The South African Business Visa for your Business Trip
If you are considering of travelling to South Africa for business purposes, then applying for a South African business visa can become a necessary task.
Generally, you can apply for the required South African business visa online/ at the nearest South African consulate in the country of your residence for a stay in South Africa of up to 3 months.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of South African Business Visa
It is advisable to check the South African business visa requirements, before applying for your business visa to South Africa.
A brief list of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the business visa for South Africa:
- You do not plan to conduct unpaid work that can otherwise be undertaken by a paid staff in South Africa.
- You do not intend to enter into an employment relationship in South Africa.
- You do not mean to give services to South African organisations (this is permitted with a South African work visa or business visa).
- You do not plan to give or sell product or services to consumers in South Africa.
- You and your family members are not in debt to the South Africa Government.
- You do not pose a threat to the health or safety and security of residents of South Africa.
- You are able to show that you have enough funds to finance your visit and return from South Africa.
Do I require a South African business visa?
It depends upon your nationality and also the type of travel document you are using to travel to South Africa.Please go here to check if you require a South African visa.
Exactly who can request a South African business visa?
Any individual choosing to go on holiday to South Africa can make an application for a South African business visa.
There are many types of visa for South Africa which you can use as a visitor to South Africa. If you are not sure which type of South African business visa you require to apply, please speak to the nearby South African visa office to get more information as goal of this web page is to offer you general overview when requesting South African business visa.
What kind of South African visa do I need?
This relies on three things:
- The citizenship according to your passport – If the nationality according to the passport is from a country that is on visa free travel to South Africa or eligible to secure a visa on arrival in South Africa, then you may not require to apply for a South African business visa prior to departure from your home country. Please click here to confirm if you need a South African visa.
- The duration of your trip in South Africa – If you want to stay in South Africa for a much shorter period no more than ninety days, then you can obtain the South African business visa. If you wish to remain much longer, then speak to the local South African visa office to find the appropriate visa for your trip.
- The activities you want to accomplish in South Africa – If your main purpose of taking a trip is for vacation, then you can apply for all types of South African business visas talked about on this web page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Obtain South African Business Visa
- Business visa Form for South Africa – Completed South African visa application form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months prior to going into South Africa and three months after departing South Africa. It should have a minimum of two spare visa pages and can not be older than ten years.
- Passport type photo – Photo needs to be no older than six months and should be 35 x 40mm in width.
- Previous passport – Provide a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous South African visas information if you had any.
- Flight tickets to South Africa – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some situations the South African visa office may request for pre paid flight tickets to South Africa.
- Travel insurance – Proof of travel insurance with a minimum cover set by the South African consular office provided with the Certificate of Insurance coverage and the table of benefits. The travel insurance coverage must cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency must be issued by an insurance provider. If you are thinking of utilizing your credit card travel insurance for your travel to South Africa, please get in touch with South African embassy to learn more and travel insurance requirements for the South African visa.
- Original bank statements – Original bank statements for the last 3 months showing adequate funds to cover your visit in South Africa. If statements are printed online then it has to be Authenticated (stamped) by the financial institution representatives.
- Hotel Reservations in South Africa – Copy of confirmed hotel reservations including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, length of stay. In most circumstances, only bookings which are partly or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Employment letter – This letter needs to be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, verifying your ongoing employment, the status of employment, monthly income and yearly leave. Likewise, please supply your three newest pay slips. If you are self-employed: give certified copies of company registration, tax return.
- For students. Please supply the following:
- Proof of present student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, affirming ongoing enrolment, verifying the payment of tuition fees or any scholarships, and confirming semester break.
- Insurance from Organisation/University – Supply a letter from the University specifying the purpose, duration of travel and confirmation that you will be covered by the insurance for the entire trip in addition to the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
Generally, visa applications for South African visa should be submitted for an optimum of 6 months, and no later than 15 days, before the journey.