How to Apply for South Africa Visa from Dubai – Perfect Guide

Countries that Need to Obtain South Africa Visa

There are a number of visa-exempt countries that can enter South Africa for 30 days or 90 days duration without a visa. However, the countries listed below need to apply for a visa to enter South Africa.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, DR of Congo, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, French Guiana, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greenland, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Lithuania, Macedonia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Romania, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.

South Africa Visa from Dubai – Things to Know Before You Apply

The following are a few things you need to know before you apply for your visa.

• The original passport will be kept by the embassy for stamping purposes.
• The Consulate General will not accept a passport that is manually written, extended or renewed.
• All infants and kids traveling with their UAE Citizen parent/s will require a visa to enter South Africa. It’s also vital to carry their birth certificates.
• A vaccination certificate if required should be submitted.
• Yellow Fever Certificate: This is required only if the applicant is coming from or going through a yellow fever endemic zone. But, this is not applicable to applicants who are going directly to South Africa from Dubai and who have not traveled to any yellow fever zone recently or within a year’s time.
• Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages for entry and departure stamps.
• A provisional return or onward journey ticket
• Proof of guardianship and custody in case of travel with minor
• A cash deposit may be requested from applicants

South Africa Visa Types

The different types of visa from Dubai include tourist visa (also known as e-visa), visit visa and transit visa. These depend on the duration of your stay in South Africa.

• Tourist Visa: For an E-Visa, the applicants have to complete the application and make fee payment online. The procedures are relatively simple as one doesn’t have to directly visit a consulate or embassy to apply for a South Africa visa. On approval, the e-visa will be emailed to the applicant and travelers will be able to gain entry into South Africa with the help of e-visa.
• Visit Visa: A visit visa is ideal for:
  • Nationalities traveling from non-visa exempt countries
  • Nationalities who are eligible for visa-exempt entry but looking to stay in the country beyond their allowed exemption period
  • The visitors can stay for a maximum period of 90 days.
• Transit Visa: It is issued to travelers who will pass through South Africa en route to its neighboring countries. It is not required if a traveler is not leaving the airport.
• Business visa: This visa permits people to visit the country and stay here for a maximum period of 90 days for work or business. But, it’s vital to fill out the B1-1738 form for investment or business.

South Africa Visa Processing from Dubai

• Duration: It will take approximately 5-10 working days to process your visa.
• Procedure: Rayna Tours will assist you with booking an appointment at the visa application center, form filling, verification of documents, flight and hotel booking and travel insurance
• Where and How you can apply? You can contact Rayna Tours for professional and hassle-free visa assistance on:
  • Contact: intvisas@raynatours.com
  • Toll-free number: 80072962 or Whatsapp on +971 561147879
  • Cost: The cost is approximately 650 AED.
  • Validity: The visa is valid for a duration of 30 days to enter and 30 days to stay.

Required Documents for South Africa Visa from Dubai

• • Original passport (with minimum 6 months validity)
  • Completed visa application (Form DHA-84) Form 11 to be filled in black ink only
  • Residence visa with 90 days validity
  • Original NOC letter mentioning designation, salary, joining date, travel purpose of employee addressed to the South African embassy

• 3 recent photographs with white background (3.5*4.5 cm)
• Latest online bank statement with bank stamp or original bank statement
• Invitation letter from friend or relative is beneficial
• An invitation letter is mandatory for business visa
• Proof of air tickets including domestic flight in case the applicant is traveling from one city to another
• Proof of hotel booking or any other accommodation
• Proof of medical cover and travel insurance

Tips Before Traveling to South Africa

The following travel tips will come handy in order to make your trip to South Africa a smooth one.

• Carry all your important documents such as passport, travel insurance, and medical insurance
• The best time to visit is from November to February
• Carry your international debit and credit cards
• Withdraw some Rand (South African currency) from ATMs
• Use metered taxis and Uber for the commute as they are very reasonable in South Africa
• Be vigilant about your belongings as there are many cases of petty theft carried out in South Africa
• Take proper safety precaution
• Keep a big budget for your safaris

South Africa Visa FAQ

1.  How many days will it take to process the visa?

A: Normally it takes up to 5-10 working days. In some cases, the visa processing takes only 5-6 working days.

2. What are the steps involved in visa processing?

 A: The following steps are involved in visa processing:

• Identify visa type: Select the correct visa type based on your trip
• Begin Application: Fill your application with correct details
• Documents: Prepare the required travel documents and keep them ready
• Schedule an appointment: Book an appointment with the South African Embassy
• Fees: Pay your fees
• Submit Documents: Visit the visa application center and submit your documents
• Track application: Upon successful filing of visa application, you can track the status of your visa
• Visa-ready notification: Once your visa is processed, it will be stamped on your passport
• Passport collection: Collect your passport from the visa application center

3. Is the visa processing fee refundable if it has been rejected?

A: No, the visa fee is non-refundable in case of rejection as granting the visa depends on the decision of the embassy.

4. Would personal appearance or biometrics be required?

A: Yes, the applicant has to personally visit the visa application center for the submission of documents and biometrics.

5. What should be the validity of my passport?

A: The validity of the passport should be a minimum of 6 months and must be valid for 30 days or more from the date of departure from South Africa.