A South Africa visa extension allows you to extend your stay in South Africa by renewing your existing visa. An extension of a visa requires an entirely new application. Additionally, you must also provide a list of required documents and pay a required fee to obtain a visa extension.
Can I Extend My Visa in South Africa?
Yes, you can extend your visa to South Africa. Short-term visas that can be extended include:
- Visit and business visas with no visa conditions, and
- Short-term work permit.
Long-term visas that can be extended include:
- Business visa.
- Critical skills visa.
- General work visa.
- Life partner visa.
- Relatives visa.
- Research visa.
- Retired persons’ visa.
- Spousal visa.
- Student visa.
Visas that may not be extended are:
- Corporate visa.
- Tourist visa with specific conditions that do not allow for extension.
- Intra-company transfer work visa.
- Exchange visa for young individuals participating in cultural, economic, or social exchange programs.
Note: Regarding the most recent updates for South Africa, the Department of Home Affairs is not currently accepting visa extensions, so for now, you will have to apply for a new visa.
Can a Visitor’s Visa be Extended?
A visitor’s visa can be extended depending on the condition of the visa. The Department of Home Affairs can either approve or turn down your application. Therefore, a written explanation must be provided as to the reason for the extended stay.
Regarding the extension duration, the Department of Home Affairs will decide how many extra days you are allowed to stay.
Where to Extend the Visa While in South Africa?
Foreign nationals seeking an extension of their South African visa should apply at the South African Department of Home Affairs. You must submit your request in person, as you can apply for an extension only while in South Africa.
Alternatively, visitors can hire a registered immigration practitioner. In most cases, these agencies charge a fee for their services.
Below you can find the nearest VFS offices:
| Durban | 4 Linden Road, Essenwood Durban |
| Cape Town | 7th Floor, 2 Long Street,
two on Long Building, Cape Town, 8001 |
| Port Elizabeth | Office 7C, 1st Floor Moffet
on Main, Cnr 17th Ave and Main Road, Walmer, Port Elizabeth, 6070 |
| Johannesburg | 1st Floor Rivonia Village,
Cnr Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road, Sandton |
| Pretoria | Cherry Lane Office Park, 1st
Floor, 114 Fehrsen Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, 0181 |
| Rustenburg | Inner Arcade Shopping Centre
Shop no 2, c\o Fatima Bhayat and Boom Street |
| Kimberley | Unit 3, Building 2, Agri
Office Park, N12, Kimberley |
| Polokwane | Shop 13, Thornhill Shopping
Centre, C/O Veldspaat & Munnik Ave, Bendor Park |
| Nelspruit | 5th floor, office 5F,
Nedbank Building, 30 Brown street |
| George | Unit 5, Royal Eagle, 5
Progress Street |
| Bloemfontein | Suite 4, the Park, 14 Reid
Street, Westdene |
What Documents Are Required to Extend the Visa?
The documents you need when applying for a South Africa visa extension include the following:
- A completed application form 10 (DHA-1739). You should fill out (in black ink only) the form entirely without leaving any answers unanswered.
- A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended exit date from South Africa and must have at least two blank pages.
- A statement or documentation detailing the purpose and duration of the visit.
- Proof of a valid return or onward ticket. If you don’t have proof of the purchased ticket, you can submit proof of sufficient financial means to purchase such a ticket or facilitate the applicant’s return.
- Proof of accommodation. You have to prove you have a place to stay in South Africa. You can have a hotel booking, rental agreement, or lease that contains your name, the duration of your stay, and the details of the accommodation place.
- Proof of sufficient means. You can prove that you can support yourself financially during your extended stay in South Africa by submitting one of the following:
- Bank statements.
- Salary advances.
- Undertakings by the host in South Africa.
- Bursary.
- Medical cover or
- Cash available (including credit cards and travelers’ cheques).
Additional Documents for a South Africa Visa Extension
Depending on the type of visa you want to extend, you will have to submit additional documents.
Study Visa
To extend a South African study visa, you must submit the following additional documents:
- An official letter from the Registrar or Principal of the learning institution confirming that the applicant is required to extend his or her period of study and the duration of such study.
- Proof of medical cover with a medical scheme registered in terms of the Medical Schemes Act.
Treaty Visa
For a treaty visa, you must submit the following documents:
- A declaration in writing from the appropriate state organ that is a signatory to the treaty.
- A written statement by the sending or receiving state that it accepts responsibility for the costs associated with deporting the applicant and his or her dependent family members (if necessary).
Business Visa
If you want to extend a business visa, you must also include the following:
- A document signed by a professional accountant who is a member of the South African Institute of Professional Accountants or a chartered accountant who is registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.
Medical Treatment Visa
To extend a South African medical visa, you need:
- A letter from his or her registered medical practitioner or medical institution within South Africa.
- Details and confirmation from the person or the institution covering medical expenses and hospital fees.
Work Visa
For a work visa extension, you must also provide the following:
- A written statement from the employer accepting responsibility for the expenses associated with the applicant’s and his or her dependent family members’ deportation (if necessary).
- A certificate from the Department of Labour.
Relative’s Visa
You will need the additional documents for a relative’s visa extension:
- Proof of relationship with the relatives.
- Proof of financial assurance per month, per person.
- Police clearance.
How Long Before My Visa Expires Should I Apply for an Extension?
You can apply for a South Africa extension only once and 60 days before your visa expires if you were granted a 90-day visa. On the other hand, if you were granted a 30-day visa, you should apply seven days before the expiry of your visa.
How Long Does It Take To Get an Extension?
The processing time for a visa extension is between 30 to 40 days. You have to keep in mind that sometimes processing times can be longer depending on the workload of the office that receives your application for an extension.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an Extension?
South Africa visa extension fees include the following:
| Type of visa | Fee in South African Rand | Fee in USD |
| Visitor’s visa | 425 | (Approx.) 24 |
| General work visa | 1520 | (Approx.) 88 |
| Treaty visa | 425 | (Approx.) 24 |
| Medical application renewal | 425 | (Approx.) 24 |
| Study application | 425 | (Approx.) 24 |
| Retired person’s application | 425 | (Approx.) 24 |
| Business application | 1520 | (Approx.) 88 |
| Family (Relative) visa | 425 | (Approx.) 24 |
The fees are non-refundable once your application is handed over to Home Affairs.
What Happens if I Overstay My Visa in South Africa?
If you overstay your visa in South Africa, you will be punished depending on the period of your visa expiry:
- If the overstaying duration is less than 30 days, then you will be banned for 12 months.
- If the overstaying duration is more than 30 days, then you will be banned for not less than 5 years.
In addition, if an immigration officer finds that your visa has expired, then you will be charged a fine of R2500 to R3000 (around USD 115 to USD 170) by the Home Affairs Department.
However, under two conditions, you might stay in South Africa after your visa expires:
- After paying the fine.
- After submitting an appeal.
Some factors that may influence your appeal’s positive income include:
- Visiting a spouse, a child, parents, or a dependent minor or relative in South Africa.
- A pending application for temporary or permanent residency.
- Employment contract.
- Studies.
- Medical conditions.
Can I Extend My Stay in South Africa If I Am From a Visa-Free Country?
Nationals coming from visa-free countries who wish to stay longer than the 90-day or 30-day period will have to apply for a visa or a residence permit. However, you must make sure you apply for your visa before your 90 days in the country are over; otherwise, you must leave the country.