South Africa is a country located at the southern tip of Africa, famous for its diverse natural landscape, from deserts to beaches. This country is famous for its multi-ethnic culture, rich ecosystem and history of fighting for freedom and democracy. So is it easy to apply for a South African tourist visa? Let's find out with ABA VISA the process of applying for a South African visa through the article below.
About South African Visa
Why do you need a South African visa?
You will need to apply for a visa when entering South Africa as the country requires a visa for most international visitors. Applying for a visa ensures that you have the legal right to travel, work or visit family in the country.
Who is the South African Visa applicable to and what types are there?
South African visas are available to all nationals who are not on the list of visa-exempt countries when entering South Africa. Common South African visa types include:
Tourist visa: For tourism, visiting relatives or short-term business purposes, with a maximum stay of 90 days.
Business visa: For people coming to South Africa to work, study or undertake training courses.
Transit visa: Allows a stopover in South Africa while waiting for the next flight, usually no longer than 24 hours.
Student visa: For international students wishing to study at educational institutions in South Africa.
Work visa: For those employed to work in South Africa for a long period of time.
Note: Each type of visa has different requirements and duration, depending on the purpose and expected length of stay.
Is Vietnam visa exempt to South Africa?
Holders of ordinary Vietnamese passports are not exempted from visa requirements when travelling to South Africa. This means that you must complete the visa application process before your trip, regardless of whether your purpose is tourism, business or visiting relatives.
Only Vietnamese citizens holding diplomatic or official passports are exempt from visa requirements when entering South Africa, with a maximum stay of 90 days from the date of entry.
Does South Africa have online visa (evisa) approval?
South Africa has implemented an electronic visa (e-visa) system since February 2022, applicable to citizens of 14 countries, including: Cameroon, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, India, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Uganda. Currently, Vietnam is not yet on the list of countries eligible for South African e-visa.
Other Countries are exempt from South African visa (no need to apply for South African visa)
South Africa offers visa-free entry to many countries, allowing citizens of many countries to enter and stay for a certain period of time without having to apply for a visa in advance. Here are some of the countries that are visa-free to enter South Africa:
USA: Visa exemption for citizens USA with a maximum stay of 90 days.
Canada: Citizen Canada Visa-free and can stay up to 90 days.
European Union (EU): Citizens from most EU countries, including Virtue, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, are visa-free for stays of up to 90 days.
Australia: Citizen Australia Visa-free and can stay up to 90 days.
New Zealand: New Zealand citizens are visa exempt for stays of up to 90 days.
Japan: Japanese citizens are exempt from visas and can stay for up to 30 days.
Korea: Korean citizens are exempt from visa for a maximum stay of 30 days.
Singapore: Singapore citizens are visa-free and can stay for up to 30 days.
Brazil: Brazilian citizens are exempt from visa for stays of up to 90 days.
Argentina: Argentine citizens are visa-free and can stay for up to 90 days.
Please note that visa-free stays may vary depending on the country and purpose of travel. Therefore, before planning your travel, you should check with the South African diplomatic or consular office in your country for updates to ensure compliance with current regulations.
Ask: Are Vietnamese citizens exempt from South African visa if they have a visa or permanent residence permit valid for 6 months or more from the US, Canada, Schengen, UK or Australia?
Answer: Currently, South Africa does not have a visa exemption policy for Vietnamese citizens, even if you hold a visa or permanent residence permit valid for 6 months or more from the US, Canada, Schengen, UK or Australia. Therefore, even if you have these types of visas, you still need to apply for a South African visa before entering the country.
Visa application procedures and documents tourism South Africa
To apply for a South African tourist visa, you need to prepare complete documents and follow the following process:
Documents required:
- Visa application: Fill out the South African visa application form in English. (ABA VISA will assist you).
- Passport: The original must be valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure from South Africa and must have at least 2 blank pages.
- Card photo: 01 photo 35x45mm in size, taken no more than 3 months before submitting the application.
- Citizen identification: Notarized copy of ID card/Citizen identification card.
- Notarized copy of household registration book.
Proof of work:
If you are an employee: Labor contract, appointment decision (if any), leave application with company confirmation.
If you are a business owner: Business registration certificate, tax receipts for the last 3 months.
If you are a student: Student card, school certificate.
Demonstrate financial:
- Bank account statement for the last 3 months.
- Savings book with minimum balance of 5,000 USD.
- Bank account balance confirmation.
Trip schedule:
Confirm return flight booking.
Confirmation of hotel reservation or accommodation information in South Africa.
Detailed travel itinerary.
Travel Insurance: Copy of international travel insurance policy.
Vaccination certificate: If you are coming from or traveling through an area where yellow fever is endemic, a vaccination certificate is required.
South African visa application process
To apply for a South African visa, you need to follow these steps:
- Prepare documents: Include valid passport, photo, identification documents, financial documents, work documents, travel itinerary and travel insurance.
- Translation and notarization: Translate all documents into English and notarize.
- Submit application: Go to the South African Embassy in Hanoi to submit your application and pay the fee.
- Pending approval: Minimum processing time is 5 working days.
- Get results: Go to the Embassy to receive visa results according to appointment schedule.
South Africa tourist visa processing time:
South African tourist visa processing times typically range from 7 to 14 working days, depending on where you submit your application. If you submit your application at the South African Embassy in Hanoi, processing times are typically around 7 working days.
Meanwhile, if you submit at the South African Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, it may take up to 14 working days.
Processing times may vary depending on the status of your application or additional requests from the consular office, so it is important to apply early to ensure your plans are not affected.
South Africa tourist visa application fee:
Please contact Hotline (093816817) or via Zalo/WhatsApp for fee quote.
South African tourist visa duration of stay:
A South African tourist visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days from the date of entry. The visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, requiring you to enter within this period and stay for no more than 90 days from the date of arrival in South Africa.
Visa application procedures and documents collaborate South Africa
To apply for a South African work visa, you need to prepare documents and follow the following process:
Documents required:
- Visa application: Complete form BI-84 in English.
- Passport: The original must be valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure from South Africa and must have at least 2 blank pages.
- Card photo: 01 photo 3.5×4.5cm in size, taken no more than 3 months before submitting the application.
- Citizen identification: Notarized copy of ID card/Citizen identification card.
- Notarized copy of household registration book.
Proof of work:
- Labor contract or appointment decision.
- Decision to send on a business trip, stating clearly the purpose of the trip and financial responsibility.
Demonstrate financial:
- Bank account statement for the last 3 months.
- Savings book with minimum balance of 5,000 USD.
- Bank account balance confirmation.
Invitation letter from South African partner:
The invitation letter clearly states company information, purpose of business trip and length of stay.
Copy of business registration certificate of the inviting company.
Trip schedule:
Confirm return flight booking.
Confirmation of hotel reservation or accommodation information in South Africa.
Detailed work schedule.
Travel Insurance: Copy of international travel insurance policy.
Vaccination certificate: If you are coming from or traveling through an area where yellow fever is endemic, a vaccination certificate is required.
South Africa business visa processing time:
The normal processing time for a South African business visa is 5 to 7 working days. In some cases, if additional documents or special requirements are required, the processing time may be longer.
To ensure that your work schedule is not affected, you should prepare and submit your application early.
South African business visa application fee:
Please contact Hotline (093816817) or via Zalo/WhatsApp for fee quote.
South African work visa duration of stay:
South African business visas generally allow a maximum stay of 90 days. Depending on the specific requirements and duration of the work, the length of stay may be adjusted according to the regulations of the South African visa authority. If you need to stay longer, you may need to extend your visa according to current regulations.
Where to apply for South African Visa?
You can apply for a South African visa at the South African Embassy in Hanoi. Currently, The South African Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City does not accept visa applications.
Contact information of the South African Embassy in Hanoi:
Address: 3rd Floor, Central Building, 31 Hai Ba Trung, Hanoi.
Phone: (+84 24) 3936 2000.
Email: [email protected].
Business hours:
Receiving documents: From 9:00 to 12:00, Monday to Friday.
Return results: According to the appointment schedule announced when submitting the application.
Note: You should contact the Embassy in advance to confirm information and make an appointment, ensuring the application process goes smoothly. Or call the Hotline: +849 38165 817 for support and appointment scheduling instructions.
How can ABA VISA help you when applying for a South African visa?
ABA VISA provides comprehensive support during the South African visa application process, including:
Detailed advice: ABA VISA will answer your questions and advise you on the type of visa that suits your travel purpose.
Preparation profile: Guide you to prepare all necessary documents, ensure accurate records and comply with the requirements of the South African consular authorities.
Translation and notarization: Support translation and notarization of documents from Vietnamese to English according to regulations.
Submit application: Submit your application to the Embassy or Consulate on your behalf, track and update the application status.
Handling of arising situations: In case of need to supplement or adjust documents, ABA VISA will quickly support and help you solve problems.
Save time: Optimize your visa application process so you don't waste time and effort.
ABA VISA Professional customer support, helping you increase your chances of getting a South African visa smoothly.
Things to note when traveling in South Africa
When traveling to South Africa, you should keep in mind some experiences to have a safe and complete trip:
Personal Security: Avoid walking at night, especially in deserted or low-traffic areas. Keep your belongings safe and do not display valuables to reduce the risk of theft.
Traffic Note: South Africa drives on the left, so if you are renting a car, get used to this rule. Pay attention to road conditions and obey traffic laws, as some rural areas can have poor road conditions.
Health and medical: Bring personal medications, mosquito repellent and check vaccination requirements (such as yellow fever) before entering the country. Drink bottled water to ensure hygiene.
Choose a safe place to stay: Prioritize hotels or motels that have 24/7 security and are located in safe areas. If renting a motel, choose places with positive and reliable reviews from previous travelers.
Respect local culture: South Africa is a culturally diverse country with many different communities and customs. Respect cultural norms, customs and practices and engage in activities with courtesy and openness.
Safari and nature: When participating in wildlife tours, strictly follow the instructions from the tour guide to avoid danger. Do not leave the vehicle or touch wild animals.
Prepare cash and payment: Credit cards are widely accepted, but you should also bring some cash (Rand) for small transactions. Avoid exchanging money at unknown places.
Weather: The climate in South Africa varies from region to region. Check the weather before you go and pack appropriately, especially if you are going into the mountains or on safari.
Cuisine: Enjoying local cuisine is an experience not to be missed, but be careful to choose clean and reputable places to eat to avoid health problems.
Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies or mishaps during your trip for the best protection.
