South African Visa For British Citizens
A South African visa for British citizens is a difficult process. You need to apply at one of the South African High Commission offices and you will normally require two supporting documents. One is a bank statement and the other is an employment letter.
Is it possible for a British citizen to obtain a South African visa? Yes, South Africa is one of the 33 countries that has dual citizenship with the United Kingdom, and it is possible for a sectional South African citizenship to be obtained by a British citizen when certain criteria are met. It is also possible for ideal candidates who are South Africans and have never been British citizens to make up your mind.
If you are planning to move to South Africa to live and work here permanently, one of the first things you need to organize is your South African visa .
South African Visa For British Citizens
If you are a South African citizen and plan to travel to the UK, a visa is required. However, the visa application process can be challenging. To apply successfully, it is vital that you understand the requirements, documentation, forms and instructions.
The majority of foreign passport holders are required to obtain a South Africa visa to travel to the country. A South Africa visa for UK citizens is not required for short periods of stay, but British passport holders need a South African visa for longer visits and certain travel purposes
A South Africa eVisa system has now been launched for 14 countries. The South Africa electronic visa is available through a simple online application which will only take a few minutes to complete.
The electronic visa is being implemented in order to expedite the application process to allow foreign citizens easier access to South Africa, eliminating the need to apply at a consulate or embassy.
A South Africa electronic visa for UK citizens is not currently available, and it is not yet known if British nationals will be added to the eVisa program in the future. At present, British passport holders who need a South Africa visa need to submit an embassy application.
Do I Need a Visa for South Africa from the UK?
At present, citizens of 28 countries can enter South Africa visa-free for up to 30 days. Passport holders of an additional 48 nationalities can visit South Africa visa-free for tourism or business for a maximum 90-day stay, including citizens of the United Kingdom.
Although a South Africa visa for UK citizens is not required for stays up to 90 days, British travelers will be required to obtain one of the South Africa visa types for longer visits and purposes other than tourism or business.
British nationals who possess specific professional skills that are in demand in the country are able to apply for a South Africa critical skills visa for UK citizens. This is available for different periods depending on the type of work to be undertaken.
Those who wish to apply for a South African work visa for UK citizens can do so at the embassy in London, or through a Visa Facilitation Services Center in South Africa.
Those wishing to stay for longer than 90 days for tourism or business will also need to apply for a South African visa for UK citizens from an embassy or consulate.
South Africa Visa Requirements for British Citizens
The South Africa visa requirements for British citizens depend on the type of visa the individual needs.
In most cases, they will require:
- A valid UK passport
- Completed application form for the relevant visa type
- Payment method to pay the visa fee
- Proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay in South Africa
Additional documents will be requested depending on the type of South Africa visa from the UK the applicant requires. These may include:
- Proof of medical insurance cover
- Letter of invitation from an educational institute (study visas)
- Police clearance certificate (study or work visas)
- Certificate from the Department of Labor (work visas)
If the South Africa eVisa becomes available for UK citizens, this page will be updated with the requirements for the electronic visa.
How to Apply for South Africa Visa from the UK
As stated above, a South African eVisa for UK citizens is not currently available.
British nationals are not currently able to use an online application if they need a visa for South Africa. Instead, they must use the traditional embassy application method and need to:
- Make an appointment at the nearest South African embassy or consulate
- Complete a visa application
- Gather the supporting documents required for the type of visa
- Attend an in-person interview with the relevant documents
- Pay the visa fee to submit their application
Processing times for South African embassy visas can often be lengthy. Therefore, UK applicants are advised to begin the process of obtaining the visa far in advance of their intended date of arrival in South Africa.
Once the visa is approved, travelers will be able to visit the country using a copy of the South Africa Visa for UK citizens and their corresponding passport, which must be the same as that used for the application.
Depending on the type of visa issued, additional documentation may be requested at border entry points before the traveler is granted entry.
These may include proof of onward or return flights, or a certificate of vaccination if the traveler is arriving form a yellow fever country.
The South African Embassy in the UK
Although a South African tourist visa for UK citizens is not necessary for short stays, British nationals who require a travel document such as a work visa or a study visa will be required to apply at the South African embassy in London.
The South African Embassy in London
South Africa House,
Trafalgar Square, London,
WC2N 5DP
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7451 7299
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7839 5674
It’s important to remember that a South Africa visa from the UK is not required for stays under 90 days, whether for business or tourism purposes.