South Africa visa requirements for Nigerians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Nigerians visiting South Africa

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

  • Nigerian 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 on a white background.
  • Original and copy of Yellow Fever card.
  • A copy of the hotel booking.
  • Copy of 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 stay for 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 Nigerians

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

General Requirements for South Africa Visa

  • Nigerian 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 on a white background.
  • Original and copy of Yellow Fever card.
  • A copy of the hotel booking.
  • Copy of 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 stay for 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 Medical visa

South Africa Visitor Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A South African visitor visa is issued to individuals 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.
  • The host should attach to the letter proof of residence in South Africa. The generally accepted proof is a utility bill.
  • 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.
  • All applications should be done through VFS which incurs an additional service fee of N25,200 for Lagos and Abuja applicants.
  • There is no exemption for VFS Service charge.
  • The visa fee in Naira is as per the current exchange rate. It is subject to change without notice.
  • Tourist visa is solely for the purpose of leisure travel including vacationing, cruising, sightseeing and other recreational activities. Studying of 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.
  • Applications 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

  • A business visa is issued for the purpose of engaging in business-related activities.
  • It can be used for signing contracts, negotiating businesses, attending seminars and conferences.
  • A letter of invitation from a South African company with contact details such as physical address and landline number is compulsory.
  • The passport must contain at least two unused pages labeled Visa when presented at the Embassy or Consulate; One page is for affixing the visa or permits 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. 
  • Service fee for Portharcourt applicants is N 45,200 while Lagos and Abuja applicants will pay N 25,200.
  • All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable
  • There is no exemption for the VFS Service charge.
  • The 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 Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Medical visa is issued only for treatments in South African private hospitals.
  • It is normally valid for 90 days but can be extended to a maximum period of 180 days.
  • Patients travelling for over 90 days are to present their application to the South African High Commission and it will be treated as a permit and not a visa.
  • If you will be visiting South Africa for treatment less than 90 days, a visitor’s visa will be issued to the applicant.
  • Referral letter from a Nigerian medical doctor, specifying the nature of the health problem, and why a referral is needed.
  • An appointment letter from a South African medical doctor, with a landline number at the hospital, as well as a physical address is required.
  • Applications for medical purposes must:
    • Include a letter from a medical practitioner or medical institution, indicating the nature of the ailment, the reason/ necessity for treatment, the period of treatment and particulars of the appointment/s made in South Africa.
    • Include full details of the person or institution responsible for the medical expenses and hospital fees. If your medical scheme or employer will be liable for the expenses incurred, proof of medical cover must be submitted.
  • People who require medical treatment for longer than three months must apply for a temporary residency permit.
  • Emergency patients transported by emergency flights or vehicles will be allowed entry if they do not have a visa. Immigration officers will facilitate their entry by not applying clearance procedures.
  • However, the person in charge of the emergency travel must report the entry and presence of the patient as soon as possible to an office of the Department of Home Affairs.
  • An immigration officer will visit the patient and if necessary, will issue the necessary medical permit. If the patient does not have a valid passport, they will be issued with a permit to legalize his or her stay for the duration of his or her hospitalization.

South Africa Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Visitor Visa

19.45 (USD)

Business visa

19.45 (USD)

Medical visa

19.45 (USD)

South Africa Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Nigeria

Location

Address

Abuja

Diplomatic Zone Plot 371 Central Business District, Abuja.

www.dirco.gov.za/abuja/

dtiabuja@gmail.com

(+234) 9 462 4200

Lagos

24, Molade Okoya Thomas Street Victoria Island, Lagos

www.dirco.gov.za/lagos/

safrica@nigol.net.ng

(+234) 1 461 2067, (+234) 1 461 2981

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official language of South African?

South Africa is a country of diverse languages, it currently has 11official  languages. These are Afrikaans, Southern Ndebele, Xhosa, Zulu, Swazi, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda and English. English is usually spoken as a second language.

Which currency is accepted in South Africa?

South Africa's currency is South African Rand (ZAR). This is what is generally accepted as the legal means of payment in the country. Large supermarkets and hotels accept credit cards and US dollars but local markets accept only cash in ZAR.

Are meals expensive in South Africa?

South Africa boasts of delicious meals at relatively low prices. An eat-out lunch in an average establishment will cost you between R60 and R130 per person and decent 30cm pizza will cost you between R65 and R95.

Can foreigners rent houses in South Africa?

Yes. Many real estate agents in South Africa offer rental services to foreigners. The rental properties are mostly available on unfurnished long term lease, but furnished properties on offer with 1 to 12 month lease agreements are also available.

What is the best place to visit when on tourism?