South Africa visa requirements for Somalis

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Somalis visiting South Africa

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a South African Visa.

  • A Somalia passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed the visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (35 mm x 45 cm).
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Copy of return flight ticket
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to the home country, e.g. verification from the applicant’s employer.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Medical Insurance to cover the duration of the entire stay. 
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

South Africa Visa for Somalis

Facts about South Africa

South Africa is popular for its natural landscape, game reserves, and cultural heritage. Tourists interested in natural history would have a good time visiting the country. A wide range of species can be found in various nature parks around the country. The most popular national parks are the Kruger National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, other smaller parks are Addo National Park and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. There are also beaches which offer activities like surfing and kayaking. In addition to its numerous natural attractions, South Africa also boasts a large number of attractions of cultural significance. They include caves forming part of the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng, the ruins of the Kingdom of Mapungubwe in northern Limpopo, the wine routes of the Western Cape amongst others.
 
The tourism industry is one of the most important industries of the South African economy. In 2012, the country was responsible for directly contributing ZAR 102 billion of South African GDP and supports 10.3% of jobs in the country. In 2014, over 9 million tourists visited South Africa which was a 0.1% increase from the number of visitors recorded the previous year.
 
Foreigners visiting South Africa are not allowed to enter the country with more than ZAR25,000 but can enter the country with unlimited foreign currency. No Kruger coin is allowed. On exit from the country, you cannot be in possession of more than ZAR25,000 but can leave with unlimited foreign currency if the amount was declared on entry. Foreigners can leave the country with up to 15 Kruger coins if there is proof it was purchased with foreign currency.
 
Citizens of Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malta, Portugal, Russia, Spain, the United Kingdom, etc can gain entry visa-free for a stay of 90 days. Nationals of Angola, Antigua, and Barbuda, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Hungary, Jordan, Poland, South Korea, Thailand, etc do not need a visa for stays of 30 days or less.

Types of South Africa Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 10 days 90 days
Work visa 10 days 4 years
Student visa 10 days varies

General Requirements for South Africa Visa

  • A Somalia passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed the visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (35 mm x 45 cm).
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Copy of return flight ticket
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to the home country, e.g. verification from the applicant’s employer.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Medical Insurance to cover the duration of the entire stay. 
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
South Africa Tourist visa South Africa Work visa South Africa Student visa

South Africa Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The South African tourist visa is for Somalians who have permanent residence outside South Africa and wish to visit the country temporarily for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less
  • A valid and acceptable passport or travel document for your intended stay
  • Your passport must have at least two blank pages for entry/departure endorsements
  • Documentation confirming the purpose and duration of your visit
  • Two-color passport photographs
  • For  (minors) traveling with you or joining in South Africa, you will need to provide the following additional documents
  • Proof of guardianship or custody
  • Yellow fever certificates if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America. 
  • Proof of itinerary/reservation of round trip air tickets. Please do not purchase air tickets until you obtain a South African visa.
  • Proof of sufficient fund (in the form of three months recent bank statements stamped by the bank) for own maintenance for the duration of stay
  • Proof of hotel accommodation (confirmed hotel reservation) or a letter of invitation from the host (relative or friend) in South Africa
  • Proof of host’s legal status in South Africa (copy of I.D. Book/ passport if South African citizen) or copy of passport and a copy of visa or residence status in South Africa, certified by the South African Police Service.
  • Processing time is 5 business days and may take up to 10 days during peak season

South Africa Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is for Somalians who have a job offer from a South African company that’s willing to participate in the process.
  • The visa application form of applicants should be accompanied by proof of acknowledgment from the Department of Labor.
  • A letter of employment from your future employer should be provided. The letter should state the address of the company and your job position.
  • The contract of employment, that determines the conditions of employment and is signed by both the employer and employee. This document should be in line with the labor norms in South Africa.
  • Your employer should prove that you will not be paid lower than the average salary and benefits of citizens that have the same job in the country.
  • Before you are offered this job, you must have proof that you have the required qualifications and experience that suits the job.
  • Your future employer must provide a document showing proof that there was no South African willing and available to take up the job.
  • Proof of skills evaluated by SAQA and translated by a denominated translator into one of the official languages of South Africa.
  • Proof of registration of the business with the Commission on Intellectual Property and Companies (CIPC) of your future employer.
  • Your family members are allowed to come visit you, but they are required to apply for a South African relative visa.
  • This visa is valid for a minimum period of 24 months and may be extended.
  • For applicants 18 years and older, a police clearance certificate is required.
  • A medical and radiological report of applicants is required.
  • A general work visa can be issued for up a period of up to 4years.

South Africa Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A South African study visa (formerly known as a study permit) allows a foreign national to reside in the Republic whilst studying at a South African institution of primary, secondary or tertiary education.
  • A study vias can cover a range of educational disciplines and even include practical training as well as internships pertaining to the field of study in some cases.
  • To study in South Africa, the applicant must be accepted to study at the school concerned.  
  • The learning institution concerned is held strictly liable for the study visa holder’s compliance with the Immigration Act.  The following forms part of the school’s responsibilities towards the Department of Home Affairs:
  • It must confirm that the student’s registration has been confirmed within 60 days after the closing date for registrations;
  • It must notify the Department of Home Affairs within 7 days if the student fails to register by the closing date for registrations;
  • It must notify the Department of Home Affairs immediately if the student is de-registered or expelled; and
  • It must notify the Department of Home Affairs if the student completes his or her studies or wishes to extend the period of study at the institution.
  • The applicant must prove that he or she has access to the funds necessary to sustain him or herself for the duration of the course while studying in South Africa
  • The applicant must be covered by South African medical aid for the duration of the studies. 
  • There is no limit on the number of times a study visa can be renewed.
  • For a minor under the age of 18 years at the time of application, other requirements must also be complied with.  These include, but are not limited to:
  • The identity of both parents must be proven.
  • Both parents/guardians must consent to the child’s travel to study in South Africa. 
  • It must be proven that the child will have a guardian in South Africa. 
  • A police clearance certificate is not required in respect of applicants under the age of 18 years.
  • Children under 12 do not need to submit radiological reports.

South Africa Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

50.00 (USD)

Work visa

1520.00 (ZAR)

Student visa

50.00 (USD)

South Africa Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Somalia

Location

Address

-

no South Africa embassy in Somalia, travellers are advanced to go to neighbouring country

-

-

-

Frequently Asked Questions

For how long is a temporary residence or work visa in South Africa valid?

The length of validity varies depending on the visa category. Generally, visas are valid for between one and five years.

If I have a criminal record can I still successfully apply for a temporary residence or work visa in South Africa?

Unless you’ve been convicted of a serious crime, like murder, rape or drug trafficking, then, generally, you still qualify to become a South African temporary resident. For instance, the South African Department of Home Affairs often does not consider traffic offenses or drunken driving charges reason to deem you an undesirable person. You should however always check this with an immigration company prior to making an application.

If I have tuberculosis (TB) can I still successfully apply for a temporary residence or work visa in South Africa??

No. TB is considered an infectious disease and deems you a prohibited and undesirable person. You are not eligible to apply.

Is it possible to renew a temporary residence or work visa that’s about to expire?

Yes. Though, you must be eligible to apply according to the rules described above. Automatic entitlement does not exist simply because you’ve done this before.  You must renew your permit before 60 days of its expiration at a VAC. Generally, the South African Department of Home Affairs will not allow you to apply for renewal more than three months before it expires.

Hi what about if I have south African travel ducoment but already has expired?