How to Apply for a South African Visa
To apply for a South African visa, patience and a sense of humour are needed. Without these two qualities, dealing with VFS and the Department of Home Affairs become a trying experience.
Not understanding the application process only adds extra stress. It is stress you can save yourself however if you know what to expect.
The groundwork
The first and most important step if you want to move to South African, is to see if you are eligible to do so. You can only make South Africa your home if you qualify for one of our country’s visas.
Luckily finding out is as easy as booking an assessment with us. Once you’ve submitted your details, one of our immigration consultants will be in touch to determine your eligibility.
You’ve qualified!
If you qualify for immigration to South Africa, the next step is compiling your visa application. This means gathering all required documentation and completing all necessary forms. Ensure that you know exactly what is required! Small mistakes could cost you the visa.
Done with all of that? Then you are ready to submit your application for your South African visa.
Submitting your application
With all paperwork in hand, it’s time to make an application. This could be in South Africa or at a consulate in your country of residence or origin. It is sometimes determined on a case-by-case basis, so don’t assume it is in South Africa or at home.
In South Africa, the application will be made at VFS. VFS is a facilitation service centre to the Department of Home Affairs. They do not issue visas and they do not offer assistance with applications. They are merely the middle man between yourself and Home Affairs. You get this service at an administration fee of R1350.
Once your application has been submitted, all you can do is wait. You should know that waiting times for visas can take up to 6 months, and in some cases even longer.
The outcome
You’ll be notified once your visa application has been processed. If the outcome is positive, and your application has been successful, triple check all information on the visa. Ensure that every little detail is correct! Incorrect information could spell a world of trouble.