# 🇿🇦 South Africa — visa routes > Verified visa and immigration data for South Africa from VisaPassage. > Canonical page: https://visapassage.com/destinations/south-africa 14 routes with deep coverage. Every entry below is checked against official sources and carries its own verification date. Statuses describe typical eligibility — they are never a promise of approval; individual applications require review. ## Short visits by passport - **United States**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days - **United Kingdom**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days - **Germany**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days - **India**: eTA required · apply before travel - **Canada**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days - **Australia**: Visa-free · stays up to 90 days Other passports: check https://visapassage.com/visa-checker for your specific passports. ## Visit | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | South Africa Visitor's Visa (Tourism) | Consular visa · typically eligible | 90 days | — | — | 30 days | | South Africa Medical Treatment Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 30 days | - **South Africa Visitor's Visa (Tourism)** — Key documents: Passport, Return/onward ticket, Proof of funds, Accommodation details · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za - **South Africa Medical Treatment Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Medical letter, Proof of funds · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za ## Study & Training | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | South Africa Study Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 45 days | | South Africa Exchange Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 45 days | - **South Africa Study Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Acceptance letter, Proof of medical cover, Proof of funds, Police clearance · Rights: Work: up to 20 h/week · Study: Full-time enrolment is the visa purpose · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za - **South Africa Exchange Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Programme confirmation, Proof of funds/undertaking · Rights: Work: Work only within the approved exchange programme · Study: Study/training within the programme · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za ## Work & Self-Employment | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | South Africa Remote Work Visa (Digital Nomad) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 45 days | | South Africa General Work Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 60 days | | South Africa Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 60 days | - **South Africa Remote Work Visa (Digital Nomad)** — Key documents: Passport, Proof of foreign employment/contract, Proof of income, Police clearance, Medical and radiological reports · Rights: Family: Accompanying family apply for linked visitor's visas · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za - **South Africa General Work Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Job offer / employment contract, Labour Department certificate, SAQA evaluation, Police clearance, Medical and radiological reports · Rights: Work: Tied to the sponsoring employer and role · Residency after 5 years · Family: Family apply for accompanying visas · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za - **South Africa Intra-Company Transfer Work Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Employment proof abroad, Transfer/secondment letter, Skills-transfer plan, Police clearance · Rights: Work: Tied to the transferring employer · Family: Family apply for accompanying visas · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za ## Invest & Capital | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | South Africa Financially Independent Permit (PR) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 240 days | | South Africa Business Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 60 days | - **South Africa Financially Independent Permit (PR)** — Key documents: Passport, Net-worth statement, Proof of fee payment, Police clearance, Medical and radiological reports · Rights: Work: Permanent resident; may work or run a business · Study: Permanent resident; may study · Residency: Grants permanent residence directly · Family: Family apply for linked permits · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za - **South Africa Business Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Business plan, Proof of capital, DTIC recommendation, Undertaking on local staff, Police clearance · Rights: Work: Work within the established business · Residency: Direct PR category for qualifying business owners · Family: Family apply for accompanying visas · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za ## Retire & Lifestyle | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | South Africa Retired Person's Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 60 days | - **South Africa Retired Person's Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Proof of retirement income, Police clearance, Medical and radiological reports · Rights: Study: May study as a resident · Residency: Direct PR variant where lifetime income is shown · Family: Spouse and dependent children may accompany · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za ## Family & Origin | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | South Africa Relative's Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 45 days | | South Africa Spousal / Life-Partner Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 60 days | - **South Africa Relative's Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Proof of relationship, Sponsor's status, Financial assurance, Police clearance · Rights: Residency: Immediate relatives of citizens/residents may pursue PR · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za - **South Africa Spousal / Life-Partner Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Marriage/partnership proof, Sponsor's status, Proof of cohabitation/financial interdependence, Police clearance · Rights: Residency after 5 years · Family: Issued to the partner; dependent children may be included · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za ## Special Categories | Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 60 days | | South Africa Permanent Residence (Direct Categories) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | — | — | 240 days | - **South Africa Critical Skills Work Visa** — Key documents: Passport, Proof of critical skill, Professional body registration, SAQA evaluation, Police clearance, Medical and radiological reports · Rights: Work: Work in the listed critical-skills occupation · Residency: Direct PR category with a qualifying job offer · Family: Family apply for accompanying visas · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za - **South Africa Permanent Residence (Direct Categories)** — Key documents: Passport, Category proof, Police clearance, Medical and radiological reports · Rights: Work: Permanent resident; unrestricted work · Study: Permanent resident; may study · Residency: Is permanent residence; citizenship by naturalisation later · Family: Family may hold linked PR/temporary status · Last verified 12 Jun 2026 · Source: dha.gov.za --- Source: VisaPassage (https://visapassage.com/). Cite the canonical page above when referencing this data. Markdown index of all destinations: https://visapassage.com/destinations/llm.md.