South Africa visa requirements for Ivorians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Ivorians visiting South Africa

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

  • An international passport valid for at least 30 days from the intended departure date.
  • Copies of the passport data page, existing visas, and previously issued visas if any.
  • BI-84 application form filled in black ink.
  • Two passport-size photographs taken in white background.
  • Original and copy of Yellow fever card.
  • Hotel booking.
  • Flight tickets.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Self-introduction letter.
  • Introduction letter from employer.
  • Original receipt issued at the time of submission of visa application.
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable) to stays more than 90 days.
  • Proof of financial support or sponsor.
  • Parents/ legal guardian letter of consent for minors.
  • Photocopies of all original documents.

South Africa Visa for Ivorians

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
Visitor Visa 10 days 90 days
Business visa within 10 days 90 days

General Requirements for South Africa Visa

  • An international passport valid for at least 30 days from the intended departure date.
  • Copies of the passport data page, existing visas, and previously issued visas if any.
  • BI-84 application form filled in black ink.
  • Two passport-size photographs taken in white background.
  • Original and copy of Yellow fever card.
  • Hotel booking.
  • Flight tickets.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Self-introduction letter.
  • Introduction letter from employer.
  • Original receipt issued at the time of submission of visa application.
  • Marriage certificate (if applicable) to stays more than 90 days.
  • Proof of financial support or sponsor.
  • Parents/ legal guardian letter of consent for minors.
  • Photocopies of all original documents.
South Africa Visitor Visa South Africa Business visa

South Africa Visitor Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A South African visitor visa is issued to Ivorian citizens who want to travel to visit friends and families, for leisure and sight-seeing.
  • An invitation letter from your host in South Africa containing the address and contact details of the host should be submitted.
  • Usually, the processing time for this visa is done within 5 days, but this could vary depending on the country you are applying from.
  • The host should attach to the letter proof of residence in South Africa. The generally accepted proof is a utility bill.
  • The South Africa visa fee varies among the countries. The fee could be more or less than $19.45 general amount, depending on the country or embassy you might be applying for the visa from.
  • The visa is valid for a short-stay visa of 90 days.
  • Certified copies of the host’s identity copies will also need to be submitted.
  • If the host is a Foreigner in South Africa, a copy of the passport and the permit legalizing a stay in South Africa must also be attached.
  • Applicants are required to have a self-introduction letter with a physical address and phone number.
  • Tourist visa is solely for the purpose of leisure travel including vacationing, cruising, sightseeing and other recreational activities. Studying or partaking in business is illegal.
  • 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 purpose for which their visas were issued. 
  • Frequent visitors to South Africa to apply for a three-year multiple entry visa.
  • Application documents must be submitted in person.
  • According to the amended South African Immigration Act 13 of 2002, foreign nationals overstaying the expiry of their South African visas will be determined undesirable and, consequently, face being banned from the Republic for a period of up to 5 years.

South Africa Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • South African business visa is eligible for those who wish to travel to the country for the purpose of engaging in business-related activities, that is, it is for those who want to own and work in their own business.
  • It can be used for signing contracts, negotiating businesses, attending seminars and conferences.
  • This business visa is valid for a short-stay of 90 days.
  • A letter of invitation from a South African company with contact details such as physical address and landline number is compulsory.
  • People that are investing in business, but not moving to South Africa or working in the business they are investing in, do not need to fulfil any South African business visa obligations and they can invest in any South African business freely.
  • The South Africa visa fee varies among the countries. The fee could be more or less than $19.45 general amount, depending on the country or embassy you might be applying for the visa from.
  • The passport must contain at least two unused pages labelled Visa when presented at the Embassy or Consulate; One page is for affixing the visa or permit at the Embassy and the other page is for endorsement of entry/departure stamp by the South African Immigration Services. 
  • You must ensure that you apply for the correct visa. Entry in the country may be refused if the purpose of the visit was not correctly stated. 
  • All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable
  • Visa collection time is 10:00 - 16:00 (Monday-Friday except on holidays)
  • When a visa is denied, the person will be given 10 days to lodge an appeal and reasons will be stipulated as to why the visa may have been denied.
  • Business people can seek up to 10-years multiple-entry visas.

South Africa Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Visitor Visa

19.45 (USD)

Business visa

19.45 (USD)

South Africa Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Ivory Coast

Location

Address

Abidjan

South African Embassy in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire Užarska ulica 17/III Abidjan 08 Cote d'Ivoire

ambassadeafsudpol@aviso.ci

(+225) 2244 5963 (+225) 2244 7534

Frequently Asked Questions

What currency is used in South Africa?
South African Rand (ZAR), it is the legal tender spent by all its population. Large supermarkets and hotels accept credit cards and US dollars but local markets accept only cash in ZAR.

What are the languages spoken in South Africa?
South Africa has 11 official languages. IsiZulu and isiXhosa are the largest languages spoken in the country, and the English language is its third official language.

Is South Africa safe?
South Africa is safe. But South Africa has a reputation for very high crime rates that include rape and murder. 

Iam a Nigerian residing in ivory coast. What will it cost me to obtain south African Vida with Nigeria passport??
Iam a Nigerian residing in ivory coast. What will it cost me to obtain south African Visa with Nigeria passport??