South Africa Visa : How To Apply

VisaHero can represent you and submit your visa request without you having to appear in person at any South African Mission.

We’ve compiled a helpful resource below on how to apply for your South African visa in person.

How to apply for South African visa?

First, you must find the South African Mission that processes applications for your jurisdiction and review their specific requirements. You can find the official information on the South African Immigration website, or simply read below. List of South African Missions in the United States are:

The South African Consulate General in Los Angeles, CA

6300 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 600, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Tel: (323) 651-0902
For residents of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming including the US Territory of Guam
Website: https://www.southafrica-usa.net/losangeles/

The South African Consulate General in New York City

845 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022
Tel: (212) 692-2401
For residents of Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont West Virginia, British Virgin Islands, St Martins, Bermuda and Cayman
Website: https://www.southafrica-usa.net/consulate/

The South African Embassy in Washington, DC

3051 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington DC 20008
Tel: (202) 232-4400
For residents of Alabama, Arkansas, District of Colombia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Wisconsin
Website: https://www.saembassy.org/

Washington DC Jurisdiction Applicants:

In Washington DC, you must submit your visa request for South Africa in-person, and by appointment only. The Consular office is open Monday-Thursday between 9:30am-12:30am and it’s closed every Friday. Please make sure that all of your supporting documents for visa application are ready before requesting an appointment. Your current passport must have (2) two unused visa pages for Immigration’s entry and departure stamp. The period of validity of passport cannot be less than 6 months after from your intended date of departure from the Republic of South Africa. You can find this information through its Embassy’s website.

Visa Types for South Africa:

• Tourist visa: going to South Africa for tourism, visit family, or attending a conference/event.
• Business visa: going to South Africa to conduct business meetings.
• Temporary work 11(2) visa: short term or urgent work in the Republic of South Africa, including, but not limited, to service technicians, trainers/instructors and film crews, for a period not exceeding three (3) months.

Visa Requirements to South Africa:

Here are the basic requirements for visiting to South Africa:

• Visa application form signed by applicant. Click here to download the South African visa application form DHA-84
• Valid passport with at least two (2) unused (blank) pages labeled “Visa”
• Certified/notarized copy of bio page of the applicant’s passport
• Two (2) passport photos with white or light background
• Proof of legal status for non-U.S. citizens (Certified/notarized copy)
• Proof of itinerary/reservation of round-trip air tickets. Please do not purchase air tickets until you obtain a South African visa
• Three (3) months recent bank statements stamped by bank (not notarized)
• Proof of hotel accommodation (confirmed hotel reservation) or a letter of invitation from the host (relative or friend) in South Africa
• Proof of host’s legal status in South Africa (copy of I.D. Book/ passport if South African citizen) or copy of passport and a copy of visa or residence status in South Africa, certified by the South African Police Service
• Yellow fever certificate is required if applicant is passing through yellow fever belt area before entering South Africa
• Non-refundable fee of $36.00 money order
• Children below 18 years:
  – Certified/notarized copy of birth certificate
  – Consent letter from parent(s) in case of child/children traveling alone or with other parent
  – Statement or documentation detailing the purpose and duration of the visit
• Attention New York Applicants: The South African Consulate General in New York will no longer accept prepaid envelope/labels from FedEx and UPS with immediate effect. Applicants are welcome to enclose only US Postal Service self-addressed, pre-paid courier envelope for this office to facilitate return services.
• Attention Washington, DC Applicants: With immediate effect, the South African Embassy in Washington, DC will no longer accept a $16.00 fee to facilitate return services, but will accept a prepaid envelope with a tracking number from either FedEx or US Postal Service
• Processing time is 5 business days and may take up to 10 days during peak season

How Much Bank Balance is Required for South Africa Visa?

What we recommend is to show that you have about $100 a day to spend for the duration of your stay in South Africa. For instance, if your trip to South Africa is planned for 20 days, your checking or savings account should show a balance of at least $2,000.

What are the Visa Fees for South African Visa?

As of January 2024, here are the current South African visa options available through the Embassy: