South Africa visas
15 routes, checked against official sources
Study
- Exchange VisaFor young people on cultural, educational or work exchange programmes. Applicants must be under 25 (or 25+ for teachers and academics).ZAR 425 (Immigration Act §22) · Up to 12 weeks
- Study VisaFor full-time study at a recognised South African educational institution, university, university of technology, FET college or accredited school.ZAR 425 (Immigration Act §13(1)) · Up to 12 weeks
Work
- Corporate VisaA visa issued to a corporate entity (company) in South Africa to employ a specified number of foreign nationals, rather than requiring each worker to apply i...ZAR 1,520 (Immigration Act §21)
- Critical Skills Work VisaA temporary residence visa for foreign nationals who possess skills listed on the South African Critical Skills List, allowing them to work in South Africa w...ZAR 1,520 (Immigration Act §19) · Up to 4 weeks
- General Work VisaA temporary residence visa allowing a foreign national to work for a specific employer in South Africa in a general (non-critical skills) occupation.ZAR 1,520 (Immigration Act §19) · Up to 4 weeks
- Intra-company Transfer Work VisaA temporary residence visa for employees of a multi-national company being transferred to a South African branch, subsidiary or affiliate of the same company.ZAR 1,520 (Immigration Act §19)
Family
- Relative's VisaFor immediate family members (parents, siblings, children) of South African citizens or permanent residents who provide financial support.ZAR 425 (Immigration Act §18) · Up to 24 weeks
- Spousal / Life Partner VisaFor the spouse, civil partner or proven life partner of a South African citizen or permanent resident. Work and study endorsements can be added.Fee not prescribed by name in the DHA tariff for this route. · Up to 24 weeks
Business and investment
Tourism and short stays
- Medical Treatment VisaA visitor's visa for foreign nationals travelling to South Africa for medical treatment. Issued for a maximum of six months at a time; treatment longer than...ZAR 425 (Immigration Act §7(1)(i)) · Up to 12 weeks
- Transit VisaA visa for travellers passing through South Africa en route to another destination. Required for visa-required nationalities transiting a South African port...ZAR 425 (Immigration Act §7(1)(i))
- Visitor's Visa (Section 11)Standard tourist visa for short stays. Many nationalities (UK, EU, US, Canada, Australia) are visa-exempt for 90 days.ZAR 425 (Immigration Act §10A(3)) · Up to 12 weeks
Retirement
- Financially Independent Permit (PR)Direct route to Permanent Residence for high-net-worth individuals based purely on net worth, no business or family requirement.ZAR 1,520 (Immigration Act §25) · Up to 48 weeks
- Retired Person's VisaFor financially independent retirees wishing to live in South Africa. No age minimum, but applicants must prove sustainable retirement income.ZAR 425 (Immigration Act §20) · Up to 24 weeks