South Africa visa requirements for Eritreans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Eritreans visiting South Africa

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

An Eritrean international passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
A duly completed and signed visa application form.
If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
Two (35 mm x 45 cm) passport-sized photographs.
Travel document.
Proof of financial support to cover your entire stay in South Africa.
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 in Eritrea.
Medical Insurance to cover the duration of stay. 
Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.

South Africa Visa for Eritreans

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 within 10 working days 90 days
Business visa Within 10 working days 90 days
Student visa within 10 working days Study's duration
Medical visa within 10 working days 90 days

General Requirements for South Africa Visa

An Eritrean international passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
A duly completed and signed visa application form.
If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
Two (35 mm x 45 cm) passport-sized photographs.
Travel document.
Proof of financial support to cover your entire stay in South Africa.
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 in Eritrea.
Medical Insurance to cover the duration of stay. 
Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
South Africa Tourist visa South Africa Business visa South Africa Student visa South Africa Medical visa

South Africa Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The South African tourist visa is a visa granted to Eritrean tourists who wish to visit South Africa for tourism purposes.
  • This visa is issued to those who will be spending 90 days or less in the country.
  • Visa for tourism is charged $36USD but the fee could vary depending on the country or region involved.
  • Your visa is processed within 10 business days if all your visa requirements are adequate and accurate.
  • A valid and acceptable passport visa and travel document for your intended stay are required.
  • You are to reserve at least one blank page in your passport for visa stamps.
  • Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay in South African.
  • An onward and return ticket.
  • Payment for your visa should be made in your local currency to the South African consulate or embassy in Asmara.
  • Yellow fever certificate is required if the applicant is passing through the yellow fever belt area before entering South Africa.
  • Proof of legal status for your country must be provided. 
  • Currency brought into or taken from South Africa is monitored by law. Should you have South African currency exceeding R25 000 or any foreign currency, this must be declared.
  • If you are a journalist or sportsman and are bringing goods into the country with you, such as photographic or sports equipment, you should declare them in the Customs red channel after arriving in South Africa.
  • Travelers may import their personal medicament provided it is for not more than three (3) months’ use. This must be accompanied by a prescription issued by a medical doctor.
  • The tobacco and alcohol allowance is not applicable to persons under the age of 18 years.

South Africa Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The South African business visa is granted to foreign business travelers who are to conduct business activities in South Africa.
  • The visa, being a visitor's visa, it is issued as a short-stay visa with a duration of 90 days in the country.
  • Visa costs $36USD, but this amount could vary depending on the South African consulate or embassy in your country, or the region you are applying from.
  • This visa permits Eritreans to also start-up business in South African.
  • These are some tips on how to start up business in South African:
  • A large part of how to qualify for a business visa in South Africa is how much money you have to invest in your new South African business. A minimum investment is required to be made into the business within a 2 year period of time.
  • Your application will be scrutinized for the employment positions it creates. 60% of your employees need to be either South African citizens or permanent residency holders.
  • When courting foreign investment, regulations also pay attention to attracting the right sort of businesses to South Africa. There are specific sectors such as tourism and manufacturing that are deemed priority industries.
  • Building a business plan is necessary, a business plan is a blueprint for the success of the business. Further, the business plan will also identify the business’s chances of succeeding and the applicant’s own business ability.
  • An agreement to register with The South African Revenue Service, Unemployment Insurance Fund, Compensation Fund, Companies, and Intellectual Properties Commission, and a relevant professional body or council, where applicable, as recognized by the SAQA must be provided.
  • Police clearance certificates from the country in which you stayed from the age of 18 years, including South Africa is required.
  • A letter of recommendation from the Department of Trade and Industry that assessed the feasibility of your business and why the contribution would be beneficial and of interest to the Republic.
  • Before starting up a business, you need to research business ideas in South Africa.
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’ve traveled or you’re planning to travel in a risk area, as well as your radiology reports.
  • If the applicant is traveling to South Africa for a business meeting, the following are required:
  • A valid passport expiring no less than 30 days after the expiry of the intended visit.
  • A return flight booking.
  • A letter of invitation from the business or confirmation from the organization confirming the activity/business they will undertake.
  • Proof of funds to support visits or support from sponsoring company.

South Africa Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The student visa is issued to international students including Eritreans' who intend to study in one of the academic institutions in South Africa.
  • Your visa duration depends on your study years or days.
  • Visa fee could vary depending on the country or region you are applying from, and your visa processing time should be done within 10 business days should all your visa requirements are well met by you.
  • Delay on your visa may be due to the verification of your information or all the documents required are not provided by you.
  • 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 meet 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.
  • Your certificate of yellow fever vaccination will be required.
  • International students are allowed to work part-time as long as it does not interfere with your studies.
  • Certificates and transcripts from previously attended schools should be submitted during the application process.

South Africa Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Eritreans who apply for the medical visa wish to visit South Africa in order to undergo specific medical treatment regarded very necessary and exigent.
  • A signed referral letter from a doctor in Eritrea specifying the nature of health problems and the reason the treatment will be best gotten in South Africa is required.
  • You are advised to apply for this visa three months prior to your travel to South Africa to avoid visa delay as soon as possible.
  • Your visa process is done within 10 working days providing your information are adequate and accurate, meeting the visa requirements.
  • Visa fee could be more or less depending on the country or region involved.
  • Before you apply for the visa, it has to be a medical condition that could not be handled by local health center in your country.
  • A signed letter from the doctor in South Africa stating that he/she will take up the treatment. The physical address of the hospital should be stated in the letter, as well as, the telephone number.
  • A letter from your employer in your country stating awareness and allowance of your leave. Your job position and duration of your employment should be stated in the letter.
  • If the applicant is under the age of 18, the original copy of the child’s birth certificate is required. A letter of consent signed by both parents of the minor should also be submitted.
  • A copy of the Yellow Fever Card with signature and cover page which shows validity dates is mandatory. The yellow fever vaccination card should be valid for 10 years.
  • Proof that you have the incentive of returning to your country at the expiry of your visa should be presented.
  • Receipt of the paid visa application form.
  • Whoever will be traveling with the patient will need to apply for their visa separately, as they can not travel with the Patient's medical visa.

South Africa Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

36.00 (USD)

Business visa

36.00 (USD)

Student visa

36.00 (USD)

Medical visa

36.00 (USD)

South Africa Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Eritrea

Location

Address

Asmara

South African Embassy in Asmara, Eritrea Intercontinental Hotel, Room 101 Asmara, Eritrea

saembasy@eol.com.er

(+291) 1 150 400 Ext 2282

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does my South Africa work permit visa valid?

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

What limit of speed do I have maintain wheen driving in South Africa?

120 km/h on most highways, and 60 km/h or 80 km/h in the city as marked. It’s wise to mostly stick by it, because there are camera traps everywhere, either fixed or mobile, the latter usually being a guy with a radar gun sitting under a bridge, so beware of bridges! If you get a ticket in the mail, there is a debate whether you have to pay it or not if it’s not actually sent by registered mail, but given the fact that an outstanding traffic fine is a reason for arrest at a traffic stop, I’m not sure I’d take that risk.

Is it suitable to travel to South Africa with my kids?

If you are traveling with your children, South Africa is definitely a great choice for a family safari. Much of South Africa is malaria-free, allowing you to worry less about bringing your children outdoors. However, the main wildlife areas – including Kruger National Park - lie in a moderate-risk zone. Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider to find the best ways to stay safe, and don’t forget to pack the mosquito repellent.

What is the South African electrical outlet?

All electrical appliances in SOUTH AFRICA run on 220V. Outlets are made to fit around 3 pin, 15 amp plugs. Although adaptors are generally available at hotels, we highly recommend taking your own adaptor. If you are taking electric hair styling tools in any shape or form (flatirons, curling irons, hairdryers etc) or any other electrical appliances, you should make sure they are dual voltage and remember to change the voltage if necessary when you get to SOUTH AFRICA or you can undoubtedly kiss them goodbye!