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South Africa visa

Africa · Southern Africa

In South Africa, visas fall to the Department of Home Affairs. The pages consulted on 17 September 2026 list ten visa categories, state that applications are filed at a regional office of the department or with the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate, and that all immigration applications go through the service provider VFS Global. The department publishes processing times by category.

Updated on 7 October 2026 · Official sources consulted on 17 September 2026

At a glance

Authority
Department of Home Affairs — home affairs department of the Republic of South Africa
Submission channel
Regional office of the department or nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate; the department states that immigration applications are handled by the service provider VFS Global
Electronic visa
Yes: the department refers to an online electronic visa application service and publishes a processing time specific to that channel
Portal language
English

Do you need a visa?

Costa Rica passport: no visa needed for up to 30 days for a short tourist stay.

For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.

Good to know

Visa exemption (ordinary passport): 30 days, according to the DHA list published on 9 December 2025.

Official source: Department of Home Affairs (DHA) — Countries exempt from South African Visas (list “Issued on 09 December 2025”)Department of Home Affairs (DHA) — Countries exempt from South African Visas (liste « Issued on 09 December 2025 ») (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026

All destinations for this nationality

VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.

South Africa visa: who needs one?

Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.

Visa exemption 93

List of nationalities

A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.

Documented visa types

"Business Visa" — business visa
For foreign nationals who invest in a South African business; the page states a prescribed financial capital contribution. Official page (new tab)
"General Work Visa" — general work visa
Valid for the duration of the employment contract or up to five years. The page states documents provided by the employer and proof of qualifications. Official page (new tab)
"Critical Skills Work Visa" — critical skills work visa
Issued for up to five years for the occupations appearing on the critical skills list. The page states a job offer and qualifications evaluated by SAQA. Official page (new tab)
"Study Visa" — study visa
For students enrolled at an educational institution. The page states that the holder may work part time, within a limit of twenty hours per week. Official page (new tab)
"Relative's Visa" — relative's visa
For the immediate family of a citizen or a permanent resident. The page states a maximum duration of two years and a financial guarantee. Official page (new tab)
"Medical Treatment Visa" — medical treatment visa
For medical care. The page states a maximum duration of six months and states that the holder may not work. Official page (new tab)

Where and how to apply

The page devoted to visa types states that applications must be filed at a regional office of the Department of Home Affairs or with the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate abroad. It also states that all immigration-related applications are handled by the service provider VFS Global, on its platform dedicated to the department.

The department's site also refers to an online electronic visa application service and to an online services portal for passports and identity cards. It states offices in the nine provinces, VFS Global offices and service centers abroad, as well as a call center on 0800 60 11 90.

The site lists ten visa categories, six of which are taken up above: to these are added the intra-company transfer visa, the corporate visa, the exchange visa and the retired person visa.

Steps in the procedure

  1. Determine the visa category corresponding to the purpose of the stay from those the department lists.
  2. Assemble the documents specific to that category, as the page describes them.
  3. File the application at a regional office of the Department of Home Affairs or with the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate.
  4. Go through the service provider VFS Global, which the department designates for all immigration applications.
  5. Where applicable, use the department's online electronic visa application service.
  6. Wait for the decision, within the processing times published by the department.

The portal consulted does not number the steps; these reproduce only what the pages state.

Documents mentioned by the authority

Stated fees and processing times

According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026, the processing times published are in particular: critical skills work visa 4 weeks; general work visa 4 weeks; business visa 8 weeks; visitor visa 60 days; study visa 60 days; medical treatment visa 60 days; relative's visa 120 days; visa at the point of entry 5 days, and 10 days for the electronic visa channel.

After the decision

What follows the decision is not detailed on the pages consulted. The Department of Home Affairs decides.

The site names related steps: appeal in the event of overstaying the authorized period, appeal against a ban, as well as a section devoted to compliance with the conditions of visas and permits and to their withdrawal. Their conditions are not stated on the pages consulted.

Prepare your application

Frequently asked questions

Where is the application filed?

According to the page consulted: at a regional office of the Department of Home Affairs or with the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate. The department states that immigration applications are handled by the service provider VFS Global.

Is there an electronic visa?

Yes. The department refers to an online electronic visa application service and publishes a processing time specific to that channel, of 10 days for a visa at the point of entry.

Which visa categories exist?

The page consulted lists ten of them: business, general work, critical skills, intra-company transfer, corporate, study, exchange, retired person, relative's and medical treatment visas.

What processing times does the authority announce?

According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026: 4 weeks for a critical skills or general work visa, 8 weeks for a business visa, 60 days for a visitor, study or medical treatment visa, and 120 days for a relative's visa.

What are the fees?

Not stated as an amount on the portal consulted. The department states only that the fees are liable to change and that they vary according to the country and the currency, and refers to a separate prices page.

Points to check with the authority

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