South Africa Visa

When you need to get your South Africa travel visa processed quickly, Travel Document Systems is here to help. All of the South Africa visa requirements and application forms, plus convenient online ordering.

Get a Tourist Visa for South Africa

South Africa issues Tourist visas for:
  • Tourist Travel

South Africa Tourist Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a U.S. Passport, a Tourist Visa is not required.

No visa required for a stay of up to 3 Months

Check travel recommendations

South Africa Tourist Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a Non-US Passport, a Tourist Visa is required.

Get My Tourist Visa

Get a Business Visa for South Africa

South Africa issues Business visas for:
  • Business Travel

South Africa Business Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a U.S. Passport, a Business Visa is not required.

No visa required for a stay of up to 3 Months

Check travel recommendations

South Africa Business Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a Non-US Passport, a Business Visa is required.

Get My Business Visa

Get a Student Visa for South Africa

South Africa issues Student visas for:
  • Study Visa
  • •
  • Student Visa

South Africa Student Visa for US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a U.S. Passport, a Student Visa is required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

Check travel recommendations

South Africa Student Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a Non-US Passport, a Student Visa is required.

Get My Student Visa

Get a Diplomatic/Official Visa for South Africa

South Africa issues Diplomatic/Official visas for:
  • Official and Diplomatic Government Travel

South Africa Diplomatic/Official Visa for US Passport Holders Not Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a U.S. Passport, a Diplomatic/Official Visa is not required.

No visa required for a stay of up to 90 Days

Check travel recommendations

South Africa Diplomatic/Official Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a Non-US Passport, a Diplomatic/Official Visa is required.

TDS is unable to assist at this time.

Please contact embassy directly.

Get a Volunteer Visa for South Africa

South Africa Volunteer Visa for US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a U.S. Passport, a Volunteer Visa is required.

Get My Volunteer Visa

South Africa Volunteer Visa for Non-US Passport Holders Required

When you are travelling to South Africa with a Non-US Passport, a Volunteer Visa is required.

Get My Volunteer Visa

Travel Information

Get the most up-to-date information for South Africa related to South Africa travel visas, South Africa visa requirements and applications, embassy and consulate addresses, foreign relations information, travel advisories, entry and exit restrictions, and travel tips from the US State Department's website.

Vaccinations

Vaccination Certificate for Yellow Fever Required if arriving from an infected area within 5 Days.

Get more health information for travelers to South Africa:

About South Africa

Read about the people, history, government, economy and geography of South Africa at the CIA's World FactBook.

A Brief History of South Africa

Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of modern day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the Dutch settlers (the Boers) trekked north to found their own republics. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration and intensified the subjugation of the native inhabitants. The Boers resisted British encroachments but were defeated in the Boer War (1899-1902); however, the British and the Afrikaners, as the Boers became known, ruled together beginning in 1910 under the Union of South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 after a whites-only referendum. In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid - the separate development of the races - which favored the white minority at the expense of the black majority. The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson Mandela, spent decades in South Africa's prisons. Internal protests and insurgency, as well as boycotts by some Western nations and institutions, led to the regime's eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule. The first multi-racial elections in 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in majority rule under an ANC-led government. South Africa since then has struggled to address apartheid-era imbalances in decent housing, education, and health care. ANC infighting, which has grown in recent years, came to a head in September 2008 when President Thabo MBEKI resigned, and Kgalema MOTLANTHE, the party's General-Secretary, succeeded him as interim president. Jacob Zuma became president after the ANC won general elections in April 2009.

Learn more about South Africa in our World Atlas