How to Apply for South African Visa for Nigerians and Get Approved

Do you seek to migrate to South Africa from Nigeria but really don’t know how to go about it? Then this article is for you.

A lot of people seek to travel to South Africa for various reasons; It could be for the visit of family and loved ones, for business, for schooling, or for tourism because South Africa is the leading home of tourist attractions in Africa.

However, whatever reasons you may be seeking to travel to South Africa, this article will guild and equip you with the necessary information you require to start processing your visa application and every other thing you may need to know to make your application process a success.

Before you apply for any visa, you must have a valid Nigerian Immigration passport with a validity of at least 30 days. You can easily apply for an immigration passport online or go to the nearest Immigration office in your state or city.

TYPES OF SOUTH AFRICAN VISA

There are different kinds of visas available for Nigerians, they include Official or Diplomatic Visas, Visitor’s or Tourist Visa, Study or Student Visa, etc. But these are categories of long-term and short-term visas. Also, the kind of visa you apply for depends on why you want to travel to South Africa. The visa types are quickly explained below.

• Visitors or Tourist Visa – The visiting visa is the type of visa you apply for if you intend to go on a short vacation to South Africa, like visiting your family and loved ones or for tourist attractions. It is valid for a short period of time, usually between 1 to 90 days.
• Working Visa – This type of visa is best suited for foreign nationals who intend to live and work in South Africa, usually with a validity of 3 months to 3 years, after which its holder can renew it again.
• Business Visa – This visa is ideal for people who intend to travel to South Africa for business purposes. The duration of such visas is usually dependent on the motivation of the applicant. its validity can range from 3 months to 5 years.
• Study or Student Visa – this is the type of visa that people who intend to study in South Africa can apply for. it’s meant for foreign students, and its validity can be between 4 to 5 years to cover the study duration.
• An official or Diplomatic Visa – This visa is for foreign ambassadors, government officials, and other international actors coming to South Africa for some official assignments. Its validity can last for as long as the official assignment lasts. Usually between 1 month to 3 years.

Now that you have become abreast of the types of South African visas available for you, let’s proceed with the visa requirements so you can begin to gather the required materials.

Visa Requirements

• A valid International Passport (ECOWAS passport)
• Two identical passport size (45mmx45mm) photographs on white background showing your complete face.
• Application Form (BI84) fully completed in black ink only
• Copy of passport data page as well as copies of existing visa and previously issued visas.
• Self-introduction letter with a physical address and phone number.
• Introduction/Recommendation letter from an Employer
• Verifiable hotel reservations/bookings
• Copy of international vaccination card (yellow fever card)
• Proof of financial status (six months recent bank statement) or financial support letter from employer with six months bank statement in a case where the Employer is sponsoring the trip.
• Applicants traveling on official business should attach a letter of invitation/confirmation of training/conference, etc. from a South African Company with full details of the Company’s Authorised representative; physical address and phone number (landline number compulsory).
• Birth Certificate for Minors/Children traveling with parents. Where applicable, a consent letter with copies of the parent’s identification card/passport data page, which should be attached to the application.
• Marriage Certificate where applicable and if the intended stay will be for more than 90 days.
• Booking Verifiable Flight

For more information on the requirements, check here for the complete check-list from the South African High Commission, Nigeria.

Where to Apply for a South African Visa

To apply for a South African visa, you are required to visit the VFS Application Centers in Lagos or Abuja in person. the VFS  application center address is located at the end of the post. The application process will be simple and fast if you have all the needed documents.

Please ensure that you have all the documents indicated on the required check-list or else your visa may be delayed or may be denied.

Submission

The submission time is between 8.00 am to 3.00 pm from Monday to Friday except on public holidays.

The submission hours is always filled with a long queue as a result of many applicants in a day.  Therefore, you need to get to the application center as early as possible so as to avoid time wasting in submitting.

Visa Processing

Visa application processing usually takes within 6 working days of the application submission. However, it is subject to change as some applications require additional processing time.

Visa Collection

The Collection period is from 11 am to 3 pm from Monday to Friday except on public holidays. When coming for collection, you are expected to bring along with you the receipt you were given on the submission day.

You will be notified via an SMS when your application has been sent to the South African Embassy on the submission day, and you will also receive an alert when it is ready for collection.

You can as well track your application online by entering your ‘Reference Number’ and your ‘Date of Birth,’ and you will know if it is time for collection.

See Also: Procedures for getting Dubai Visa in Nigeria

VFS Office Addresses

South Africa Visa Application Centre, Lagos
Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Opposite Treasure Garden Estate
Third Roundabout, Lekki Phase I, Lagos

South Africa Visa Application Centre, Abuja.
No. 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

South Africa Embassy Address in Nigeria

South Africa High Commission, Lagos
24 Molade Okoya Thomas Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

South Africa High Commission, Abuja
71 Usuma Street, Maitama, Abuja