[Update: 21 May 2021]
Dreaming of journeying to South Africa to experience its incredible nightlife, wine farms and game parks? Now you can make this dream possible with informed guidance on how to obtain your South African visa. Nigerian passport holders require a visitor visa to enter South Africa. You will need to apply at a VFS Global Centre branch in Abuja, Lagos or Port Harcourt. Always apply for your South African visitor visa at least four weeks before you travel to allow for ample processing time. Please check your eligibility before beginning the application process. Once you have your visa, all that’s left to do is pack your bags!
Please note this process is applicable to Nigerian passport holders.
Types of Visas
- Visitors Visa – The visitors’ visa is primarily used for visiting family or vacationing for a short period of time. It is valid for temporary stays of up to 90 days.
- Long Stay Visitor Visa – Best suited for foreign nationals to stay in South Africa for a period between 3 months and 3 years.
Processing Time
Processing a South African visa can take a minimum of six working days. The time may vary as each application has to undergo an individual assessment.
Collection
You can collect your visa at the respective VFS Global Centre. The visa application centre is open from Monday to Friday, except on public holidays and over weekends. Bring along the receipt which you received on the day you submitted your application. You will be notified via SMS when your application has been sent to the South African Embassy on the submission day. You can track your South African visa application online.
Visa Costs
| Visa Fee in Naira (Inclusive of VAT) | Service Fee in Naira (Inclusive of VAT) | |
| Short Term: Holiday Visa | ₦8,600 | ₦25,470 |
| Long Term: Business Visa | ₦30,600 | ₦25,470 |
Stay updated with the courier service fees on the VFS website.
The South African visa fee is subject to change without notice. It is based on the current exchange rate.
Applicants are to pay in cash at Bank Implant inside VFS Centre. Be sure to have a copy of the first page of your passport when paying the service and visa fee at the bank.
Visa Requirements
You will require the following documents for a visitor visa:
- A valid passport (validity of at least 30 days after the intended stay).
- Two identical passport size (45x45mm) 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, where applicable, signed with contact details.
- Verifiable hotel reservation/bookings – must be done directly with the hotels and not through third parties.
- Copy of international vaccination card (yellow fever card), fully completed by a health practitioner.
- Proof of financial status (six months recent bank statements) or financial support letter from employer with six months bank statements in a case where the employer is sponsoring the trip.
- Birth certificate for minors/children travelling with parents.
- Marriage certificate where applicable and if the intended stay will be for more than 90 days.
- Flight booking.
- Non-refundable visa fee of ₦8,600, excluding service fee.
- See the full checklist to ensure you have all the required documents.
Documents required for a business visa can be viewed on the VFS website.
Where to Apply
You can apply for your South African visa at VFS Global in Lagos, Abuja or Port Harcourt. All applicants must submit their applications in person at the application centres.
VFS Application Centre – Lagos
| Address: | Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Opposite Treasure Garden Estate
Third Roundabout, Lekki Phase I, Lagos |
| Contact: | +234 815 018 8800 |
| Opening Hours: | Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 15:00 |
VFS Application Centre – Abuja
| Address: | No. 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja |
| Contact: | +234 81 5018 8800 |
| Submission Timings: | Monday to Friday – 08:00 – 15:00 |
VFS Application Centre – Port Harcourt
| Address: | Vineyard Shopping Centre, 88 Woji Road, GRA, Port Harcourt |
| Contact: | +234 81 5018 8800 |
| Submission Times: | Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 15:00 |
How to Book an Appointment
Each application centre accepts a set amount of application entries per day.. It is advised to get to the application centre as early as 7 am in order to hand in your application in good time and avoid long queues.
To be sure you got everything you need, take advantage of the South African visa requirement checklist.
All information on this blog page was correct at the time of publishing and may change at any time without prior notice. Travelstart is not affiliated with immigration authorities or their application centres and will not be liable for loss or inconvenience arising from the use of this volatile information.
Travelstart does not provide advice or assist with processing visas. The content of this article is listed as recommended by research and the South African embassy. Kindly check the embassy’s website BEFORE applying for your visa.
Please, I would love to be in SA to work… And not to for a short term visa… I have looked at the criteria and it my first time of me being there…Some of this document I don’t have….How am I go about it???
Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat
Someone want to do southafrica visa for me ,is my bank printout needed while working the visa …. And how many month will it takes to be out?? I needed your comment..
Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat
I’d like to visit South Africa sometime in the year. Can I still apply even when the date isn’t so sure yet?
Hello,
My name is ADEGBOLA JAMIU ,I am a police office here in Nigeria and I wish to travel to south Africa during my leave at work to spend 5 days,please what are the documents required and criteria.
Thanks …
Hi there, thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat
I noticed no one/Admin is responding to people’s comment here so why should I write here!
Hi Solotoks, Thanks for getting through to us. What would you like we assist you with?
I want to go to South Africa, Pretoria for a church program. And I want to spend 5days, how can I do about it.
Hi there,thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat
Please leave your comment…please I am 22 years old, I learnt how to repair phones but I want to go to S.A in other to work there pls help me, what do I need to do?
Hi Akintade,thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat
Hy im in SA my fiance is in Nigeria, he want to visit me on April.so can u please help me with the procedure. Like if there is some documents that are requested from me..
Thank you in advance
Hi Siphesihle,thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat
Please how much is working visa for 2 years?
And what are the requirements?
Hi George,thanks for contacting us. I’m afraid we do not specialise with visa related queries. For this, you will need to contact the Embassy direct or official visa handling agency. They will be able to advise on the cost, correct procedures to follow and what documentation will be required. ~ Aminat
Good day pls I got a message a day after summition and is been over two weeks now, I would like to know if after the processing I will get a message to pick up.
What is the duration for pick up. Thanks
I just got my study visa, however, as indicated on my visa application, the study is to span through a period of three years ie 2017-2019; but the study permit on the visa issued to me reads that my program will be completed on the 31 of December of this year(2017). How do i get it corrected? Thank you.
Hence the expiry date for the visa permit issued to me is 2017/12/31. Pls bail me out.
I would like to ask a question, am a mother of 4 children, of which 3 of them are South Africa citizens, I came home last November to give birth to the 4th child,now I would love to go back to south,I have south Africa ID,I would want to know the requirements in getting a visa for the infant,thanks
Hi, i want to apply for a South African tourist visa for two weeks what are the requirements and how do i go about it.
Thanks in anticipation
can i still travel to south africa on 12th march while my visa expires on marchh 14 2017
Hi Ademola, thanks for your message. I am afraid we do not handle visa related queries, however, it is best advised that you should not proceed with your visit to South Africa. For more enquiries, please contact the embassy or visa handling agent. ~Aminat
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye gbadefgeafkcbcdf
Hi, I apply on 22 feb 2017 and have not received text till today
I can see you don’t always have a vital answer to all the questions been ask from all your customers,, it is better to close this platform pls…nobody is a fool okay,,,,this is not customers services to the best of my knowledge.
Hi Peter, thanks for contacting us. Is there any way I can assist you, please? ~Aminat
pls I was granted visa since 28th of April 2017 and I have not travel yet, will the Visa expire or do I have till the three months that I was given? pls I need response
Hi Henry, thanks for your comment. I’m afraid we don’t deal with visa related queries.Please call the South Africa embassy for your enquiries. However, it depends on the duration of the visa you’re granted. ~Aminat
Please I need South Africa embassy phone number. Can you please give it to me
Hi Beloved, thanks for your comment.Please search for South Africa embassy on google, I am sure it will provide you with the phone number. Thank you! ~Aminat
Please do you have VFS has any office or canter in Enugu State Nigeria
Do you have office in Enugu or any office in South East Nigeria.
Hi gud afternoon,my name is Jennifer, I would like to reside in south Africa how do I go about it?would be waiting for ur reply. Thnk u
Hi Jennifer, thank you for contacting us. Unfortunately, we do not process visas. We can only help you with your flight booking to South African. Kindly check the embassy’s website for more information on required documents, procedures and visa costs. Then you can check our website for flight prices by visiting https://goo.gl/4RtYm7. Thank you. ~
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