Tourism Visa

South Africa, like every country in the world, has the sovereign right to decide who may or may not enter its territory. The purpose of a visa on the one hand is to ensure proper screening of applicants so that prohibited or undesirable persons are not admitted to the Republic of South Africa and on the other hand to facilitate the entry of approved applicants at South African ports of entry.

Possession of a visa does not guarantee the holder automatic admission into the Republic of South Africa. A visa only authorises the holder to proceed to the Republic to report to an immigration officer at a port of entry for the purpose of being examined as to his/her ability to comply with the (entry) requirements of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002), as amended, and its Regulations.

Please note that although the Embassy strive to issue the visas in the shortest possible of time your understanding will be appreciated if it will not be possible due to unforeseen circumstances.

You are kindly reminded that in terms of the South African Immigration Regulations applicants other than Austrian, Slovenian or Slovak passport holders must be in possession of valid residence permit in order to apply at this Embassy.  Applications have to be submitted in person, however, if you are physically working, staying and living, as a citizen or a permanent resident in the Slovak Republic or in the Republic of Slovenia, where no South African Representative are stationed, you may forward the application via registered mail to the Embassy (please note that NO email applications will be accepted and will not be scanned for correctness). This entails that all applicants residing in a country, for example like Austria or Germany or Switzerland, UK, etc., where a South Africa Embassy is present must submit the application in person.

A travel to South Africa has to be planned well in advance and an application should be submitted at least 25 days before travelling and a maximum of not more than two months before travel to South Africa. Once the application has been finalised (a processing time of approximately 10-20 working days have to be taken into account) you will be informed via email to arrange for the collection of your passport. It is your responsibility to arrange for the collection of your passport either by courier service, personally, or by third party with a letter of consent (applicants do not need to collect in person).

Take note that you may collect your passport during the processing period but will have to return the passport on your cost for the necessary endorsement once the application is finalised.

For multiple entry visas a full motivation will be required, as only single-entry visas are issued.  For business purposes the South African company and the foreign company have to provide a motivation for a multiple entry visa. In addition, the invitation from South Africa will have to include a copy of the person’s identity document who signs the invitation or business letter from South Africa. 

Should children under 18 years of age accompany you kindly take particular note of the information needed as per information sheet. Proof of financial means in respect of children can be guaranteed by their parents and/or guardians with proof of bank statements from parents and letter of support and copies of passports of parents. The birth certificates of children which are not international birth certificates (issued in local language/English/French) must be translated in English. The original birth certificate together with a copy thereof has to be included in the application (the original will be returned to you).

Furthermore, take note that in terms of the Immigration Regulations you have to submit bank statements for the last three months certified by the bank. Online banking statements or screen shots of bank statements will not be accepted. 

Please note that visas are not issued in one day, as time is required for the necessary verification process.

Tourism Visa for South Africa