Every year, millions of people travel to various destinations. Most flights cannot be completed in one trip since they must stop somewhere along the way. Hence, transit visas are issued by most countries to help travelers who are only moving through their country for a couple of hours before continuing on their journey. South Africa is also one of those countries that issues transit visas.
How Does the South Africa Transit Visa Work?
A South Africa transit visa is a permit that allows you to stay there for a while and then continue to your true destination, one of South Africa’s neighboring countries. Even though you will not leave the airport, you still need permission to stay in the terminal during the layover.
Travelers using land ports of entry to transit through South Africa will have to apply for a port of entry visa.
Who Needs a South Africa Transit Visa?
Foreigners who pass through South Africa en route to its neighboring countries must apply for a South Africa transit visa. The neighboring countries are Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe.
However, if you are a national from one of the visa-exempt countries , you are not required to apply for a visa.
Furthermore, if you are transiting through one of the following international airports, you will not be required to apply for a transit visa, but you need to provide your biometrics directly at the airport:
- OR Tambo International.
- Cape Town International.
- King Shaka.
- Lanseria (Johannesburg).
Note: The exemption when transiting through the mentioned airports does not apply to deportees.
How to Apply for a South Africa Transit Visa?
If you want to get a South Africa transit visa, you need to complete these steps:
- Find out if you are eligible for a South Africa transit visa. You qualify for a South Africa transit visa if you pass through South Africa en route to its neighboring countries and are a national of the countries required to apply for a South Africa visa.
- Complete the visa application form. The visa application form for a transit visa is Form BI-84, which you can find online. When completing it, ensure you answer all the questions in black ink.
- Complete the document checklist. You must have all the documents required for your transit visa application because the decision for your visa application depends on them. You can find a list of the required documents below.
- Complete the required fee payment. You will have to pay an application fee to have your visa processed. You can do it through an electronic bank transfer or cash, where you submit your application.
- Go to the nearest South African embassy, consulate, or visa application center. You must apply in person at the nearest South African embassy, consulate, or visa application center. In some countries, you may not be required to make an appointment for a transit visa, but most of the time, a prior appointment is required. So, please make sure you check carefully with the corresponding embassy. Keep in mind that It is recommended to apply no later than 15 working days in advance.
- Wait for a decision. You will have to wait a few working days to know whether your application has been approved. After the confirmation, you can go and take your visa.
What Documents Are Required When Applying for a South Africa Transit Visa?
You must submit some necessary documents when applying for a South Africa transit visa— those documents include the following:
- Visa Application Form BI-84. Download the application form by following the link, answer all the questions truthfully in black ink, and sign it out.
- A valid passport + a copy. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended exit date from South Africa, and it must have at least two blank pages. Make sure to include a certified/notarized copy of the bio page of your passport.
- Two recent passport-sized photographs. Submit two identity photos with a dimension of 3.5cm x 4.5cm. They should be without borders, have a white background only, and have a close-up of your head and the top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70-80% of the photograph. Furthermore, they must be no older than one month and scanned.
- A return or onward ticket. The ticket must show the dates when you entered South Africa and the ones leaving for another country.
- A yellow vaccination card (if applicable). It is required in all the yellow-fever-risk countries. The World Health Organization must approve the certificate and be issued ten days before your application.
- Proof of relationship to dependents. If you have other family members accompanying you, you need to provide the following additional documents:
- Proof of guardianship or custody, or
- Consent from the guardian in the case of an unaccompanied minor.
- A written statement provided by the Government of the host country. This is required when deportees are transported. The written statement must confirm that the host country will remain responsible for the deportee(s) and receive the deportee in their country of origin should it become necessary. Supporting documents pertaining to escort must also be provided.
- Payment of the visa fee.
- A letter from the organization under whose control the activity or event will take place if the application is for the attendance of an activity or event.
- A statement or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit.
Note: Your documents must be in English and notarized.
How Long Can You Stay With a South Africa Transit Visa?
You can stay for three days or less with a South Africa transit visa, but this depends on the type of transit as follows:
- In the case of air transit, the visa is issued for a period not exceeding 24 hours; and
- In the case of land transit, the visa is issued for a period not exceeding 48 hours.
How Long Does It Take for a South Africa Transit Visa to Process?
The usual time for a South Africa transit visa to process is five working days. However, this period could be prolonged to ten working days during peak season.
How Much Does a South Africa Transit Visa Cost?
You will have to pay an application fee to get a South Africa transit visa. The application fee is R425 (approx. USD 24). After paying it, save the receipt because you must submit it to the authorities.