
Get Your South Africa Visa From Dubai!
Last Updated : 6 Oct 2023
Atlys in the news


30-Second Summary
UAE citizens can travel to South Africa without a visa for 90 days.
UAE residents must apply for their visa based on their nationality.
Most nationals can apply for a South Africa e visa.
If you want to extend your visa, you must do so 60 days before your visa expires.
Important Information
— Is A Visa Required?
— South Africa Visa Cost
— South Africa E Visa Processing Time
— Lenght Of Stay
— South Africa Visa Validity
Do UAE Citizens Need A Visa For South Africa?
No, you don’t. UAE citizens can travel to South Africa without a visa for 90 days. However, if your stay is longer than 90 days, you must apply for a visa.
Is There A South Africa Visa For UAE Residents?
No, there’s not. This means that you must apply for a South Africa visa based on your nationality. Certain nationals can apply for a South Africa e visa whereas others must apply for a visa at the South African Embassy.
Make sure you check the list of countries that can apply for an e visa to see if you’re eligible.
What Is The South Africa Online Visa?
The e visa allows you to apply online and receive the approved visa by email. You can apply for the e visa if you're traveling for tourism or business purposes.
The visa for tourism is usually valid for 90 days which means that when you enter South Africa, you can stay there for up to 90 days. However, you have to leave before your visa expires.
Who Can Apply For A South Africa E Visa?
Nationals of the following countries can apply for a South Africa e visa:
Albania, Algeria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Liberia, Lithuania, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, People’s Republic Of China, Philippines, Republic Of Guinea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, and Uganda.
Purpose Of Visit
The South Africa visitor visa may be granted for the following:
Visits to family or friends and also for tourism purposes.
Business purposes.
Spouse to join a spouse who is in South Africa on a work or study permit.
Children to join parents who are in South Africa on work or study permits.
Fiancée/ fiancé to join his or her partner with the intention of marrying within 90 days.
Study purposes (max stay 3-months).
Charitable or voluntary activities.
Research.
Conferences.
To work in the production of a movie or show.
For medical purposes (max stay 3-months).
Sport events.
What Are The South Africa Visa Requirements?
There are certain South Africa visa requirements you must meet to travel to South Africa. The requirements to enter the country are as follows:
A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay.
At least one blank page in your passport for endorsements.
A valid visa.
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.
What Are The Required Documents For A South Africa Visa?
You need certain travel documents in order to apply for your South Africa visa online. If you forget one of these documents, it will extend your processing time or in some cases, your visa will be rejected.
You need the following documents:
A valid passport.
Proof of sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay (bank statements).
A return or onward flight ticket
Yellow fever certificates if your journey starts or passes through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date of your return. You also need to make sure that there are at least two blank passport pages.
How Much Bank Balance Is Required For A South Africa Visa?
You need a minimum of ZAR 3000 (approximately DH 565). You need to provide this balance on a bank statement when you apply for your visa.
Note that the fee in DH is according to the exchange rate. The balance will change as the exchange fluctuates.
Passport Photo Requirements
You must make sure that your passport photo meets the requirements. The requirements for the South African e visa are as follows:
The photo should be a recent photon (taken within the last 6 months) in color.
The photo should be in a JPEG format and not exceed 500KB.
The photo must be taken against a plain white or off-white background.
You must face the camera with a neutral expression and open eyes.
The applicant's face should take up 70-80% of the photo.
The photo should be shadows-free and have no borders or edges.
The applicant should not wear any hats, sunglasses, or any other head covering except for religious reasons.
The applicant's face must be visible from the forehead to the chin, with no hair on the face.
How To Apply For A South Africa Tourist Visa?
The application process can take a bit of time because the application form is long. However, if you follow this step-by-step guide, you’ll complete it without hassle.
Step 1: Go To The E Visa Website
Click on “Create Your Profile.” If you already have one you can click “Sign In” in the top right corner of the page.
Step 2: Complete The Visa Application From
The form is quite long. However, I’ll go over each category in the visa application form:
Personal Details:
Provide your name, surname, title, place of birth, date of birth, cell phone number, purpose of visit, etc.
Home Physical Address:
Enter your address of the country you’re living in.
Marital Status Details:
Select which status applies to you:
Not married.
Married.
Widowed.
Divorced.
Separated.
Life partner.
Spousal relationship.
Details Of The Last 5 Visas Issued To You:
If you’ve had a visa issued to you from any other country (including South Africa) you must give their details.
Contact Person In The Country Of Your Residence:
You must provide information such as their name, surname, address, cell phone number, etc.
Intentions:
This section requires information about your travels. This includes your departure date, dat of arrival, intended duration of stay, etc.
Financial Declaration:
You must state whether you have enough money to cover the stay of your trip.
Employment Record:
Provide information about your employment.
Health Questionnaire:
Answer a few questions about you and your health. This includes questions like:
Have you ever been refused entry into or deported from the Republic of South Africa?
Have you or any of your dependents accompanying you ever been convicted of any crime in any country?
Is a criminal / civil case pending against you or any of your dependents accompanying you in any country?
Have you ever been judicially declared incompetent?
These are only a few of the questions you must answer.
Declaration:
The last step in completing the application form is agreeing to the declaration.
Step 3: Upload The Required Documents
You must make sure that all your documents meet the requirements and upload requirements. If you’re struggling to upload your documents, compress it into a smaller file.
Step 4: Pay Your Visa Fee And Submit Your Application
You can pay your visa fee through the online portal with a credit or debit card. After you pay the visa fee you must submit your application.
This is also when the processing time starts. Once your application is processed you’ll receive your visa via email. Make sure you download and print your visa.
How Can I Check My E Visa Status?
You can check your South Africa visa status by simply logging in to your account and checking your status on your dashboard.
Everything You Need To Know About The South Africa Visa From The UAE
How Much Is The South Africa E Visa?
The South Africa E Visa costs approximately USD 87 (DH 319). However, please note that these fees can change and you’ll be able to see your visa cost once you upload your documents.
How Long Does It Take To Process A Visa For South Africa?
The processing time is around 3 business days. The processing time does not include weekends or public holidays.
What Is The South Africa Tourist Visa From Dubai Validity?
The visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days. This means that once your 90 days in SA are up you must leave the country.
Can I Extend My Visa?
Yes, you can extend your South Africa E Visa once if you have a 90 day visa. However, you must apply for an extension 60 before your visa expires.
You can apply for a visa extension at the Immigration Department in South Africa.
That’s It!
You’re ready for your travels. Everything you need to know is in this post. If you have any more questions you can check our FAQ section.
Government Sources
Atlys strives to give you valuable information. As such we only use government websites as a source of information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the South African e-visa?
The South African e-visa is an electronic visa that allows travelers to apply for a visa online before traveling to South Africa.
How do UAE residents apply for a South African e-visa?
UAE residents can apply for a South African e-visa by completing the online application form on the official website of the South African Department of Home Affairs.
Is there a visa fee for the South African e-visa?
Yes, there is a visa fee associated with the South African e-visa. You can pay the visa fee online through the government website.
Is the South African e-visa a single-entry or multiple-entry visa?
The South African e-visa can be issued as either a single-entry or multiple-entry visa, depending on the traveler's specific needs and circumstances.
Are there any specific requirements for business travelers from the UAE applying for a South African e-visa?
Business travelers from the UAE should provide documentation related to their business activities in South Africa and ensure they have the necessary visa type for their specific purpose.
Can UAE residents apply for a South African e-visa for family members?
Yes, UAE residents can apply for South African e-visas for their family members, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and sponsor the application.
What should I do if my South African e-visa application is denied?
If your South African e-visa application is denied, you may inquire about the reason for the denial and consider reapplying with additional documentation or addressing the issues raised in the initial application.
Can UAE I engage in volunteer work or charitable activities in South Africa with an e-visa?
Yes, you can. Volunteer work and charitable activities is on the list of “Purpose of visit” for the South Africa e visa.
Can I enter South Africa through all international airports and border crossings with an e-visa?
South African e-visa holders can typically enter South Africa through various international airports and border crossings. However, it's advisable to verify entry points and requirements before travel.
Related Articles

Morocco Visa From Dubai - How To Apply
Everything you need to know about the Morocco visa from Dubai is in this post. It covers the application process, costs, and much more!

Indonesia Visa - How To Apply For An E Visa
Need a visa for Indonesia? This post has everything you need to know about the Indonesia e visa. It includes costs, processing times, and much more.

Malaysia E Visa - Do I Need One?
Traveling to Malaysia? Then this is the perfect post for you! Read about everything you need to know about the Malaysia e visa from Dubai.

Hong Kong Visa From Dubai - What You Need To Know
This post has everything you need to know about applying for your Hong Kong visa from Dubai. It includes the application process, processing time, and much more.

Jordan Visa For UAE Residents - Do I Need One?
This post covers everything you need to know about the Jordan visa for uae residents. It includes the application process, costs, and much more.