South Africa visa requirements for Congoleses

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Congoleses visiting South Africa

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

  • An international passport with at least 1-month validity left from departure date from South Africa with 2 pages for stamping.
  • Completed and signed BI-84E visa application form.
  • Two recent passport photograph taken in a white background.
  • Invitation letter.
  • Proof of flight reservation.
  • Proof of civil status.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Most recent bank statements showing the applicant’s name, account balance and date of statement.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Yellow fever vaccination.
  • Cover letter mentioning travel details.
  • Travel itinerary.
  • Receipt of visa fees.

South Africa Visa for Congoleses

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 5-10 working days 90 days
Business visa 5-10 working days 90 days
Student visa 5-10 working days 90 days

General Requirements for South Africa Visa

  • An international passport with at least 1-month validity left from departure date from South Africa with 2 pages for stamping.
  • Completed and signed BI-84E visa application form.
  • Two recent passport photograph taken in a white background.
  • Invitation letter.
  • Proof of flight reservation.
  • Proof of civil status.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Most recent bank statements showing the applicant’s name, account balance and date of statement.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Yellow fever vaccination.
  • Cover letter mentioning travel details.
  • Travel itinerary.
  • Receipt of visa fees.
South Africa Tourist visa South Africa Business visa South Africa Student visa

South Africa Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • South African tourist visa is issued to individuals who have the intention of travelling to South Africa for leisure purposes.
  • The tourist visa can also be used for sight-seeing, vacations, ceremonies and tourism.
  • Holders of this visa are not allowed to engage in any form of study or business, it is strictly recreational.
  • Applicants are to have a passport valid for at least 30 days after departure from South Africa.
  • A cover letter from the immigration department in South Africa stating the purpose of the visit and duration of stay of the applicant is required.
  • It is essential to have sufficient funds for your trip. This has to be proven during your visa application and it could be in the form of a bank statement or salary slip.
  • All tourists are expected to have a hotel reservation valid for the duration of their trip.
  • The tourist visa is issued for a short stay of 90 days. If you overstay your allotted time, you would be considered undesirable and banned from re-entering the country for 5 years. 
  • Travel agencies are to issue an invitation letter containing the detailed itinerary for the applicant's trip.
  • If you are employed, a letter from your employer in Congo is required. The letter should state your position at work, salary and leave granted for the visit.
  • A certificate of vaccination for yellow fever is required for applicants from countries within the yellow belt.
  • Minors traveling are to have the original copy of their birth certificate and a signed letter of authorization from their parents or legal guardian.
  • All applications are to be submitted in person to the embassy of South Africa in Congo as biometrics would be taken.
  • It costs 45 USD to process a South African visa and the fees are non-refundable.
  • The Consul needs to see your return trip ticket to Congo as proof that you would return to your country when your visa expires.

South Africa Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • If you want to conduct business in South Africa, you are eligible for this visa.
  • Conducting businesses and working in South Africa are two different things. Holders of this visa are not allowed to work or take up any form of paid employment.
  • A business visa can be used to sign contracts, partner in businesses, run a branch of a company and even hire staff.
  • Applicants are to fill an application form known as BI 84E. The form should be filled with BLACK INK and must be in ENGLISH language.
  • Two passport photographs (3x4mm) are to be attached to the application form.
  • A letter from the Congolese company is required. The letter should confirm the purpose and duration of the business trip/deputation order.
  • Sometimes, the Consul might require the profile of the Congolese company.
  • The host company in South Africa is also required to send an invitation letter. The letter should the nature of the business to be carried out, sponsor of the trip and duration of the trip.
  • A hotel reservation is required of travelers.  
  • Applicants are expected to submit their applications in person to the South African embassy and ensure that their fingerprints are taken.
  • You must confirm that you are applying for the correct visa. Entry in the country may be refused if the purpose of the visit was not correctly stated. 
  • If your visa is denied, you would be given 10 days to lodge an appeal and reasons will be listed as to why the visa may have been denied.

South Africa Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A South African student visa allows foreign nationals to study in South Africa.
  • It can be used to attend training, internships and short-term courses for up to 90 days.
  • If your course of study is more than 90 days, you have to apply for a study permit.
  • The study permit is usually valid for the duration of your course of study.
  •  In the case of practical training of a foreign student or in-house practical training of a foreign employee, the Act now makes provision for these persons to be regulated on study permits, irrespective of the period of their visit.
  • Those going for training are required to present a letter from their Congolese employer confirming the need for training, duration of stay and that the applicant will return to the current job on completion of the training.
  • Students taking a course for less than three months are to submit a letter from the educational institution applied to.
  • The letter should state the duration of the course and the confirmation of payment for the course.
  • A medical report issued by a renowned physician is required. It should show that the applicant is of good health.
  • Student visa applicants are to have a police clearance report from Congo issued within the last year.
  • Applicants are also required to deposit the sum of $1100 as repatriation.
  • Individuals travelling under a student visa to South Africa are required to have a sponsor that would be responsible for them through the course of their stay.
  • South Africa forbids international students to work and study at the same time.
  • All documents are to be translated into English Language and must be authentic.

South Africa Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

45.00 (USD)

Business visa

45.00 (USD)

Student visa

45.00 (USD)

South Africa Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Congo

Location

Address

Brazzaville

77 Avenue Ngongo Lutete, Gombe PO Box 7829

www.saembassbrazza.com

adamsr@dirco.gov.za

+ 242 81 08 49

Frequently Asked Questions

What is South Africa famous for?

South Africa is famous for a lot of things. The country is one of the world's largest producers of gold. It is also the country with the strongest economy in Africa. South Africa is also known for its wines and it was the first country in Africa to host a football WorldCup.

How is the climate in South Africa?

South Africa has climatic conditions that range from the Mediterranean to temperate, subtropical and desert climate. The main factors influencing the weather conditions are the altitude and the surrounding oceans (Atlantic and Indian).

Is it easy to move around in South Africa?

South Africa has a number of transportation options available to visitors. The easiest ways to move are through cars and taxis, hop on and hop-off buses, and pick-ups and drops. Hail taxis are however not available so you will need to walk to a taxi park in order to get a metered taxi. Ubers are also widely available.

When is the best time of the year to visit South Africa?

South Africa is a year-round destination depending on where you would be visiting and why you are visiting. Those who visit for Safari (game hunt) normally do so during the winter which is from May-September. The months of April, May, September, and October are however the best months to combine destinations across the country.