South Africa Visa from USA – How To Guide

It’s known that visas are usually necessary to gain access to other countries on an official level. However, there are actually exemptions to this, as you can still travel official to some countries without the need for visas. As a citizen of the United States of America, you carry a strong passport that will easily open the door of many countries for you, without having to bother yourself applying for a visa.

South Africa is one of these countries. If you are going to South Africa for 90 days or less, either it’s for business or tourism purposes, U.S passport holders don’t really need South Africa Visa from USA. The United States of America is one of the visa-exempt countries in South Africa’s list, and while there are other countries where their nationals don’t need a South African visa if they are visiting the country for 30 days or less,

South Africa Visa from USA – Do US Citizens Need Visa For South Africa?

However, while you are not restricted by a visa, there are requirements you must still satisfy to be allowed access into the country. Much importantly, you should have a passport that’s valid for thirty more days after the intended return date from the country.  

How To Get A South African Visa From USA As A Non-citizen

If you are not a citizen of the United States of America but you want to visit South Africa, you will have to apply for a visa at any of the South African missions in America. Please note that you are to have passports/travel documents valid for thirty more days after the intended return date from the country.  

Here are the necessary documents you are to submit at the South African Embassy or Consulate:                                         

1. Your machine-readable valid passport with at least two (2) unused (blank) pages labeled Visa when presented. One page will be utilized for affixing your visa and the other for endorsement of entry/departure stamp by the South African Immigration Services. 
2. Hence, it is necessary that your Passport should be valid for 30 more days after the intended return date from the country. Only machine-readable travel documents (MRTDs) will be accepted on the submission of visa applications.
3. A duly completed Visa application form DHA-84 signed by you
4. Certified/notarized copy of bio page of your passport
5. Two (2) passport photos belonging to you, preferably with white background
6. Proof of legal status 
7. Proof of itinerary/reservation of round trip air tickets. As a Non-citizen of the United States applying for a South African visa, it is very important to avoid buying air tickets until you get your visa indeed
8. Proof of sufficient funds for your own maintenance for the duration of stay
9. Proof of hotel accommodation (a real hotel reservation). If you will be staying with someone during your stay in South Africa, then you will need a letter of invitation from your host in the country.
10. Proof of your host’s legal status in South Africa
11. A non-refundable fee of $36.00 money order
12. Certified/notarized copy of the birth certificate for minors below 18 years applying for a visa
13. Consent letter from the parent(s) in case of minors traveling alone or with one of their parents
14. A yellow fever certificate is necessary to be submitted if you are passing through the yellow fever belt area before entering the country.
15. A statement or documentation detailing the purpose and duration of your visit to South Africa

It should also be added that processing time is typically 5 business days, although it may take up to 10 days during peak season.

Do I Need Visa For South Africa From USA?

No you don’t need a Visa to travel to South Africa as a U.S citizen, either you are visiting for tourism or business purposes, as far as you won’t be using more than 90 days in the country. But if you are not a citizen of the United States, you will need to apply for a visa from any of the South African missions in America. You are to submit the necessary documents and your application should be approved in five business days or less, with all things being equal.

How Long Can A USA Citizen Stay In South Africa?

If you are visiting for tourism or business purposes, you shouldn’t stay in South Africa for more than 90 days without a visa. If you want to stay for a longer period of time, you should apply for a temporary residence visa. For folks who aren’t U.S citizens but are coming over from the States, if you intend to stay in South Africa for a long period of time, you should not apply for a visitor’s visa, but should get a temporary residence visa. Both are not the same. However, you should have good reasons why you want to stay in the country for a long time – either to work or study.

Can US Citizens Live In South Africa?

Yes, US citizens can live in South Africa, as long as they indicated what they intend to do in the country (working, studying, etc) while applying for their temporary residence visa. If you are going to be living in South Africa as a U.S citizen, you should have good reasons for doing so, and you should have good knowledge about the area you will be settling in. Of course, there are several U.S citizens living in South Africa already, as the country is really a nice one 

Can I Move From US To South Africa? How?

Yes, you can easily move to South Africa as a citizen of the United States of America. That can be easily realistic if you will be going to the country to work or study. If that’s the case, you can always apply for a temporary residence visa in a South African mission in the U.S. If you are not a U.S citizen, you will have to apply for a visa before you can get into the country.

Where Can You Submit Your Application?

South Africa has different foreign representations in the United States of America. We will highlight where you can submit your visa application:

The South African Consulate General in Chicago, Illinois

Physical Address: 200 South Michigan Avenue, 6th Floor

Chicago, IL 60604

Tel. (312) 939-7929

Will easily serve folks in:

– Michigan

– Oklahoma

– Illinois

– Ohio

– Missouri

– Indiana

– Wisconsin

– Minnesota

– Kansas

– Arkansas

– North Dakota and South Dakota

– Nebraska 

– Iowa

 

The South African Consulate General in Los Angeles, CA

Physical Address: 6300 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 600

Los Angeles, CA 90048

Tel. (323) 651-0902

Will easily serve folks in:

– Alaska

– Arizona

– California

– Colorado

– Hawaii

– Idaho

– Montana

– Nevada

– New Mexico

– Oregon

– Utah

– Washington and Wyoming 

 

The South African Consulate General in New York City

Physical Address: 333 East 38th Street,

9th Floor

New York NY 10016

Tel: (212) 213-4880

Will easily serve folks in: 

– Connecticut

– Delaware

– Kentucky

– Maine

– Massachusetts

– New Hampshire

– New Jersey

– New York

– North Carolina

– Pennsylvania

– Rhode Island

– South Carolina

– Tennessee

– Vermont 

– West Virginia

 

The South African Embassy in Washington, DC

Physical Address: 3051 Massachusetts Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20008

Tel: (202) 232-4400

Will easily serve folks in:

– Alabama

– District of Colombia

– Florida

– Georgia

– Louisiana

– Maryland

– Mississippi

– Texas

– Virginia

– Puerto Rico

– Virgin Islands

Related:

• South African Embassy In The USA
• Easiest Ways To Get Canada Express Entry Success
• South Africa Visa From UK

In conclusion, USA passport holders don’t need a visa to travel to South Africa. Nevertheless, others will have to apply for a visa in any of the South African missions in America before they can be allowed access into South Africa.