Everything You Need To Know About South Africa Visa

All foreign nationals require a visa to visit South Africa, unless they come from a visa-exempt country. As the United Kingdom falls in the list of visa-exempt countries, British nationals do not need a visa to enter South Africa. 

All UK nationals can visit South Africa, and can stay inside the country for 90 days without a visa.

Depending on the purpose and nature of the foreign national’s visit, authorities in South Africa have classified their visas into several types, and some of the most noted ones are mentioned below.

South Africa tourist visa

UK citizens intending to visit South Africa for tourism-related activities can apply for a tourist visa. Even though a tourist visa is not required for British nationals to enter South Africa, the traveler should meet the conditions mentioned below to stay visa free.

• The passport of the applicant should be machine readable, and it should have a minimum validity of six months. The passport should also have two blank visa pages for possible markings. If the passport of the foreign national is less than six months, it is highly recommended to renew it before starting your trip to South Africa.
• The traveler should hold all documents that shows the nature and purpose of the trip.
• In order to visit South Africa for tourism-related activities, the foreign national should hold proof of sufficient funds. As a proof of sufficient funds, the foreign national can carry recent bank statements during the trip.
• It is necessary to hold proof of onward and return flight tickets.
• The UK citizen should hold all documents that are required for the next destination.
• Before the journey, the traveler should confirm with the airline that boarding is allowed without a visa, as these rules are subject to change.

South Africa business visa

South Africa issues business visas to foreign nationals who intend to visit the country for business-related activities. It should be noted that British nationals do not need to obtain a business visa to stay in the country for 90 days.

However, the traveler should make sure that he or she is meeting the conditions mentioned below.

• During the journey, the traveler should carry a machine-readable passport with a minimum validity of six months, and two blank pages.
• It is necessary to old proof of sufficient funds.
• In order to stay visa free in South Africa for business purposes, the applicant should hold all documents that prove the nature and purpose of the trip.
• The traveler should hold proof of onward and return flight tickets. It is also recommended to carry the full version of the itinerary.
• The traveler should also hold all documents required for the next destination.
• It is always recommended to confirm with the airline company that boarding is permitted without a visa.

Note: Even though British nationals do not need a visa, citizens of countries like India who reside in the United Kingdom should obtain a visa to enter South Africa.

South Africa transit visa

Citizens of the United Kingdom do not need a visa, if they are transiting to a different destination through South Africa.

In order to stay visa-free, British nationals should make sure that they are meeting the conditions mentioned below.

• To stay visa free, the foreign national should make sure that he or she is transiting through O R Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka or Lanseria International.
• The applicant should carry a machine-readable passport.
• The passport of the applicant should have a minimum validity of six months. This passport should also have sufficient blank pages.
• It is necessary to hold visa for the next country where applicable.
• The traveler should hold all documents required for the next destination.
• It is necessary to hold proof of sufficient funds.
• The traveler should hold proof of onward and return flight tickets.
• Before the journey, the traveler should confirm with the airline company that boarding is permitted without a visa.

What will happen if foreign nationals overstay in South Africa?

South Africa is a country where laws are strictly followed, and violators will be compelled to face strict legal consequences.

As per the amended South African Immigration Act 13 of 2002, overstaying after the validity of the visa is considered a serious offense, and violators will be banned from entering the Republic for the next five years.

Note: On June 01, 2015, South African authorities revealed that minors under the age of 18 should submit their passport along with an unabridged birth certificate with particulars of both parents to enter the country. If the child is traveling with only parent, an affidavit from the absent parent should be submitted. If the child is traveling with another adult other than parents, it is necessary to submit an affidavit signed by both the parents. However, this move received widespread backlash, and as of October 2016, more than 13,000 tourists were denied entry to South Africa due to the unabridged birth certificate requirement. In 2018, authorities in South Africa revealed that they are planning to intend the scrap this requirement for children traveling.