Visitor's visas

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A visitor’s visa may be issued for various activities to be conducted within South Africa and includes the following:

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• voluntary work

• research

• academic sabbatical

• teaching at an international school

• accompanying spouse or independent children

• in respect of films and advertisements produced in South Africa, including, but not limited to, an actor, cameraman, hairstylist, make-up artist or lighting and sound engineer

• a foreign journalist seconded to the Republic by a foreign news agency

• a visiting professor or lecturer or an academic researcher

• an artist who wishes to write, paint or sculpt

• a person involved in the entertainment industry, travelling through the Republic to perform

• a tour leader or host of such a tour

• a foreigner who is required to stay in the Republic in order to testify as a state witness in a criminal court case: Provided that in such a matter, the application shall be initiated by the relevant Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions

• work authorization for spouses or life partners of South African citizens or permanent resident holders.

 

A visitor’s visa may be issued for a period of three (3) years.

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If you are the spouse or a child of the holder of a business or general work visa, you may apply for change of status from a visitor’s visa to study or work from within South Africa.