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South Africa
Home/Visas/South Africa
South Africa flag

South Africa

Africa
·23 visa pathways

Visa Pathways to South Africa

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All Visa Pathways(23 visas)

11(1)(a) — Visitor's Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

11(1)(a) — Visitor's Visa

Temporary visa for tourism, business, or short-term visits to South Africa, valid for up to 90 days

Validity3 months
Processing10 days
Cost425 USD
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11(1)(b) — Visitor's Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

11(1)(b) — Visitor's Visa

Temporary residence permit for tourism, voluntary work, research, and prescribed activities with flexible duration options

Validity90 to 1095 days
Processing15 days
Cost500 USD
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11(2) — Visitor's Visa with Short-Term Work Endorsement (up to 180 days/year)
South Africa flagSouth Africa

11(2) — Visitor's Visa with Short-Term Work Endorsement (up to 180 days/year)

Temporary work authorization for short-term and urgent work assignments in South Africa (technicians, trainers, film crews) not exceeding 90 days per grant with one possible extension

Validity3 months
Processing10-56 days
CostFree
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Business Visa (establish or invest in a business, valid up to 3 years)
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Business Visa (establish or invest in a business, valid up to 3 years)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residence visa for foreign investors establishing or purchasing a business in South Africa with a minimum investment of ZAR 5 million and full work rights.

Validity3 years
Processing2-3 months
Cost120000 USD
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Corporate Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Corporate Visa

Work visa issued to corporations (not individuals) established under South African or foreign law to employ foreign workers in South Africa. Corporate entity must be registered and in good standing with relevant authorities.

ValidityVaries (Tied to corporate operations and employment needs)
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
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Critical Skills Work Visa (Section 19(4))
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Critical Skills Work Visa (Section 19(4))

ValidityUp to 5 years
Processing4-8 weeks
CostFree
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Diplomatic Visitor's Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Diplomatic Visitor's Visa

Temporary visitor visa for diplomatic personnel and officials on official business to South Africa.

ValidityUp to 90 days or duration of diplomatic assignment
Processing6-10 working days
CostFree
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ETA — Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)
South Africa flagSouth Africa

ETA — Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)

New electronic travel authorization for citizens of Mainland China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico for tourism and business visits. Available from November 2025.

Validity3 to 6 months
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
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Exchange Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Exchange Visa

Visa for young people under 25 years old participating in cultural, economic, or social exchange programs. Allows work and study during exchange period.

ValidityVaries (Limited to single exchange program duration)
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
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General Work Visa (Section 19(2))
South Africa flagSouth Africa

General Work Visa (Section 19(2))

Validity5 years
Processing8-12 weeks
CostFree
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Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa (Section 19(5))
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa (Section 19(5))

Validity4 years
Processing4-8 weeks
CostFree
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Permanently Residence Permit - Financially Independent
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Permanently Residence Permit - Financially Independent

Permanent residency for individuals with minimum net worth of R12 million. No requirement to invest funds in South Africa. Grants immediate permanent residency without expiry.

ValidityVaries (Indefinite validity, no renewal required after issuance)
ProcessingVaries
Cost120000 ZAR
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Remote Work / Digital Nomad Visa (up to 3 years)
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Remote Work / Digital Nomad Visa (up to 3 years)

Visitor's visa under section 11(1)(b)(iv) for foreign remote workers earning at least ZAR 650,796/yr from a foreign-based employer; up to 3 years.

Validity3 years
Processing1-2 months
Cost425 ZAR
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Research Visa (Section 11(1)(b)(iii))
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Research Visa (Section 11(1)(b)(iii))

ValidityUp to 3 years
Processing60 days
CostFree
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Section 14 — Treaty Visa (activities under international agreements)
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Section 14 — Treaty Visa (activities under international agreements)

Visa for foreigners conducting non-commercial activities in South Africa under bilateral or multilateral government-to-government treaties or international agreements

ValidityDuration determined by the specific international treaty or agreement
Processing21-28 days
CostFree
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Section 17 — Medical Treatment Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Section 17 — Medical Treatment Visa

This visa is for foreign nationals intending to receive medical treatment in South Africa for a period exceeding three months.

Validity6 months
Processing5-10 days
Cost36 USD
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Section 18 — Relative's Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Section 18 — Relative's Visa

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Visa for family members of South African citizens or permanent residents. Includes spouses, children, parents, and siblings within 1st or 2nd line of kinship. Financial sponsor requirement applies (except for spouses/minor children).

Validity5 years
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
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Section 20 — Retired Person Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Section 20 — Retired Person Visa

Visa for retirees with stable pension or investment income. Requires monthly income of at least R37,000 from pensions, annuities, investments, or equivalent lump sum. Valid for up to 4 years with pathway to permanent residency.

Validity5 years
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
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Section 21 — Corporate Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Section 21 — Corporate Visa

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

This visa is issued to a corporate applicant (juristic person) to employ a predetermined number of foreign nationals for a specific period.

Validity3 years
Processing28-60 days
Cost36 USD
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Spousal Visitor's Visa (spouse of SA citizen or permanent resident)
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Spousal Visitor's Visa (spouse of SA citizen or permanent resident)

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Temporary residence visa for foreign nationals married to or in a permanent relationship (2+ years cohabitation) with a South African citizen or permanent resident.

ValidityUp to three years, renewable as long as relationship exists
Processing1-3 months
Cost1800 USD
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Study Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Study Visa

PR Pathway Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.

Visa for foreign nationals to study at accredited South African educational institutions, valid for the duration of their enrolled course.

ValidityUp to 8 years
Processing28-56 days
Cost1520 USD
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Transit Visa (transit through a South African port of entry)
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Transit Visa (transit through a South African port of entry)

Short-term visa for foreign nationals transiting through South Africa to neighboring countries or onward international destinations

ValidityUp to 24 hours for air transit, up to 48 hours for land transit
ProcessingVaries
Cost36 USD
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Volunteer Visa
South Africa flagSouth Africa

Volunteer Visa

Visa for foreign nationals performing unpaid volunteer or charity work with registered organizations in South Africa. Valid for up to 3 years for extended volunteer assignments.

ValidityVaries (Duration depends on volunteer assignment length)
ProcessingVaries
CostFree
View Visa Details

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