How soon do you need your South Africa Volunteer Visa for U.S. Citizens?

What steps are involved in getting my South Africa Volunteer Visa from TDS?

Apply Online

Apply Online

Order Form

Gather Documents

Gather Documents

About Requirements

Ship Your Documents

Ship Documents

About Shipping

Get your travel visa

Get your Travel Visa!

Register with STEP

Document Requirements

These requirements are applicable for US Citizens applying for a South Africa Volunteer visa in Washington DC

A personal appearance is now required by the South Embassy or Consulates to apply for a volunteer visa to South Africa.
In the past Traveldocs could assist clients in applying for a visa to South Africa due to this change in procedures traveldocs can no longer assist.
The information below is purely for reference use the information can and will change without prior notice.
Please contact the closest South African Embassy or Consulate to schedule your required personal appearance and interview.

Please send TDS your current valid and signed passport. It must not expire within 30 days beyond intended stay and must have at least two blank visa pages. Foreign Embassies cannot issue a visa on a page not labeled as a Visa page. Amendment and Endorsement pages in the back of the passport cannot be used for issuance of a visa.
A visa cannot be stamped on a page even if only one Small Stamp is on the visa page. If your passport is not valid 30 days beyond your intended stay, you must renew your passport and then we will secure your visa with the new passport.

 

Please send 2 recent professional passport-type photographs.
Digital and non-passport photographs are not acceptable.
Passport Photo Guide - Click Here

 

 

TravelDocs DIY Digital Photo Service

The Government of South Africa has extremely strict visa photo requirements — do not allow your visa application to be delayed due to an incorrectly formatted visa photo.

Use the TravelDocs digital visa photo service, snap a selfie using your camera, cell phone or tablet, and we will return a perfectly formatted visa photo by email within 1 business day.

100% Accurate • Convenient • Unbeatable Price

Get it right the first time. Get it done right now.

Only $15 - Order Now!

Please send a copy of your round trip airline tickets, or itinerary or e-ticket, or letter of confirmation from a travel agent. The itinerary must show the applicant's name, date of arrival and departure from the country, and flight information. The Embassy does not recommend purchasing your ticket prior to a visa being issued.

 

 

Proof of sufficient means in the form of a bank statement for own maintenance. It is advisable to erase account numbers.

 

 

Copy of hotel confirmations(s) for the duration of the intended stay in South Africa.

 

 

A letter from the U.S Organization taking financial responsibility, and undertaking to return applicant upon completion of assignment if applicant is sent by Church Organization/Mission. This letter should also specify purpose and duration of stay in South Africa.

 

 

Letter of Invitation from the host South African Company/Organization stating purpose and duration of stay.

 

 

FBI certificate (full criminal background check report) and police clearance from all countries applicant lived in since age 18 for one year or longer.

 

 

One Medical Report (physical) is required.

One Radiological report (chest X-ray) is required.

 

 

Proof of Health Coverage while in South Africa is required.

 

 

A $1500.00 money order for Repatriation Deposit lodged in a case an applicant travels on a one way ticket .

 

 

All applicants age 18 and under must hold an unabridged full birth certificate or a certified copy.
If the minor is entering with one parent then the minor must also present an affidavit from the absent parent stating consent to travel or a court order stating full parental right to the accompany parent or a death certificate in case the other parent is deceased.
If the minor is traveling with an adult other than the minors parent(s) then the minor must also present an affidavit from the parents/legal guardians stating consent to travel, copies of identification documents of the parents/legal guardians and contacy details of the parents/legal guardians. All documents should be carried be the minor when entering South Africa.
Unaccompanied minors should contact the South African consulate for full details.

Please Send One Completed and Signed Application Form.

 

Save valueable time and money with Document Pre-Check!

The South Africa visa is usually valid for a single entry within 3 months from date of issue provided the passport remains valid. The length of stay is determined at the airport on arrival.
A notarized consent letter from both parents is necessary to authorize the South African Consulate to grant the required visa to a child, in the case of a minor (under 18 years of age).
Visitors to South Africa traveling to neighboring states such as Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, or Zimbabwe must ensure they are in possession of visas valid for those countries, if required. If they intend returning to South Africa, visas for the RSA valid for more than one entry is required for which an itinerary and written request must be submitted with the application. The written request must be a separate letter.

 

Shipping Instructions

Please forward a printed copy of your order confirmation for a South Africa Volunteer visa for US Citizens and all required documents to:

Travel Document Systems, Inc.
1010 Wisconsin Ave NW
STE #845
Washington, DC 20007

Local Phone Number: 202-638-3800

Urgent applications for a South Africa Volunteer visa should be shipped to TDS using only the FedEx Company.

Please use FedEx Priority Overnight. Do NOT ship "First Overnight." This will delay the delivery of your package.

Once your order is complete, your Passport with the visa sticker/stamp will be returned to you via FedEx Overnight.

FedEx Return ShippingFedEx Logo
Continental USA Only Price
Next Business Day - up to 3 passports $36.00
Next Business Day - 4 or more passports $39.00
Saturday Delivery $41.00
Alaska, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, USVI Price
Next Day Letter (No Saturday Delivery) $39.00
International Price
Call for a quote. Call.

STEP Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

By connecting on the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, the US State Department will be able to assist you better in the case of an emergency, such as if you lose your passport or it is stolen while you are abroad.

Enroll Today