Byevisa is your one-stop shop for travel documentation, meaning that we can help you find out if you need a visa for South Africa from the UK. We can help you get ready for your trips by sharing the steps you need to take to get the right paperwork in order before you even leave the house.
Visiting South Africa is destined to be a holiday that you will never forget. Imagine standing at the top of Table Mountain or enjoying the city looking around Johannesburg. You may even be lucky enough to go on safari when you are there!
Whatever you are looking forward to the most, it is important to get the right travel documentation in place. There can be lots of conflicting information online, and so we have put together the most up-to-date information so that you know what is required before you jet off.
When you use the information we provide as your starting point, then you are sure to have the right South Africa visa for UK citizens ready for your holiday.
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Do I Need A Visa for South Africa From the UK?
Many people ask us ‘Do I need a visa to visit South Africa from the UK as a tourist?’. The good news is that as long as you are planning on staying in the country for less than 90 days, then you do not need to obtain a visa.
This means that you can enjoy visiting all the places you have dreamed of without the pressure of completing a travel authorisation application.
South Africa Visa Requirements for UK Citizens
Despite not needing a visa to enter the country, you need to adhere to the following requirements in order to gain entry when you arrive:
- You must hold an ordinary British passport that has a minimum of 1 month’s validity from the date of exit from the country.
- You must have 2 blank pages in your passport.
- You must provide proof that you can afford your trip. This can be in the form of 3 months’ bank statements, 3 months’ wage slips and your travellers’ cheques. The current amount for one month’s stay is £600 per traveller.
- You must show proof of onward travel.
- You must have proof of your reason for visiting and the expected duration of your visit.
If you want to extend your visit past the 90 days permitted, then you can apply for a further 90 days as long as you submit your application 30 days before you plan on leaving the country. However, this extension is not guaranteed.
South Africa Visa Fees – UK Citizens
As you do not need a visa to enter the country, there is also no cost for you to pay when you want to enter. You will, however, need to prove you have enough money to cover your stay to be permitted entry to the country.
Your Questions Answered
If you are planning to head on holiday, then we hope that our information about South Africa tourist visas for UK passport holders has helped to put your mind at ease. To help you further, we have listed the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions below. We hope that they help you to plan your time in this amazing country.
Do I Need a South Africa Transit Visa from the UK?
If you are transiting through the country from the UK, then you do not need to apply for a transit visa as long as you remain in the airport between your flights. If you want to leave the airport at any time, then you need to provide all the required documents listed above to be granted permission to enter.
Do Minors Need a Visa to Travel?
If you are travelling with a minor, you are required to provide a copy of the birth certificate and a certified letter from their parents giving them permission to travel (if you are not their parent). Each child also needs a passport or to be registered on the passport of the parent they are travelling with.
If you are organising the paperwork for a minor who is travelling alone, then you need to file additional paperwork that includes a birth certificate, consent letters from the child’s parent, a confirmation letter from the person that is caring for the child in the county and a valid passport.
Do I Need a Visa to Work in This Country?
If you want to work in South Africa, then you have to apply for a work visa. The specific visa you need to apply for depends on the type of work you will be undertaking when you are in the country.
These applications have to be made directly to the embassy, and you need to attend a visa application centre in the UK after you have completed your application online and paid.
Might I Be Refused Entry If My Passport Has Less Than 6 Months’ Validity?
While the regulations state that your passport needs to only have 30 days validity from the date of exit, many immigration officials will insist that you have at least 6 months’ validity. To avoid this becoming a problem, we recommend that you ensure your passport has 6 months’ validity from your date of exit as well as the required 2 blank pages.
Will I Have My Biometric Data Taken When I Arrive?
Yes, it is routine that you need to have your biometric data (such as scanned fingerprints or a photo) taken on arrival. This is the case for all ports of entry, and your entire party must have this data taken to be permitted entry.
More Information on Travelling to South Africa
If you require any more information on travelling to this country, then check out our main South Africa eVisa page. You can find out more about travelling and the steps you have to take to enjoy a stress-free experience. You can also read our Visiting South Africa section too.
