Visa requirements

South Africa

General visa requirements for travelling to South Africa. These policies apply to all nationalities unless a country-specific policy exists.

Have a specific passport country? Check your specific route.

Work / Immigration visa (General Work Visa)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

Maximum stay
730 days
Processing time
8-12 weeks
Fee
ZAR 1,520 (approx. $86 USD) non-refundable application fee
Validity
Up to 2 years, renewable
Entry
Single entry

The General Work Visa is for applicants with a confirmed job offer in roles not on the Critical Skills List. Must score at least 100 points under a points-based system including educational qualifications, salary level, years of experience, language skills, and employer status. Processing typically takes 4-12 weeks.

Eligibility

  • Nationality

    Available to all nationalities

  • Employment

    Must have a confirmed job offer from a South African employer. Employer must demonstrate efforts to recruit locally

    Required status: Confirmed job offer

  • Financial

    Must score at least 100 points. Points awarded for salary (above ZAR 650,976/year), education, experience, language skills, and employer status

    Minimum funds: ZAR 650,976/year recommended

Documents you need

  • Passport

    Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 1

  • Photo

    Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size photographs

  • Employment letter

    Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.

    Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes

  • Visa fee payment

    Accepted methods: Payment at VFS Global or embassy; Amount: ZAR 1,520 non-refundable

  • Medical fitness

    Provide a medical fitness certificate if the destination requires one for this route.

How to apply

  1. Document gathering

    Obtain job offer letter. Gather passport, photos, educational certificates, employment contract, proof of salary, medical reports (under 6 months), police clearance (if 18+)

  2. Document submission

    Submit application to South African embassy/consulate with all documents

  3. Fee payment

    Pay non-refundable application fee of ZAR 1,520

  4. Processing wait

    Wait 8-12 weeks for processing

  5. Visa collection

    Collect General Work Visa valid up to 2 years

Sign in to apply

Work / Immigration visa (Critical Skills Work Visa)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

Maximum stay
1825 days
Processing time
8-12 weeks
Fee
ZAR 1,520 (approx. $86 USD) non-refundable application fee
Validity
Up to 5 years, renewable
Entry
Single entry

The Critical Skills Work Visa is for highly skilled foreign professionals in occupations where local expertise is in short supply (engineering, IT, healthcare, finance, education). Applicants can apply even without a job offer if qualifications match an occupation on the official Critical Skills List. Valid up to 5 years and allows working for any employer in the field. Applicants must score at least 100 points under a points-based system. Processing typically takes 4-12 weeks.

Eligibility

  • Nationality

    Available to all nationalities

  • Employment

    Occupation must be listed on South Africa's official Critical Skills List. Must score at least 100 points (occupation on list automatically grants 100 points)

    Required status: Occupation on Critical Skills List

  • Financial

    Points awarded for salaries above ZAR 650,976/year, with maximum points for salaries above ZAR 976,194

    Minimum funds: ZAR 650,976/year recommended

Documents you need

  • Passport

    Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 1

  • Photo

    Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size photographs

  • Employment letter

    Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.

    Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: No

  • Visa fee payment

    Accepted methods: Payment at VFS Global or embassy; Amount: ZAR 1,520 non-refundable

  • Medical fitness

    Provide a medical fitness certificate if the destination requires one for this route.

How to apply

  1. Document gathering

    Verify occupation is on Critical Skills List. Gather passport, photos, educational certificates, professional qualifications, medical reports (under 6 months), police clearance (if 18+)

  2. Document submission

    Submit application to South African embassy/consulate with all supporting documents

  3. Fee payment

    Pay non-refundable application fee of ZAR 1,520

  4. Processing wait

    Wait 8-12 weeks for processing

  5. Visa collection

    Collect Critical Skills Work Visa valid up to 5 years

Sign in to apply

Work / Immigration visa (Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa)

Applies to all nationalities · Last updated: 25 June 2026

Embassy required

Maximum stay
730 days
Processing time
8-12 weeks
Fee
ZAR 1,520 (approx. $86 USD) non-refundable application fee
Validity
Up to 2 years, renewable
Entry
Single entry

The Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa is for employees relocating to a South African office within the same company. Typically valid for up to 2 years. Processing takes 4-12 weeks.

Eligibility

  • Nationality

    Available to all nationalities

  • Employment

    Must be employed by a multinational company with offices in South Africa and be transferring to the South African branch

    Required status: Intra-company transfer

Documents you need

  • Passport

    Blank pages required: 2; Validity months: 1

  • Photo

    Count: 2; Specifications: Recent passport-size photographs

  • Employment letter

    Provide a signed employer letter confirming your role, leave dates, salary and return to work.

    Must include leave approval: No; Must include position: Yes; Must include salary: Yes

  • Visa fee payment

    Accepted methods: Payment at VFS Global or embassy; Amount: ZAR 1,520 non-refundable

  • Medical fitness

    Provide a medical fitness certificate if the destination requires one for this route.

How to apply

  1. Document gathering

    Obtain transfer letter from employer. Gather passport, photos, proof of current employment, transfer documentation, medical reports (under 6 months), police clearance (if 18+)

  2. Document submission

    Submit application to South African embassy/consulate

  3. Fee payment

    Pay non-refundable application fee of ZAR 1,520

  4. Processing wait

    Wait 8-12 weeks for processing

  5. Visa collection

    Collect Intra-Company Transfer Visa valid up to 2 years

Sign in to apply
This information is provided for general guidance only. Visa requirements can change frequently and may vary by nationality. Always verify with the official embassy or consulate before making travel plans. Contact [email protected] for assistance.