South Africa Visa – How To Apply For A South African Visa
Updated As of

Is South Africa your next destination? If so, you will not need to obtain a South Africa visa for business or tourism purposes for up to 3 months. If you travel to South Africa work or study purposes and want to extend your stay, you will have to do so 2 months prior to your expected departure from South Africa. If issued a 30-day visa, you will have to apply for an extension of stay within 7 working days. Those who stay longer than they are permitted to stay in South Africa will be barred from entering South Africa for up to 1 year.
You will need to possess a passport that is up to date and in order before you take your trip to South Africa. Below are some guidelines that should be followed regarding your passport.
Passport Validity- It is important to have a minimum of 6 months validity left on your passport after you depart South Africa. Many times, travelers are denied entry into countries because the validity left on their passports is not sufficient under the guidelines of that specific country. 6 months validity will ensure you do not face any difficulties when traveling to South Africa.
Blank Visa Pages- You should have a minimum of (2) blank visa pages in your passport book before you travel to South Africa. This will prevent any issues from arising with South African immigration, as well as allowing for any visa stamps that will be necessary during your trip.
Transit Visa- A transit visa may be needed when connecting flight en route to South Africa. Some countries will require travelers to obtain a transit visa while they connect flights in the specific country. Ask about your flight details with your airline provider.
South Africa Embassy & Consulate Information
Embassy & Consulate | Address | Phone Number |
---|---|---|
Embassy of South Africa |
3400 International Dr, NW
Washington, DC 20008 United States |
Phone
1.202.232.4400 Fax
1.202.265.1607 |
Consulate General of South Africa |
6300 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 600
Los Angeles, CA 90048 United States |
Phone
1.323.651.0902 Fax
1.323.651.6969 |
Consulate General of South Africa |
200 S Michigan Ave,
Ste 600 Chicago, IL 60604 United States |
Phone
1.312.939.7929 Fax
1.312.939.2588 |
Consulate General of South Africa |
333 E 38th St, 9th Fl
New York, NY 10016 United States |
Phone
1.212.213.4880 Fax
1.212.213.0102 |
Additional South Africa Information
Capital | Pretoria(executive), Bloemfontein(judicial), Cape Town(legislative) |
Currency | South African Rand (ZAR) |
Language | Afrikaans, English |
Electricity | Voltage: 230 V Frequency: 50 Hz Power sockets: type C / D / M / N |
Country Code | +27 |
Time Zone | SAST (UTC+2) |