizen or permanent resident) and on other grounds under section 27 (permanent job offer, critical skills, business, refugees, retirees, financial independence and relatives).
Maximum stay: Permanent
Online travel permits
- Electronic travel authorisation (ETA) Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
South Africa’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is an online visitor authorisation applied for at eta.dha.gov.za and linked to your passport.
Validity: Multiple trips within the ETA’s validity, linked to the passport
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection Asylum and refugee status (Refugees Act 130 of 1998)
A person who enters South Africa through a port of entry and wishes to seek asylum receives a non-renewable section 23 asylum transit permit, valid for 14 days according to DHA, to report to the nearest Refugee Reception Office.
Validity: Section 22 permit: 6 months, extendable; refugee section 24 permit: 2 years, renewable
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
It depends on your nationality and purpose. Some nationalities are visa-exempt for holidays, Turkish citizens for example for up to 30 days; business trips, longer stays and other purposes require a visa obtained before travel, as no visas are issued at ports of entry.
Can I get a South African visa on arrival?
No. Visas are not issued at South African ports of entry.
How much is a South African visitor's visa?
R425 under the fee regulations of 17 August 2026; missions abroad collect it in local currency.
Does South Africa have a digital nomad visa?
Yes, a remote work visitor's visa for people employed by a foreign employer with a gross salary of at least R650,796 a year, for more than 3 months and up to 3 years.
Do I still need a medical report?
No. Ministerial Immigration Directive No. 10 of 2026 waives the medical report for all visa and permanent residence applications, including pending ones.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 23 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.