SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY BERN

Every country has the sovereign right to decide who may or may not enter its territory. Possession of a visa does not guarantee automatic admission to the Republic. It only authorizes the holder to proceed to the Republic to report to an immigration officer at a port of entry for the purpose of being examined as to his/her ability or otherwise, to comply with the (entry) requirements of the Act.

The purpose of a visa on the one hand is to ensure proper screening of applicants so that undesirable persons are not admitted to the Republic and on the other hand to facilitate the entry of approved applicants at South African ports of entry. Visas provide immigration officers with the necessary information to ensure that applicants are admitted for the correct purpose and period into the RSA. Please note that nationals who are exempt from the South African visa requirement are only exempt for the purposes of holiday, business and transit and still require visas for other purposes, e g for medical purposes.

Visas are considered by the South African missions abroad and must be affixed in the applicants' passports before departing to the RSA. Visas are not issued on arrival at South African ports of entry. Applicants arriving without visas will be refused entry into the RSA and placed on return flights in terms of legislation.

The exemptions pertain to ordinary, diplomatic and official passport holders. Official visits (on invitation of the South African Government) and accreditation for holders of diplomatic and official passport holders are not dealt with here (please refer to information under diplomatic permit, which are prescribed and regulated by the Department of Foreign Affairs).


Entry requirements

A valid acceptable passport / travel document good for a sufficient period to cover the intended stay.
A valid visa, if required.
Sufficient funds.
A return / onward ticket.
Yellow fever certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

Where to apply for a visa

At the South African diplomatic or consular representative in the applicant's country of normal residence, which includes permanent residence and long-term temporary residence.
At the South African diplomatic or consular representative in the country of which the applicant validly holds a valid passport.
At the nearest or most conveniently situated South African diplomatic or consular representative as designated by the Head of the Consular Office, when a mission is not present in the applicant's country of residence.
Visas CANNOT be applied for at South African ports of entry.


Duration and purpose of stay

The period of residence in South Africa is not determined by the visa but by the temporary residence permit which is issued on arrival at the port of entry. Applicants must ensure that they request the full duration of their intended visit as extensions are subject to additional fees. Applicants must ensure that they apply for the correct visa / permit as the purpose of stay may not be changed once in the RSA.


Visas are not required by citizens of the following countries

Countries exempt from South African visas


Nationals of the following countries are subject to the payment of South African visa fees

Countries subject to South African visa fees


For the correct application form, please contact the consular section This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the
Tel.Nr. 031 350 13 13

Consular hours

Monday to Thursday
09h00 to 12h00 and 14h00 to 16h00

Friday
09h00 to 12h00 and 13h00 to 14h00