Africa
South Africa visa
Cape TownEmiratis can visit South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa, but most other UAE residents, including Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and Egyptian nationals, need a visitor's visa. Where you apply depends on the emirate that issued your residence: VFS Global in Wafi Mall, Dubai, for Dubai and the northern emirates, or the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Processing takes at least six working days, and you can apply no earlier than one month before you travel. South Africa's new ETA covers only some passports so far, Indian among them, and at launch was valid only for arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town and Lanseria, so we check which route your passport and flights allow before anything is booked.
- Starting price
- From AED 535
- Typical processing
- At least 6 working days
- Typical validity
- Usually up to 90 days, set on the visa
The price is for the simplest visa type. Embassy and visa centre fees are included.
Indicative only — actual processing time and validity are set by the issuing government and depend on your nationality, residency and travel history.
How the process works
Free eligibility check
We confirm which visa applies to your nationality and residency.
Document preparation
Your file is reviewed and corrected before anything is submitted.
Appointment & submission
We book the appointment where one is needed and guide you through biometrics.
Tracking & collection
We track the application and hand back your passport.
Documents you'll usually need
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages
- UAE residence visa copy (valid at least 3 months)
- Emirates ID copy (front and back)
- Recent passport-size photo to the required specification
- Bank statements for the last 3-6 months
- Employment contract or NOC letter from your employer
- Confirmed flight and hotel reservations
- Travel medical insurance for the trip duration
Requirements vary. South Africa may ask for additional documents depending on your nationality and purpose of travel. Send us your details and we'll confirm the exact list before you start.
Apply for your South Africa visa
Start in a minute. Our visa desk confirms the visa type, the documents and the price before anything is submitted or paid.
Places to see in South Africa
Camps Bay in Cape Town, backed by the peaks of the Twelve Apostles. African penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, a protected colony near Cape Town. Elephants in Kruger National Park, one of Africa's largest game reserves. The painted houses of Bo-Kaap, Cape Town's historic Cape Malay quarter. Hout Bay from Chapman's Peak Drive, a coastal road cut into the cliffs.
Common questions about South Africa visas
What should I know before applying for a South Africa visa from the UAE?
Emiratis can visit South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa, but most other UAE residents, including Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and Egyptian nationals, need a visitor's visa. Where you apply depends on the emirate that issued your residence: VFS Global in Wafi Mall, Dubai, for Dubai and the northern emirates, or the South African Embassy in Abu Dhabi for Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Processing takes at least six working days, and you can apply no earlier than one month before you travel. South Africa's new ETA covers only some passports so far, Indian among them, and at launch was valid only for arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town and Lanseria, so we check which route your passport and flights allow before anything is booked.
How long does a South Africa visa take to process?
At least 6 working days. That figure is indicative: the issuing government sets the actual processing time, and it varies with your nationality, the visa type and how busy the season is. We track the application through to collection and tell you where it stands.
How long is a South Africa visa valid for?
Usually up to 90 days, set on the visa. Validity is decided by the issuing government and depends on the visa type you are granted, so it is confirmed on the visa itself rather than at application.
What documents do I need for a South Africa visa from the UAE?
Most South Africa applications from the UAE need: Passport valid for at least 6 months with blank pages; UAE residence visa copy (valid at least 3 months); Emirates ID copy (front and back); Recent passport-size photo to the required specification; Bank statements for the last 3-6 months; Employment contract or NOC letter from your employer; Confirmed flight and hotel reservations; Travel medical insurance for the trip duration. Requirements vary: South Africa may ask for additional documents depending on your nationality and purpose of travel, so we confirm the exact list for your case before you start.
How much does a South Africa visa cost from the UAE?
Our price for a South Africa visa starts from AED 535, for the simplest visa type. Embassy and visa centre fees are included. The exact figure depends on the visa type, your nationality and the processing speed you choose, so we confirm it once we know your residency and travel dates, before anything is submitted.
Guides for South Africa
Written by our visa desk in Dubai, and kept current.
- South Africa visa from DubaiEmiratis visit South Africa visa-free for 90 days; most expat residents apply at VFS in Wafi Mall or, with an Abu Dhabi residence visa, at the embassy.Read the guide
- What your UAE residence actually unlocksWhere your residence permit opens doors, and where only your passport counts.Read the guide
