Check your South Africa visitor visa application before you apply
South Africa's Immigration Act and its Regulations set out what a visitor visa application must show. This page shows that list, in the official words, and which parts usually decide a refusal.
Director-General of Home Affairs, through the officer at the South African mission Department of Home Affairs, through South African embassies, high commissions and consulates Visitor's visa (section 11(1) of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002)
a statement or documentation detailing the purpose and duration of the visit
What the officer assesses: Whether your letter says why you are going, where you will stay and for how long. Whether all your papers tell the same story.
Where this comes from 4 official sources
An application for a visitor's visa not exceeding a period of three months shall be accompanied by- (a) a statement or documentation detailing the purpose and duration of the visit;
Current version as from 9 August 2015 · dated 9 August 2015 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026
Evidence that addresses it
A signed cover letter giving the reason for the trip, the dates and where you will stay
An invitation letter from your host, with their address in South Africa and a copy of their ID or permit
For business: a letter from the South African company saying what the meetings are and who pays
Hotel bookings or your host's address for every night of the trip
02
Immigration Regulations, regulation 11(1)(c) and 11(3)
Money for the trip
proof of sufficient financial means
What the officer assesses: Whether you have enough money for the whole trip. The money can be yours, or a host can promise in writing to pay. The bank statements must show where the money came from.
Where this comes from 4 official sources
(c) proof of sufficient financial means contemplated in subregulation (3).
A return or onward flight reservation in your name
The same arrival and departure dates in your cover letter and on the form
04
Immigration Act, section 11(1)
Showing you will leave on time
who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.
What the officer assesses: Whether your job, school, family and home show the trip is short. Whether they show you will go back.
Where this comes from 2 official sources
A visitor's visa may be issued for any purpose other than those provided for in sections 13 to 24, and subject to subsection (2), by the Director-General in respect of a foreigner who complies with section 10A
Current version as from 9 August 2015 · dated 9 August 2015 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026
South African visitors’ visas are for international travellers (citizens of other countries) who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.
An employer letter on headed paper with your job, how long you have worked there, your leave dates and the date you return
For business owners: company registration papers and recent business bank statements
For students: a letter from your school or college
Old passports or visas showing past trips where you returned on time
05
Immigration Regulations, regulations 2 and 9
Passport and supporting documents
The period of validity of a passport contemplated in section 9(4)(a) of the Act shall not be less than 30 days after the foreigner's intended date of departure from the Republic.
What the officer assesses: Whether your passport, form, photos, yellow fever card and other papers are complete, valid for long enough, and originals or properly certified copies.
Where this comes from 7 official sources
The period of validity of a passport contemplated in section 9(4)(a) of the Act shall not be less than 30 days after the foreigner's intended date of departure from the Republic.
As amended by GN R1328, with effect from 1 December 2018 · dated 29 November 2018 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026
have at least two unused pages when presented for purposes of endorsing a port of entry visa, visa, permanent residence permit or entry or departure stamp.
As amended by GN R1328, with effect from 1 December 2018 · dated 29 November 2018 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026
(4) The documents contemplated in subregulation (1) shall be- (a) originals or copies authenticated by the issuing authority of the country of origin; and (b) translated into one of the official languages of the Republic, where applicable, and certified as a correct translation by a sworn translator at the expense of the applicant.
The attached Schedule outlines national passport holders from countries who are exempt from port of entry visa requirements, the category of passport holders who are exempt from port of entry visa requirements and the period for which such visa exemption applies.
A passport valid for at least 30 days after you leave, with two unused pages
The completed visa application form, signed
Two colour passport photos
A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you live in or travel through a yellow fever area
For children: the full (unabridged) birth certificate and consent from any parent who is not travelling
06
Immigration Act, sections 29 and 30; Immigration Regulations, regulation 6(17)
Past refusals, overstays, false papers and criminal records
The following foreigners are prohibited persons and do not qualify for a port of entry visa, admission into the Republic, a visa or a permanent residence permit:
What the officer assesses: Whether your past stops you getting a visa. This covers a past deportation, an overstay, a false paper or a crime. It also covers whether you might need money from the state. And it covers whether you told the truth about all of it.
Where this comes from 7 official sources
The following foreigners are prohibited persons and do not qualify for a port of entry visa, admission into the Republic, a visa or a permanent residence permit:
Current version as from 9 August 2015 · dated 9 August 2015 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026
(17) Any person who provides the immigration officer with incorrect or false information knowing it to be incorrect or false shall be refused entry by the immigration officer.
As amended by GN R1328, with effect from 1 December 2018 · dated 29 November 2018 · checked against the page on 4 November 2026
Evidence that addresses it
Honest answers to the form's questions about past refusals, deportations and convictions
Copies of any earlier South African visas and refusal letters
A police clearance certificate if you have one, or if you plan to stay longer than three months
Any letter from Home Affairs lifting an earlier ban
Nigerian and Indian ordinary passports need a visa for South Africa. Ghana's ordinary passport is on the Home Affairs list of passports that need no visa, so check that list before you apply. South Africa does not publish a list of reasons for refusing a visit visa. So these grounds come from the law. The Immigration Act and its rules say what a visa application must hold. They also list people who cannot get a visa. The refusal notice must give the reasons. Each reason usually points to one of these grounds. You apply in person at the South African office for the country where you live or hold a passport.
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Check your South Africa visitor visa application before you apply
South Africa's Immigration Act and its Regulations set out what a visitor visa application must show. This page shows that list, in the official words, and which parts usually decide a refusal.
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