You will need the following if you wish to visit South Africa

• A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay
• At least one blank page in your passport for endorsement
• A valid visa, if required
• Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay
• A return or onward ticket
• Yellow fever certificates if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

Don't forget that there a certain goods that you cannot bring into South Africa and other goods on which duties need to be paid.

South African visitors' visas may be granted for:

• Visits to family or friends and also for tourism purposes
• Business purposes
• To join a spouse who is in South Africa on work or study permit
• Fiancee/fiance to join his or her partner with the intention of marrying within 90 days
• Studying purposes (max stay three months)
• Charitable or voluntary activities
• Research
• Conferences
• To work in the production od a movie or show (i.e in the entertainment industry)
• For medical purposes (max stay three months)
• Sport events

Documents required for applying for a visa

• A passport or travel document valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your inteded visit.
• Your passport must have at least TWO unused pages for entry/departure endorsements
• A complete Form BI-84 (application for a visa).
• Payment of the presribed fee.
• A yellow fever vaccination certificate (if required).
• Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit.
• Two color passport photographs.
• A return or onward ticket if you are travelling by air.
• If you have children (minors) travelling with you or joining you in South Africa, you will need to provide the following additional documents:
  • Proof of guardianship or custody or;
  • Consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor
• Proof of financial means to pay for your living expenses while in South Africa in the form of:
  • Bank Statement;
  • Salary advances;
  • Undertakings by the host(s) in South Africa
  • Bursary
  • Medical cover or
  • Cash available (including credit cards and traveller's cheques)