South Africa tourist and visitor's visa

Some nationalities are exempt from visas for holidays; Turkish citizens, for example, for up to 30 days. Travellers who are not exempt, and any visit outside an exemption, such as business meetings, conferences, sports events, academic sabbaticals, voluntary work, research, visiting relatives for longer, or a holiday beyond the exempt period, need a visitor's visa. Visitors must be permanently resident outside South Africa and travel for a temporary purpose.

On entry the visa becomes a visitor's permit; the immigration officer decides the period of stay, which is shown under 'conditions' on the visa label. Visas are not issued at ports of entry, and airlines may refuse boarding without one.

South African missions ask for form BI-84, proof of fee payment, two passport photos, a passport valid for at least 30 days after the end of the visit with at least two unused pages, a yellow fever certificate if you travel from or through an endemic area, a hotel reservation or an invitation letter from your host (with the host's ID, contact details and written acceptance of responsibility for your maintenance and removal), proof of funds such as bank statements, and a return ticket reservation. Foreign documents must be translated by a registered translator.

The visitor's visa fee is R425 under the fee regulations amended on 17 August 2026. Missions abroad collect it in local currency and state how it must be paid; make sure the full amount reaches them.

For accompanied minors bring consent from the guardian or proof of custody; unaccompanied minors need consent from the guardian. Children joining or accompanying parents need unabridged birth certificates, and proof of adoption or guardianship where relevant.