To process an eVisa application with the South African Department of Home Affairs, you can use the eVisa South African application service, which is both convenient and secure. Using the website, you will be able to communicate directly with the department that is responsible for lawfully processing and granting eVisas to travellers entering South Africa.
An eVisa is an official electronic document that allows you to enter and travel inside South Africa. It is valid for one year. It is an alternative to visas given at ports of entry as well as visiting an embassy or consulate to receive regular paper visas, all of which are available.
eVisas are linked to the traveller’s passport. All foreign citizens seeking to travel to South Africa will require a visa, with the exception of citizens of nations that are exempt from this requirement.
This blog will explain everything about South Africa eVisa application you need to know. You will learn what you need to get a South African eVisa. Also, you will learn how to obtain it. Without further ado, let’s get started.
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List of Countries Requiring eVisa South Africa
As previously stated, all foreign people seeking to come to South Africa will require a visa, with the exception of citizens from countries that are exempt from this requirement. You can find a list of the nations that are barred from applying for an eVisa in South Africa here.
Please keep in mind that the list is subject to change at any time without notice. As a result, we recommend that you review this web page on a frequent basis before making travel arrangements to South Africa.
Furthermore, you will be exempted from visas for South Africa if you are a passport holder and:
- The holder of a national South African passport, travel document or document for travel purposes
- A staff member of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) who travel on a SADC laissez-passer
- A holder of United Nations Laissez-passer, a volunteer attached to the United Nations, a person involved in any United Nations agency or a person performing services on behalf of the United Nations
- Member of foreign military forces attending any military related matters with the South African National Defence Force
- Foreign commercial heavy-duty vehicle driver from Lesotho, Botswana, Kingdom of Eswatini, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi
However, say you are the holder of a national passport from a country whose passport holders are exempt from the eVisa South Africa application, but your particular visa exemption has been formally cancelled by the South African authorities. This means that you must submit a port of entry visa application through the South African Embassy, High Commission or Consulate General in your place of origin or long-term residency in order to enter South Africa.
Most importantly, please keep in mind that the South African eVisa system is currently only available to citizens of the countries listed below:
- Cameroon
- China
- Congo
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- India
- Iran, Islamic Republic of
- Kenya
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Saudi Arabia
- Uganda
Types of Visas Required to Visit South Africa
To travel to South Africa, you will need to obtain one of several types of visas. What you’ll require will be determined on the reason for your visit.
Before submitting your eVisa South Africa application, it’s a good idea to figure out what type of visa you’ll need ahead of time. The following are the sorts of visas that are typically issued by the South African Department of Foreign Affairs, depending on your purpose of travel:
- Visas for medical treatment
- Visas for working in the entertainment industry
- Visas for attending a conference
- Visas for a compliance of treaty conditions
- Visas for crew (maritime)
- Visas for cultural, economic or social exchange programmes
- Transit visas for foreigners en-route to the neighbouring countries
Please refer to this page to find out what specific documents you must prepare in advance for your eVisa South Africa application. You can also check the application fees for each type there.
eVisa South Africa Application Required Documents
In general, you will need the following documents if you hope to visit South Africa:
- A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay
- At least one blank page in your passport for endorsements
- A valid visa, if required
- Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay
- A return or onward ticket
- Yellow fever certificates if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America
eVisa South Africa Application Procedures
Get your South African eVisa in four easy steps:
- Create your profile: The creation of a unique profile associated with your passport details, which is available for 14 days, will allow for the processing of your application for a South African eVisa to be completed successfully. Simply click on the link provided at the end of this page to be taken to the official eVisa South Africa application website where you can begin your application.
- Submit your online form: You can streamline the processing of your application by completing and submitting the eVisa application form with all of the essential information.
- Upload documentation: Uploading all of the necessary supporting papers for your eVisa application is required in order to complete your application submission.
- Confirm secure payment: Lastly, the final step in completing your eVisa South Africa application is uploading the evidence of payment you received from the bank, which will be done once you have performed an Electronic Funds Transfer to the allocated account.
Once the application has been filed and is in the processing stage, the eVisa application fees are non-refundable. This policy applies to eVisa applications that are denied or rejected by the South African government as well as those that are approved.
Following that, once your eVisa approval is granted, a notification will be made available to you through your eVisa online portal. To travel to South Africa, you must print a copy to keep with your passport and bring it with you on your trip. Next, when you arrive in South Africa, you must keep a printout of your eVisa notice with you at all times, together with your passport.
Take your time when filling out the eVisa South Africa application form to avoid making any mistakes. If you make a mistake in your application, you will not be able to change your eVisa once it has been issued. To put it another way, you can only make changes to your form before submitting it.
South African Department of Foreign Affairs Contact Details
Should you have further questions regarding how to apply for a South African eVisa, please call the South African Department of Foreign Affairs on +27 12 406 2500 or +27 800 601 190. Alternatively, you can email info@dha.gov.za or csc@dha.gov.za.
eVisa South Africa Application Official Website
Lastly, to apply for your South African eVisa, visit the official website here. Feel free to leave your comments below about anything you would like to know about this initiative.