South African Visa Requirements

The following is a list of information that you need to know as you prepare for your trip to South Africa. However, please note that this information is not exhaustive, and is subject to change without notice. For complete and current information, please contact the South African Embassy at the addresses provided at the end of this page (if you are in the United States of America), or contact the Embassy in your country.

Vaccinations

Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas.
Malaria: Exists in northern Mpumalanga (including the KrugerNational Park), Northern Province and north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal as far south as the Tugela river.

Recommended prophylaxis: Mefloquine or Malarone

Note - Please note that this information is not intended to replace an individual consultation with a medical professional.Take the usual precautions and ask your doctor before or during travel

Visas

Visas: Required by all except the following : British, Other EU, Australian, Canadian, USA and Japanese for visits of up to 90 days; nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland for visits of up to 90 days; nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Malta, Paraguay, St Helena, Swaziland, Uruguay and Venezuela for visits of up to 90 days; nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Jordan, Korea (Rep. of), Lesotho, Macau (SAR), Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Thailand, Turkey, Zambia and Zimbabwe for visits of up to 30 days; transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.

Diplomatic passport holders

Staff members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who travel on SADC laissez passer are exempt from visa requirements for bona fide official business visits of up to 90 days and transit.

Holders of United Nations' laissez passer are exempt from visa requirements when visiting the Republic for period not exceeding 90 days for purposes for which a visitor's permit may be issued, and for official business purposes and transits when accredited for placement at a UN mission in the Republic for the duration of their accreditation. Volunteers attached to the UN agencies and traveling on ordinary passports are exempt from visa requirements, provided that they are in possession of the relevant letters or identification documents to identify themselves at ports of entry as personnel of a UN agency.

Visa application information

The following information is required to apply for a South African visa:

·         Passport valid for 60 more days after the intended return date from South Africa with at least one unused visa page for endorsement. The unused page needed for endorsement purposes is separate from pages in a passport reserved for observations and amendments. 

• Visa application form.
• Flight Itinerary
• Two (2) passport photos.
• A statement or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of the visit.

·         Prescribed fee of US$72.00 in cash or money order. No personal checks will be accepted.

• Proof of sufficient funds (recent bank statement)

·         Yellow fever certificate if the applicant will be traveling or intends traveling or traveled from or through the yellow fever endemic area.

• Processing Time: 10 days

 Contact Information

South African Embassy

Washington DC

3051 Massachusetts Ave NW

Washington, DC, 20008

Tel: 202-232-4400

Fax: 202-265-1607

safrica@saembassy.org

www.saembassy.org

South African Consulate General

New York

333 East 38^th Street, 9^th Floor

New York, NY, 10016

Tel: 212-213-4880

Fax: 212-213-0102

sacg@southafrica-newyork.net

South African Consulate General

Los Angeles

6300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600

Los Angeles, CA, 90048

Tel: 323-651-0902

Fax: 323-651-5969

sacgla@link2sa.com

South African Consulate General

Chicago

200 South Michigan Ave, 6^th Floor

Chicago, IL, 60604

Tel: 312-939-7929

Fax: 312-939-2588

sacongenchicago@sacg.xohost.com