South Africa Visa from Dubai

Are you planning to Visit South African from Dubai? Are you wondering if you need to get a visa? We have this South African visa from Dubai guide for you.
South Africa is an African country located at South part of Africa. It is one of the African countries on the travel list of people from Dubai.
Whether you want to travel to South African for business or tourism from Dubai, you can contact Arooha for assistance on Visa requirements.
Meanwhile, continue reading this guide to learn visa requirements, cost and process to get a South African visa from Dubai.

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South africa Visa from dubai

01 First Step

Check out if you are a passport holder of a country eligible for a visa on arrival visa.

If so, you can apply for a South Africa on-arrival visa and Stay up to 90 days.

Passport Holders Who Are Exempt from South Africa Visa (Subject To Change without Notice)

You should also check if you are a passport holder of countries allowed to enter South Africa without applying for a visa.

1. The holder of a national South African passport, travel document and document for travel purposes.

2. 90 days on-arrival visa

Below is a list of countries (passport holders, diplomatic, official or ordinary) that are not required to get a South African visa in advance because they will be issued one when entering South Africa at the point of entry. The on-arrival issue will allow one to stay up to 90 days.

African Union Laissez Passer Andorra Argentina
Australia Austria Argentina
Canada Chile (only ordinary passport holders) Czech Republic
Denmark Ecuador Finland
France Germany (except in diplomatic staff due to assume duty at the Embassy and Consulates of Germany in SA)
Greece Iceland Ireland
Israel Italy Jamaica
Japan Liechtenstein Luxemburg
Malta Monaco Namibia (only ordinary passport holders 90 days per annum)
Netherlands Norway Panama
Paraguay Portugal Russian Federation
San Marino Singapore Spain
St Vincent & the Grenadines Sweden Switzerland
Tanzania (90 days per annum) Trinidad & Tobago (only ordinary passport holders) Isle of Man
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (only ordinary passport holders)
British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey
Oversees Territories namely:
Anguilla Bermuda British Antarctic Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands
Falkland Islands Gibraltar Montserrat
St Helena and Dependencies (Ascension Island, Gough Island and Tristan da Cunha)
Pitcairn Henderson Ducie and Oeno Islands
the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus South Georgia South Sandwich Islands
The Turks Caicos Island Uruguay
United States of America (except in respect of diplomatic staff due to assume duty at the Embassy and Consulates of the USA in SA, as well as service passport holders)
Venezuela Zambia (90 days per annum) Zimbabwe

3. 30 days on-arrival visa

Below is a list of countries (passport holders, diplomatic, official or ordinary) that are not required to get a South African visa in advance because they will be issued one when entering South Africa at the point of entry. The on-arrival issue will allow one to stay up to 30 days.

Antigua and Barbuda Barbados Belize
Bahamas (only ordinary passport holders) Benin Bolivia
Cape Verde Costa Rica Cyprus
Gabon Guyana Hungary
Hong Kong [only with regard to holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas passports and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports]
Jordan Lesotho Malaysia
Macau [only with regard to holders of Macau Special Administrative Region passports (MSAR)]
Malawi Maldives Mauritius
Mozambique Peru Poland
Seychelles South Korea Swaziland
Thailand Turkey

4. Agreements have also been concluded with the following countries for holders of diplomatic and official passport holders.

Per section 31(3)(b) [accredited in SA], citizens of the following countries who hold diplomatic, official, or service passports are exempt from the requirement to obtain a visa before entering South Africa for the period indicated and during transit.

Albania (120 days) Algeria (30 days) Angola (90 days)
Belarus (90 days) Benelux states (90 days) Bulgaria (90 days)
China (PROC) (30 days) Cyprus (90 days) Comoros (90 days)
Croatia (90 days) Cuba (90 days) Egypt (30 days)
Ghana (90 days) Hungary (120 days) India (90 days)
Guinea (90 days) Indonesia (30 days) Ivory Coast (Cote d’Ivoire) (30 days)
Kenya (30 days) Mexico (90 days) Madagascar (30 days)
Morocco (30 days) Mozambique (90 days) Namibia (30 days)
Nigeria (90 days) Paraguay (120 days) Poland (90 days)
Romania (90 days) Rwanda (30 days) Senegal (90 days)
Slovak Republic (90 days) Thailand (90 days) Vietnam (90 days)
unisia (90 days) (also special passports)

5. If a foreign national's visa exemption is revoked, they must continue to meet all visa requirements (regardless of this Schedule) until the Department notifies them that their exemption has been reinstated (either in response to a petition or automatically).

6. Commercial heavy vehicle drivers hired by a South African company and meeting the country's visa exemption requirements can enter and work in the country without first obtaining a work visa. However, they must show proof of work in a letter when they arrive.
According to a ruling from the North Gauteng High Court, foreign commercial heavy vehicle drivers can be hired on a visitor's visa under section 11(1)(a) of the Immigration Act if they also have permission to work under section 11(2) of the same Act for the duration of their visa exemption, which should not exceed 90 days.

7. Commercial heavy-duty vehicle drivers from Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Malawi are exempt from obtaining a visa at the port of entry, provided they have a letter from their employer confirming their employment and stay within the visa-exempt period.Work authorization under section 11(2) of the Immigration Act for the duration of their visa exemption, which may not exceed 90 days, and a visitor's visa per section 11(1)(a) of the Immigration Act.

8. Southern African Development Community (SADC) employees on official business trips of up to 90 days duration or in transit are exempt from visa requirements if they hold a valid SADC laissez-passer.

South Africa Visa from dubai

9. Members of the UN categories mentioned below, their spouses, dependents, and other household members do not need visas for stays in South Africa that do not last longer than 90 days for official business, transit, or when they have been approved to work at a UN mission in South Africa.

10. No visa or student visa is necessary for members of the armed forces in South Africa for official military business with the South African National Defense Force. However, they must bring letters of invitation from the SANDF and authorization from their military unit.

11. As of December 18, 2015, O.R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, and Lanseria International Airport no longer need transit visas. This is because of section 10B (4) (a) of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act No. 13 of 2002). Biometric checks will be done on people who are just passing through.

All deportees transiting through a port of entry must be accompanied and have a valid transit visa.

Countries that need to obtain a visa

If you are planning to travel from Dubai to South Africa and are a passport holder of the country not mentioned above, you must obtain a South Africa visa in advance.

02 Quick Guide to get South Africa – Visit Visa

Visa type – Short term visa

Tourist Visa

Tourism

Business Visa

Business

Transit visa

Transit visa

Cultural/ Sport/ Researching

03 South Africa Visa Prices From Dubai

When you apply for a visa to enter South Africa, you must pay a non-refundable cost. There may be some pricing differences for visas, depending on factors such as the applicant's age and the kind of visa they wish to apply for.

On the other hand, the total price includes the visa application fee and a service charge of AED 200 for Arooha.

04 Required documents for South Africa visa from Dubai

Completed Visa application Completed Visa application

Form (DHA-84) Form 11 in BLACK ink only

Residence Visa Residence Visa

Valid for 3 months from the date of return

Accommodation Accommodation

Proof of hotel booking (provisional or confirmed)

Two recent coloured photograph Two recent coloured photograph

Must be a clear copy, high-resolution, white background and not older than 6 months. Passport size: 4.5cm×3.5cm in width. Close up of your head and top of your shoulder so that the face takes 80% of the photograph.

PassportPassport

The passport must be valid for 30 days or more from the date of departure from South Africa, and copies of entry and exit seals/stamps of previously obtained visas, if any. 02 blank pages, not older than 10 years. Non-machine readable and manually extended passports are NOT acceptable.

For applicants MARRIED to a SOUTH AFRICAN For applicants MARRIED to a SOUTH AFRICAN

The following additional documents are required: A copy of the Marriage certificate, a copy of the South African ID or the South African passport of the spouse.

NOC Letter from Employer NOC Letter from Employer

The UAE company letter must be original. The use of electronic signatures is NOT permitted. The letter should confirm the beginning and ending times of the trip, the reason for the trip, and the financial commitment. Original signatures (with full names and titles) and stamps are required.

No more than a month should have passed since the date of the letter when the application is submitted. The company's full address, phone number, fax number, electronic addresses and URLs must all be included.

A copy of the business license is necessary if the applicant is the owner or a partner in the company. Visa applicants with a spouse, parent, or employer sponsoring them Sponsorship letter (provided by the sponsor, confirming the travel dates, the exact purpose of travel, relationship, details of the applicant, and financial undertaking; must be typed and initially signed by the sponsor).

The letter must include the sponsor's UAE address and contact information. If the applicant doesn't have access to his or her bank statement (because of age, lack of work, school, or other responsibilities), the sponsor must provide one. All bank statements need to have the legal stamp of the bank. Also, a copy of the sponsor's UAE visa and passport is required.

For applicants MARRIED to a SOUTH AFRICANUnabridged birth certificate for all MINORS (below the age of 18) Affidavit or parental consent:

The following forms of identification are necessary for minors travelling with both of their parents: At the time of the submission, you must present the original birth certificate for the child.

Nevertheless, only a copy of the document must be attached to the application for the visa. A copy of the parent's passport and evidence of UAE residency is required.

Air TicketAir Ticket

Proof of booked flight tickets (either provisional or confirmed) is required. If the applicant is travelling from one location to another, proof of one or more domestic flights is also necessary.

Medical Cover / Travel InsuranceMedical Cover / Travel Insurance

As "Proof of Coverage," you must submit either a copy of the insurance policy or a letter of certification from the supplier of the service. The insurance policy's coverage and geographical scope must specify that it applies "WORLDWIDE" or includes South Africa.

Proof of financial means / Bank StatementsProof of financial means / Bank Statements

The applicant's most recent bank statement covering the past three months proves you have the financial means to support your stay in South Africa. Bank statements issued by a bank "in the UAE" are the only ones accepted. The bank statement and the minimum balance must contain the original bank stamp, and the minimum balance cannot be lower than 3,000 AED. Original bank statements received by mail OR printed copies from online Internet banking (which must be stamped by the bank) will be accepted as valid forms of documentation.

Yellow fever certificateYellow fever certificate

If the applicant has been in a yellow fever zone within the past year or will be transiting for more than 12 hours through a yellow fever endemic zone, the applicant must present a yellow fever certificate.

Kindly note: Applicants who do not have a document proving that they have been vaccinated against yellow fever but who have been to areas where the disease is endemic are kindly asked to get vaccinated at least ten days before coming to South Africa.

For applicants who are going straight to South Africa from Dubai and haven't been in a Yellow Fever zone in the past year, it is "NOT" necessary to have a yellow fever certificate or meet any other health requirements.

04 South Africa visa processing

The processing time of South Africans via Dubai varies from 5 working days up to 10 working days.

Procedure

1

Provide the relevant documents and payment

2

Preliminary checking and advice

3

Type applications and prepare relevant documents

4

Examine the application thoroughly by the visa consultant

5

Appointment with the South African embassy to submit your documents

6

The phase of the Visa Application process

7

Passport collection

8

Visa-ready notification

05 Tips before travelling to South Africa

A new spot for selfies

You might think that the Cape of Good Hope is the most southern part of the Cape Peninsula. It's not like that.
Soon, that will no longer be the case. Cape Agulhas is about 109 miles southeast of Cape Town, about 175 kilometres away. If you go there, you should take the required picture.

A well-developed destination

We think of South Africa as a less developed country known for its many different kinds of tours.
You don't have the slightest idea what's going on! South Africa has a very modern infrastructure. It has everything from fancy hotels and restaurants to shopping malls, public markets, and museums, all linked by well-kept roads.
No, wild animals don't run free in the streets of cities where people live. In the city, you will never see predators chasing cattle and other livestock, but you might see that happen if you go to the towns near forests and national parks. So fret not.

Take proper safety precautions.

Safety should be your priority if this is your first trip to South Africa. People think that the country is dangerous.
Tourists are often the target of small thefts, but you can avoid this type of crime by taking the right steps.
Do not go out alone at night, wear flashy jewellery, use your phone (even to play games), or listen to music on your iPod (this includes playing music).
Also, don't put your bag or phone down on a table or chair at a place without watching it.
Even though there are a lot of murders in South Africa, most of them happen in remote areas where tourists don't go. This is true even though South Africa is known as a dangerous place to visit.

A good exchange rate

You will find that South Africa has a reasonable pricing range if you are accustomed to using the United States Dollar, the Euro, or the Pound.
Local beers cost one dollar or less, local wine costs approximately twenty dollars, a three-course meal with refreshments at an upscale restaurant will come within forty dollars per person, and hotel rooms cost a fraction of what they do in the bulk of cities in the United States of America.
The best thing is that you can shop for various souvenirs, handmade home decor, and even some copper jewellery for about 7 US Dollars, approximately 100 South African Rand.

Have a bigger budget for safaris

In South Africa, you can get much value regarding hotels and other expenses. When it comes to going on a safari, you will need to increase the size of your wallet slightly.
You won't have access to comfortable beds or knowledgeable guides on a low-cost safari, so plan accordingly. During the shoulder seasons, you can book a decent safari at a location with a solid reputation for about USD 400. This price will cover your lodging, meals, sighting possibilities, as well as the services of an expert ranger.
If you need transportation, use Uber, and remember these guidelines. Use Uber instead of taxis because they have meters and won't overcharge you for being a tourist.
Alone female tourists to South Africa shouldn't travel around the country at night. If you decide to rent a car, take precautions to ensure that you are covered by comprehensive insurance and do not leave anything of value in the car.
Be careful not to deviate from the unlimited routes, and watch out for drivers going extremely fast. Driving on the left is common in South Africa.

06 Frequently asked Questions

How many days will my visa process take?

After the application submission, the processing time for short nationalities might range from 7 to 15 days.

Do children below the age of 18 need to be accompanied by parents?

Yes, Children under 18 must have a parent or other responsible adult accompany them at all times, with a letter of no objection (NOC) from both parents confirming that there are no concerns regarding the trip. You should put copies of the child's passport on the application for the child. Additionally, a copy of the individual's birth certificate is required.

What if my passport is older than 10 years? Can I still apply for a visa?

No, you will not be able to apply for a South Africa visa with a passport older than 10 years.

Is the visa fee refunded in case of rejection?

No, the visa fee is non-refundable in case of rejection, as granting the visa is purely at the discretion of the embassy.

What if the visa got delayed due to the embassy?

You will receive a receipt with the embassy number you can call to check if they need any additional documents.

Is insurance mandatory to get a visa?

Yes, you must get travel insurance because it's mandatory and for your safety. During your trip, your insurance will cover you if you get hurt, or something bad happens because of nature.

Can my visa be extended in India if I stay longer than required?

If the visa type is Entry, Employment or Student visa, it can be extended by the FRRO after certain checks. A tourist Visa is non-extendable.

Is hotel booking required?

Yes, hotel booking is one of the main criteria for a visa application. Without this, your visa will not be processed.

Who decides if I will get a visa?

The South African Consul General in the UAE reviews your visa application and makes the final call on whether or not to grant the visa. Arooha has no influence on or involvement with the visa application determination.