South Africa Visa Fees: Your Ultimate Guide

Introduction

Are you planning a trip or want to temporarily live in South Africa and are feeling a little overwhelmed b the visa application process? You’re not alone! The South African Department of Home Affairs and the South African embassy, consulate or Diplomatic mission in your country are responsible for managing the immigration system. However, navigating the process can be confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the different immigration expenses.

That’s where we come in! We’ve created this guide to help you better understand South Africa visa fees and simplify the application process. We understand that the fees and requirements can be confusing, which is why we’ve made it our mission to provide you with clear and concise information.

From the different South Africa visa types available to the fees associated with each one, we’ve got you covered. We’ll guide you through the process and help you understand the immigration expenses associated with your trip. We believe that planning your travel should be enjoyable, not stressful, and we’re here to help make the process as smooth as possible. An important aspect to consider is “how much bank balance is required for a South Africa visa“.

So, let’s get started on demystifying the visa process and understanding the confusing immigration expenses. By the end of this guide, you’ll have all the information you need to apply for your South African visa with confidence and ease. The process of applying for a South Africa visa extension can be quite easy if you read our blog.

Importance of Knowing the Permit Charges

Planning a trip to South Africa is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming. There are many things to consider, such as accommodations, activities, and travel costs. One of the most important aspects of your trip that you should never overlook is the visa fees.

Knowing the South Africa travel costs, including visa fees, is essential to avoid any unpleasant surprises during your trip. Not only will it help you budget accordingly, but it will also prevent any unnecessary delays or complications during the visa process.

Don’t let the confusion surrounding visa fees ruin your South African adventure – do your research and budget accordingly.

Visa and Temporary Residence Permit Prices

South Africa visit visa fee – R 425.00 (There are different types of visitor visas for South Africa)

Transit Visa – R 425.00

Business Visa (90 days or less) – R 425.00

Research Visa – R 425.00

Spousal Visa – No fee

Life Partner Visa – No fee

Relative’s Visa (Brother/Sister) – R 425.00

Relative’s Visa (Major Child) – R 425.00

Relative’s Visa (Minor Child) – No fee

Student Visa – R 425.00

Treaty Visa – R 425.00

Medical Visa – R 425.00

Retired Person Visa – R 425.00

Business Visa (Start a business) – R 1520.00

General Work Visa – R 1520.00

Intra-Company Visa Work Visa – R 1520.00

Critical Skills Work Visa – R 1520.00

Corporate Visa – No fee

Exchange Visa – R 425.00

Permanent Residence Permit – R 1520

Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Charges

When applying for a South African visa, some embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions make use of VFS (Visa Facilitation Services), which is a company that provides visa application processing services on behalf of the South African Department of Home Affairs. VFS charges an additional fee for their services, which is in addition to the visa application fee.

The exact cost of the VFS Fee will depend on the specific embassy or consulate you are working with, as well as the type of visa you are applying for. However, it’s important to note that the VFS and visa fees are paid together online or sometimes the visa fee is paid at the VFS centre.

It’s also worth noting that the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa also makes use of VFS for all visas.

The VFS fee in RSA is: R 1550.00 and the VIP fee is R 2050.00

Additional Service Fees for Temporary Residence Visas

In addition to visa fees, applicants may also need to pay additional fees for third-party processes such as the services of a sworn translator. Other third-party processes that may incur additional fees could include medical examinations, background checks, or biometric data collection. It is important for applicants to carefully review the visa application requirements and to budget accordingly to ensure that they have the necessary funds to cover all of the costs associated with the application process.

Sworn translator:

When applying for a visa or any other official document, it is common for applicants to need to submit various supporting documents such as a passport, birth certificate, or academic transcripts. If any of these documents are in a language other than English, the Department of Home Affairs, South African embassy or consulate will typically require that they be translated into English for processing.

The fees of translation services can vary depending on the language, the length and complexity of the document, and the speed of the service required. This is an extra cost which will need to be paid.

Police Clearance:

Another extra charge is the police clearance certificate, which is required for each country that you have lived in for 12 months or more since the age of 18. This certificate is essentially a document that verifies that you have no criminal record in that country or country.

While the cost of obtaining a police clearance certificate will vary depending on the country, it’s important to factor in this cost when planning your visa application.

Medical Examination & Radiology Costs:

The medical checkup and radiology exam are mandatory for all applicants besides pregnant women and children under 12 years of age. The medical checkup and radiology exam are designed to ensure that you are in good health and don’t pose a risk to public health in South Africa.

The cost of the medical checkup will depend on the doctor you visit and the radiology will depend on the radiologist you make use of. The medical and radiology reports are valid for 6 months from the date of issue.

South African Qualifications Assessment (SAQA):

Another important fee to consider when applying for a temporary residence visa is the assessment of your foreign qualifications. If you have completed any education or training outside of RSA, you must get your qualifications assessed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to determine their equivalence to South African qualifications.

This is an important step, especially if you plan to work or study in the Republic of South Africa, as it helps to ensure that your qualifications are recognized and accepted by employers or educational institutions in the country.

Cost:

• First qualification submitted: R 1800.00
• Subsequent qualification submitted: R 900.00

Registering With A Professional Body For A Critical Skills Work Visa:

If you are planning on applying for a critical skills visa for South Africa, there’s an additional fee to consider – registering with a professional body that regulates your profession. This is an important step, as it helps to ensure that you are qualified to work in your field in RSA and that you meet the standards and requirements set by the relevant regulatory body.

The cost of registration will vary depending on your profession and the regulatory body that you need to register with.

Life Partner Contract:

When applying for a life partner visa you are required to obtain a cohabitation contract as part of the application process, you may need to have the contract notarized. Notarization is a process in which a notary public verifies the authenticity of the signatures on a document, essentially confirming that the people who signed the document are who they say they are.

The fee will depend on where you live and the notary public you choose to work with.

Yellow Fever Certificate:

Yellow fever is a viral infection that is spread by mosquitoes, and South Africa requires visitors from certain countries to have proof of vaccination against yellow fever to enter the country. Getting a yellow fever certificate typically involves visiting a healthcare professional to receive the vaccine which includes paying a fee.

Medical Aid for International Students:

Medical aid is an extra expense when applying for a student visa in RSA. It’s a requirement for all international students to have medical aid coverage while studying in the country. But don’t worry, there are various medical aid options available to choose from, so you can find one that suits your needs and budget. It’s always best to do our research and compare different providers before making a decision.

While it may be an extra expense for the student visa, having medical aid is important to ensure you have access to healthcare during your stay in South Africa. Plus, having medical coverage can give you peace of mind and help you focus on your studies without worrying about unexpected medical expenses.

Chartered Accountant Certificate:

If you are applying for a business visa, you’ll need to provide a CA (Chartered Accountant) Certificate to prove that you have 5 million Rand which has originated from abroad. This is an important requirement to ensure that you have enough funds to invest in a business in South Africa. The CA certificate should be prepared by a registered and qualified Chartered Accountant, who will verify your financial information and provide a professional opinion on your financial standing.

For the retirement visa, you’ll need to provide a CA certificate to prove that you have 37 000 rands per month. This is to ensure that you have enough funds to support yourself during your retirement in South Africa. The CA certificate should also be prepared by a registered and qualified Chartered Accountant, who will verify your income and provide a professional opinion on your financial standing.

It’s important to note that these CA certificates are crucial documents in your visa application process, and they need to be accurate and up-to-date.

The fee for a CA certificate in SA is approximately R 1500.00

Using an Immigration Agent or lawyer for your SA visa application:

If you’re considering using an immigration agent or lawyer to assist with your SA visa application, it’s important to be aware that this may come with an extra fee.

While it is possible to submit a visa application on your own, using an immigration agent or lawyer can help navigate the application process and ensure that all required documentation is included. An immigration agent or lawyer can provide expert guidance on the visa application process, help you understand the requirements, and advise you on any potential issues that may arise.

However, it’s important to note that using an immigration agent or lawyer can come with additional fees beyond the cost of the application itself. These fees will vary depending on the agent or lawyer you choose to work with, and may include a consultation fee, application preparation fee, or other associated costs.

It’s always a good idea to do your research and choose an immigration agent or lawyer with a good reputation and experience in handling your case. Before working with an agent or lawyer, make sure to discuss their fees and any additional costs associated with their services, so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not to use their services.

In conclusion, using an immigration agent or lawyer for your visa may come with an extra fee, but it can be a worthwhile investment if you want to ensure a smooth and successful process.

Payment Methods for visa fees:

The payment process may vary depending on where you’re applying from and the specific visa application centre you’re using.

If you’re applying through VFS Global, which is a popular visa application centre used by many countries including South Africa, you can pay online. VFS Global offers various payment options, including debit and credit cards, and bank transfers.

On the other hand, if you’re applying for a South Africa visa directly at an embassy or consulate, you may be required to pay in person. Depending on the embassy or consulate, they may accept cash, credit/debit or bank transfers. I would recommend contacting the specific embassy or consulate where you plan to apply to confirm their accepted payment methods.

It’s also worth noting that some South African missions abroad may use VFS Global to handle their visa applications, in which case online payment options may be available.

Overall, payment methods for South Africa visa applications will depend on where and how you’re applying. But no matter the payment method, make sure to follow the instructions carefully and double-check all the details before submitting your payment to avoid any delays or complications in your visa application process.