Visitor Visas - South Africa

South Africa is arguably one of the most beautiful countries in the world and its streets are filled with its history. The country is surrounded by tumbling hills and picturesque landscape and mountain tops covered with snow. Yes snow does exist in Africa. The Drakensberg Mountains (Dragons Mountain) is the highest peak in Southern Africa. This countries vast landscape is also an untapped enigma of wildlife wonders and experience. The animal life varies from the big five to antelope and crocodiles.

In South Africa, several visa services are available for those who wish to enter the country for a short-term visit. Whilst tourism and private visits are covered by South African visitor permits, the more specialist medical visit visa and extended visitor permit are also available.

Visitor Permit - South Africa

The South African visit permit often referred to as a tourist visa or travel visa allows foreign nationals to enter the country for a period of up to 90 days. This type of short-term visa is a non-immigrant temporary residence permit and does not allow its holder to work in South Africa.

Visa Benefits

There are benefits in obtaining a short term visa and that is the requirements on the part of the applicant are minimal. Unlike longer term South African visas a visit visa allows its holder to visit South Africa for up 90 days, which may in some circumstance be extended by a further 90 days, without any such criteria. There is however a basic requirement for applicants is that they have to show that they can financially support themselves in the country and that they have no criminal record and importantly they have to prove that they will leave the country on or before the expiry of their visa. Where a visa for tourism is extended, applicants must be in possession of return travel tickets.

Extended Visitor Visa

The extended visitor visa for South Africa is also a temporary resident permit and like a standard visitor permit, it cannot be used as a route to permanent residency in the country. The extension visa awards its holders up to three years and it is generally designed for those relocating to South Africa in order to conduct research, charity work, or study. The criteria for this type of visa are very strict and a substantial amount of authentic documentation will be necessary as part of the application. This visa allows its holder to study in South Africa but does not permit its holder to work in South Africa. Those wishing to live and work in South Africa for the duration of their extended visitor visa will need to apply for a South African work permit as well.

South African Transit Visa

Like many countries, South Africa, visas offers transit visas for those who will transit through the country en route to another final destination within 72 hours. If an applicant applies for this visa they have to prove that they have onward travel documentation and the visa is intended for people who have to stop in South Africa as part of a longer journey.

Medical Permit - South Africa

Medical Permits are very popular in India and East Europe and South Africa has recently joined the many countries who offer medical tourism. The medical visa allows its holders to enter South Africa to undergo medical treatment at either a private or public hospital or bona fide medical institution. Medical visas can also include rehabilitation clinics, residential homes, and health farms.

Medical Visa Eligibility

South African medical visas are valid for up to 90 days and all applications are obliged to include a letter from the medical institution detailing the condition, the treatment which will be given, the consultant who will be treating the case and the likely time that treatment will take.

In certain circumstances the South African immigration and visa authorities may waive the need for a visa where emergency medical attention is required. In South Africa after the treatment has taken place an immigration officer will visit the patient to ensure that the appropriate visa is issued for the necessary length of stay. In these circumstances, the person in charge of the emergency vehicle is responsible for reporting the presence of the foreign national in South Africa.

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