IMPORTANT / IN-PERSON APPLICATION
VISA CATEGORY INFORMATION
VISA VALIDITY
APPOINTMENT REQUIREMENT (IN-PERSON)
Please note that the South Africa (VFSGlobal) Visa Application Centre only accepts visa applications via an appointment system. YOU MUST ATTEND THE APPOINTMENT IN-PERSON YOURSELF TO FILE THE APPLICATION (see also below biometric enrolment requirement).
BIOMETRIC ENROLMENT
CONSULAR FEES PAYMENT
You must also make payment of the consular fees yourself (see processing times section below for full pricing structure).
RETURN DELIVERY
If you cannot attend the centre to collect your passport in person, you can send a nominated person to collect on your behalf. This person must bring the original or a copy of the receipt, and a letter of authorization signed by yourself and authorising the named person to collect your passport. The nominated person should also carry their own identification.
Alternatively, applicants unable to collect their passports within the given time slots, always can opt for Courier Service, whereby passports are returned via Courier Delivery DX at an additional fee of £14.95 per envelope/passport (see below).
APART FROM LONDON, THE COURIER SERVICE FOR THE RETURN OF YOUR PASSPORT IS MANDATORY. YOU CANNOT COLLECT IN-PERSON YOUR ENDORSED PASSPORT FROM THE SOUTH AFRICA (VFSGLOBAL) VISA APPLICATION CENTRES IN EDINBURGH AND MANCHESTER.
COURIER SERVICE:
EMBASSY INFORMATION
South Africa Visa Application Centre
66 Wilson Street
London
EC2A 2BT
Tel: 09057650123
Email: info.sauk@vfshelpline.com
Website: https://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/uk/index.html
OTHER LOCATIONS (EDINBURGH AND MANCHESTER): https://www.vfsglobal.com/southafrica/uk/contact_us.html
EMBASSY DISCLAIMER
NEXT STEPS
Global Visas can assist with arranging the appointment, reviewing your documents and provide guidance on what to expect, before the scheduled date / time. This will ensure upon presentation of your documents to the visa officer at the South Africa (VFSGlobal) Visa Application Centre in London, there are no errors (which can lead to additional complications / further requests and ultimately, delays in processing).
Review document list below, select visa type (see 'PROCESSING TIMES / FEES' below) and complete request form / payment, if you wish to use our REVIEW ONLY SERVICE.
Prepare documentation and REVIEW APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY. Please do be mindful of originals, and again if you wish to use our review only service, provide our team sufficient time for step 3 below.
Access the DRAG N’ DROP email (supported by Dropbox Inc.), where you can securely upload scans of all documentation for our review. This additional email will be sent to you within 1 – 2 business hours of completing the request form. You may also find further information on the DRAG N’ DROP process via the menu above. YOU MUST ALLOW OUR TEAM 1 WORKING DAY TO COMPLETE THE REVIEW PROCESS.
Only once your documents have been reviewed, must you attend your appointment at the scheduled date and time with all originals, to submit your application IN-PERSON to the relevant Consulate / Embassy.
SOUTH AFRICA SECTION 11 (2) VISA REQUIREMENTS
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DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
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FOR DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
FOR DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Original passport. This must:
- be valid for more than 1 month beyond the validity of the requested visa
- have at least three blank visa pages
- be signed and issued less than 10 years ago
Two original recent 45mm x 35mm colour photographs. These must:
- be taken within the last month
- be taken against a plain light background and printed on photographic paper
- show full frontal face, have a neutral expression and your mouth closed
- have eyes open and free from reflection or glare from glasses
- not have hair in front of face or have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
DO NOT ATTACH THE PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE APPLICATION FORM
Signed, dated and fully completed original application form. Please see attached: South Africa – Visa Application Form.
Business support letters from the prospective employer in South Africa and/or United Kingdom confirming the following:
- Addressed to the “South African High Commission in London”
- Letters need to be on company headed paper and dated within the last month
- Letters need to be signed by authorised company signatories
- Purpose or necessity of the work
- Nature of the work
- Qualification and skills required for the work
- Duration of the work
- Place of work
- Dates of travel to South Africa
- Proof of remuneration or stipend that the foreigner will receive from the employer
- Identity and contact details of the prospective employer or relevant contact person from the host institution
Please do contact us if you require assistance in drafting the support letters.
A CLEAR COLOUR COPY IS ACCEPTABLE FROM THE EMPLOYER IN SOUTH AFRICA HOWEVER YOU MUST PROVIDE AN ORIGINAL FROM THE UK ORGANISATION.
Clear colour copy of your detailed CV / Resume, with full information on your employment history, industry skills / expertise and recognised qualifications.
Clear colour copy of valid flight booking / travel itinerary mentioning:
- applicant’s name
- travel dates to South Africa
This must show a round-trip or onward travel. If the latter, the traveller must also provide all documentation / immigration approvals (if applicable) for the onward travel.
THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE CONFIRMED AND MAY BE A TENTATIVE BOOKING.
Clear colour copy of CONFIRMED accommodation (hotel, apartment, hostel, etc) booking mentioning:
- applicant’s name
- dates of stay in South Africa
- accommodation address details
THIS MUST COVER THE WHOLE PERIOD OF STAY IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Clear original copies of your last 3 months bank statements, as a proof of sufficient funds. These must:
- show a sufficient amount per day of stay (at least £600.00 for the closing balance), to cover the expenses during your intended stay in South Africa and for the return to the UK
- clearly state your name and address
BANK STATEMENTS WHICH ARE DOWNLOADED FROM THE INTERNET MUST BE STAMPED/CERTIFIED BY THE BANK.
Clear colour copy of proof of address. One of the following documents:
- Water, Gas or Electricity Bill
- Council Tax Letter
- Bank Statements
The document must:
- clearly state your name and full UK address
- BE MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION
Valid proof of UK residence. This must be presented as your valid original UK residency visa in your passport / in the form of a valid original UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card.
This must be valid for at least one months beyond your requested visa validity.
RED FLAGS
Applicants travelling to or from any other country affected by Yellow Fever in a space of 14 days before arriving or after leaving South Africa must provide a valid Yellow Fever Certificate. This will be based on WHO’s periodical list of yellow fever countries.
Media / Film applicants must provide an additional letter of support from their home employer undertaking to provide proof of accommodation and sufficient financial means.
Please do contact us if you require further assistance with this requirement.
PROCESSING TIMES / FEES
All fees are charged per individual traveller. Please click here to see the Global Visas service fees pricing structure, for cancelled cases. Furthermore, the below quoted Global visas service fees are for REVIEW ONLY.
As a reminder, Consular fees will not be charged and payment must be made by the applicant directly to the Embassy / Consulate.
7 WORKING DAYS SERVICE*
Global visas service fees | £90.00 excl. VAT |
Consular fees: | £35.00 incl. VAT |
VFSGlobal appointment fees** | £40.00 excl. VAT |
Global visas service fees:
£90.00 excl. VAT
Consular fees:
£35.00 incl. VAT
VFSGlobal appointment fees** :
£40.00 incl. VAT
VISA TIPS
APPLICATION PREPARATION
DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS
DATA ACCURACY
APPLICATION TIMESCALE
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
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