Private visa
Private visa
If you want to invite your relatives to South Africa, then they need to apply for a private visa. The visa will allow foreign nationals to visit their relatives who are citizens or permanent residents of South Africa.

Private visa to South Africa

South Africa is a beautiful country with a rich history, diverse culture and breathtaking nature. Many people living in this amazing country want to invite their relatives to enjoy all its charms. For this purpose, there is a special visa for relatives, which allows them to visit South Africa and spend an unforgettable time here with their family.

A relative visa or private visa to South Africa can be issued for different categories of relatives including spouses, children, parents, siblings.

A private visa to South Africa is valid for 2 years and requires an application to be submitted to the regional offices of the Department of Home Affairs or the nearest South African embassy, mission or consulate.

Visa-Navigator.com visa agency is ready to provide consultations on preparation of necessary documents, visa application rules. Our team has extensive experience in dealing with visa issues of varying complexity and is ready to help with the processing of a private visa to South Africa.

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Apply for a private visa to South Africa

Today, most countries have visa-free travel agreements with South Africa. These agreements allow residents of the European Union, including Germany, as well as other countries, to visit South Africa without the need for a private visa. Foreign nationals are allowed to stay in the country without a visa for 30-90 days.

In case citizens are prohibited from visa-free entry, they must first obtain a private visa from the South African embassy or consulate.

In order to obtain this visa, it is necessary to provide appropriate documents, such as an invitation from a relative, passport data, proof of financial solvency and many others. And also meet certain criteria:

  • If you are joining your cohabitation partner (who is not officially married to you), you should provide proof of cohabitation and joint financial commitment for at least two years.
  • If you are joining your children, you should provide proof of parentage, including the child's full birth certificate.
  • If you are joining your parents, you need to provide proof of biological relationship using a full birth certificate.
  • If you are joining your brother or sister, you must provide the birth certificate of the applicant (you) and proof of South African citizenship/residency of the relevant family member.

Please note that spouses and registered partners do not require proof of cohabitation.

Countries authorized to enter South Africa

Visa-free entry:
Andorra
Angola* 
Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda*
Argentina
Aruba
Australia
Austria
Bahamas*
Barbados*
Belgium
Belize* 
Benin* 
Bermuda
Bolivia* 
Botswana
Bouvet Island
Brazil
British Indian Ocean Territory
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cape Verde*
Cayman Islands
Chile
Costa Rica* 
Cyprus*
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Eswatini* 
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Finland
France
Gabon* 
Germany
Ghana
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Guernsey
Guyana
Hong Kong* 
Hungary* 
Iceland
Ireland
Isle of Man
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan*
Kenya
Lesotho* 
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Macau* 
Madagascar
Malawi*
Malaysia*
Maldives*
Malta
Mauritius* 
Mayotte
Monaco
Montserrat
Mozambique*
Namibia
Netherlands
New Zealand
Niue
Norway
Palestine
Panama
Paraguay
Peru*
Pitcairn
Poland* 
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Qatar
Réunion* 
Russia
Saint Barthélemy
Saint Helena
Saint Martin (Netherlands)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines
San Marino
São Tome and Príncipe
Saudi Arabia
Seychelles*
Singapore
South Korea* 
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Thailand* 
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye* 
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States of America
United States Virgin Islands
Uruguay
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe
With an embassy or consular visa:
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
American Samoa
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Bhutan
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
China
Christmas Island
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Cook Islands
Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Croatia
Cuba
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Egypt
El Salvador
Ethiopia
Gambia
Georgia
Grenada
Guam
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Heard and McDonald Islands
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liberia
Libya
Lithuania
Macedonia
Mali
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Morocco
Myanmar
Nauru
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norfolk Island
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Romania
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Samoa
Senegal
Uganda
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Vietnam
Wallis and Futuna Islands
Yemen

Documents required to apply for a private visa

Passport

valid for at least 30 days after the expiry date of the intended trip

Visa application

Two color photographs

passport size

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

(if necessary)

Confirmation of financial resources available to cover costs

Bank statements, cash, etc.

Confirmed return ticket

Proof of residence

make hotel reservations or provide the residential address of relatives

Proof of citizenship of the host country

Payment of visa fee

Visa requirements and the exact list of documents may vary depending on the nationality of the applicant.

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We can help you apply for a private visa to South Africa!

Arranging a private visa for relatives to South Africa is a process that requires attention to detail and careful preparation. But thanks to the experience and professionalism of our specialists at Visa-Navigator.com, you can be sure of a successful result. We are ready to offer full support at all stages of the visa application process, from collecting the necessary documents to providing detailed information on requirements and procedures.

Confidence in the correct processing and professional support will help to make the process easy and safe. Trust us with your visa application and your loved ones will be given a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of South Africa and create unforgettable memories.

Frequently Asked Questions on Private Visa:

Who can apply for a private visa?

The following persons may apply for a private visa:

  • the spouse of a South African citizen or permanent resident;
  • the parent of a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa;
  • a child of a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa;
  • a brother or sister of a citizen or permanent resident of South Africa.

It is important to note that siblings can only apply for a temporary residence permit, while other family members have the opportunity to apply for a permanent residence permit.

Is it possible to extend the South African private visa?

Yes, you can. If necessary, a private family visa can be extended for two years by applying while already in South Africa.

Can I get permanent residence on a private visa?

The private visa does not grant permanent residence except for family members of South African citizens (spouse, spouse or child of a South African citizen) or permanent residents of South Africa. Other holders of this visa can only obtain temporary residence through a family reunification visa.

Can I work and study in South Africa if I have a private visa?

You can't. Training or employment is not available when entering South Africa on a private visa. You will need to apply for the appropriate visa - student or work visa.

It is important to note that your sponsor, from whom the invitation to South Africa has come, must provide evidence of their financial support for you.

Why do I need to prove cash to travel to South Africa on a private visa?

A family visa to South Africa requires a certain amount of money in a bank account. The applicant must convince the authorities that the family can have the required amount. However, this requirement does not apply to spouses and minor children.

The sponsor must prove that his relative joining him in South Africa will not be a burden on the local state. Therefore, it is necessary to declare the funds in the bank account. The Immigration Act provides for the following ways of proving financial stability:

- Full funding by the sponsor;

- Full funding from the applicant;

- A combination of sponsor and applicant funding.

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Visa-Navigator.com team
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