How to get a South Africa visa from Burkina Faso

• The South African tourist visa is available for Burkinabés looking to travel to the country for tourism purposes.
• It is also known as a visitor's visa.

• South African visitors’ visas may be granted for:

  • visits to family or friends and also for tourism purposes.
  • business purposes.
  • spouse to join a spouse who is in South Africa on a work or study permit.
  • children to join parents who are in South Africa on work or study permits.
  • fiancée/ fiancé to join his or her partner with the intention of marrying within 90 days.
  • study purposes (max stay 3-months).
  • charitable or voluntary activities.
  • research.
  • conferences.
  • to work in the production of a movie or show (i.e. in the entertainment industry).
  • for medical purposes (max stay 3-months).
  • sport events.
• Visitors’ visas are for international travellers (citizens of other countries) who have permanent residence outside South Africa and who wish to visit the country on a temporary basis for tourism or business purposes for a period of 90 days or less.
• The visa will allow you to travel to a South African port of entry where an immigration official will then determine if you are allowed to enter South Africa and for how long you can stay for that particular visit. Visitors are restricted to the activity or reason for which their visas were issued.
• On entry to South Africa, a visa is considered to be a visitor's permit. The permit’s period of validity is calculated from the date of entry into the country and will be set out under the heading "conditions" on the visa label. You must ensure that you apply for the correct visa/permit. Entry in the country may be refused if the purpose of the visit was not correctly stated.
• Visas are not issued at South African ports of entry, and airline officials are obliged to insist on visas before allowing passengers to board. If you arrive without a visa, immigration officials are obliged to put you onto a flight back to your home country.

• Proof of yellow fever vaccination gotten at least 10 days before arrival is required of travellers.

• Proof of financial means to pay for your living expenses while in South Africa must be provided in the form of:
  • Bank statements.
  • Salary advances.
  • Undertakings by the host(s) in South Africa.
  • Bursary.
  • Medical cover or
  • Cash available (including credit cards and travellers’ cheques).

• The South African work visa is for Burkinabés whose purpose of traveling to South Africa is to take up paid employment.
• The visa application form of applicants should be accompanied with 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 is needed.
• The employing company must submit proof of registration of the business with the Commission on Intellectual Property and Companies (CIPC).
• Your family members are allowed to come visit you, but they are required to apply for a South African relative visa.
• The South African work visa is valid for a minimum period of 24 months and can be extended.
• For applicants 18 years and older, a police clearance certificate is required.
• A medical and radiological report of applicants is required.

• The South African student visa is issued to students who intend to study in one of the academic institutions in South Africa.
• Studying in South Africa is easy for foreigners. It will usually take three years of full-time study to complete a bachelor's degree, and one or two years to complete a master's degree.
• A letter of acceptance from the institution you have applied is required. The letter should be written on the company’s letterhead and state the course and duration of the study.
• An undertaking by the registrar of the chosen educational institution to grant proof of registration as contemplated in the relevant legislation within 60 days of registration.
• Students are required to provide proof of sufficient funds. A student is required to have at least R2,714 per month to cover financial needs.
• If you are over the age of 18 years, you are required to submit a police clearance certificate not older than 6 months.
• For applicants under the age of 18 years, an unabridged original copy of your birth certificate is required.
• A certificate of yellow fever vaccination should be provided.
• International students are allowed to work part-time as long as it does not interfere with your study.
• Certificates and transcripts from previously attended school should be submitted during the application process.

The timelines given by the South African High Commission for the processing of each application is a minimum of 6 to 8 weeks. However, visa applicants should bear in mind that each application is subject to an individual assessment and processing times may vary.