South Africa: independent visa application for Russians in 2021

From March 31, 2021, a visa to South Africa is not required for Russians. As well as for South African citizens to enter Russia.

Russians can stay in the country for 90 days without a visa . This privilege is intended for tourists only. If the purpose of your trip to this African country is different or you plan to spend more than three months in the homeland of Nelson Mandela, then visa permission must be obtained in advance.

South Africa is also loyal to the validity period of a foreign passport. At the end of the trip, it must be valid for another 30 days. Moreover, both holders of new-generation biometric foreign passports and those who still have an old-style document are allowed into the territory of this state without any problems. However, there are conditions that the passport must have two blank pages for stamping.

Ukrainians and Belarusians will not be able to visit South Africa without a visa in 2021.

Panoramic view of Cape Town, the legislative capital of South Africa

South Africa is famous for its wonderful and rich flora and fauna. The famous Limpopo River flows from the city of Pretoria, the administrative capital of the Republic of South Africa. How to get to this country?

Categories and types of visas

The following information remains current for 2021. South Africa issues different types of visas depending on the specific purpose of travel. But the consulate in all cases requests many additional documents, and it is often difficult to predict what may be necessary. Therefore, they are often called for an interview.

According to the latest changes, for tourist or business trips not exceeding 90 days, Russians do not need a visa in 2021.

For all other types of visas, the requirements remain the same. The following types of visas can be issued for a maximum of 90 days:

• working;
• educational;
• student exchange;
• internships;
• to participate in competitions;
• research;
• medical;
• fiancée or fiancee visa (requirements are the same as for a visitor visa).

Transit visa

Only the South African transit visa is not subject to this rule for obvious reasons: transit is only for travel at the Republic's international airports for travel to border countries (either for 24 hours while waiting for a transfer at the airport, or for 48 hours for land transfer to another airport) .

It is important to have a visa to your final destination country in advance. To obtain a transit visa, the consulate will request round-trip tickets and a certificate from work that you will be released for the period indicated on the tickets (a sample certificate from work in Russian can be downloaded here, in English here).

Tourist visa

To visit South Africa in 2021 for leisure purposes, you only need a foreign passport.

Visitor visa

In the case of a guest visa, you will need copies of personal documents of the inviting person (including paid utility bills for the applicant’s future place of residence and bank statements for three months), the original invitation.

For other types of trips, an invitation from a South African company or educational institution is required with a detailed description of the timing of the visit and the tasks set for the applicant.

A guarantee must be written that after the trip the applicant will return to work or study. If the employer gives you leave, then the company letterhead indicates the period for which you are being released.

Student visa

As for the student exchange visa, it is required to confirm the applicant’s participation in the exchange program.

South African Department of Education logo

A letter from the South African Department of Education confirming this program at one of the universities, a notarized translation of a diploma or a certificate from the institute about the completion date, South African health insurance and a letter of guarantee from the exchange organizers about the responsibility for the student and his return to his homeland.

Who is allowed visa-free entry into the country?

From 1797 to 1994, South Africa was part of the British colony, although this was expressed in different ways from century to century. Nevertheless, even now the country’s politics, which for a long time divided the “black” and “white” populations, have not completely moved away from the Western way of life. In this regard, the whole world is divided into countries for which a visa regime has been introduced, and those for which it is not.

On March 31, 2021, the President signed an updated document on migration legislation, including the country’s visa regime.

The website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs provides information on countries and cases of visa-free regime. An interesting fact is that the category of military personnel of any country called to serve on the side of the South African armed forces (regardless of the length of service) is exempt from the need for a visa.

We list the main categories of countries to which entry is open and types of passports.

• Countries whose citizens are allowed to enter South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days (any type of passport) are the EU countries, the USA, Australia, Russia (in 2021) and a number of African states, the UK and all its British Isles are also included in this category;

  This is what a visa to South Africa looks like

• Countries for whose citizens entry into South Africa is open for up to 30 days (any type of passport): a number of African states, the Caribbean, the South Asian conclave, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Turkey;
• Citizens who have diplomatic or service passports can stay in the country for different periods of time. It all depends on the agreements with the South African government: Albania, Hungary, Paraguay, Slovenia - 120 days; Angola, Cuba, Belarus, Bulgaria, Mexico, Russia - 90 days; Morocco, Algeria, China, Egypt - 30 days.

When do you need a visa to South Africa?

A visa will be required if the trip is expected to last more than 90 days.

In order to obtain a visa to South Africa, you need to pay attention to all the requirements for the content, execution of documents and the rules for their submission:

• Only original documents are provided;
• papers must be drawn up in English or accompanied by a notarized translation;
• applications are accepted only in the personal presence of the applicant;
• An authorized representative is allowed to receive a foreign passport back if there is a receipt for payment of the consular fee.

Before traveling, it is advisable to make sure that there is no ban on traveling abroad. After all, this is possible, for example, due to unpaid debts, the existence of which the applicant might not know.

On the website nevylet.rf you can quickly and easily obtain comprehensive information about all possible unpaid debts, find out whether there is a ban on traveling abroad, and pay off the debt online.

Visa categories

The type of visa issued directly depends on the purpose of the trip stated by the applicant.

Visitor visa

Required when traveling to South Africa to visit relatives, acquaintances, or friends by invitation.

Business

Open to persons who are going on a business trip for the purpose of negotiating, establishing business contacts, and resolving other business issues with colleagues from South African companies.

Educational

Issued to those who intend to take educational courses, trainings, and other educational programs conducted in the Republic.

Medical visa

It is requested by citizens who need treatment in medical institutions located in South Africa.

To participate in conferences

This type of visa is also issued to those traveling to sporting competitions and other cultural events, for which participation requires obtaining an appropriate permit to enter the country.

Durban, South Africa

How much does a visa cost?

The cost of the consular fee is 2000 rubles. You should prepare cash in advance, since payments are not made by bank cards; attach the receipt to the collected package of documents for obtaining an entry permit.

You need to wait 5 working days for a ready decision after reviewing your visa application. In rare cases, when a visa officer requests additional paperwork or requires verification of the provided data, the process may take up to 7 working days.

Documents for a visa to South Africa

During your reception at the Embassy you must provide the following documents to obtain a visa:

1. completed and signed application form;
2. Foreign passport (valid for 30 days from the date of departure from South Africa, with 2 blank pages); photo;
3. Documentary confirmation of ticket booking (it is not recommended to purchase tickets before receiving a visa). If the request is for a multiple-entry visa, then ticket reservations are required for all planned trips;
4. bank account statement (fund flow for the last 3 months, account balance).

Requirements for the photo: size 3x4 cm, production date no more than six months ago, use a light background, full-face image with a neutral facial expression. It is prohibited to use glasses, hats, or other items that can cover the face or part of it (exceptions may be medical indications for wearing glasses, religious beliefs - in terms of mandatory wearing of a headdress).

The requirement for the questionnaire is to write with a black pen, in block letters, or enter the data on the computer and print it out. The filling language is English.

Documents for different types of visas

To the above list of the basic package of papers, you need to add additional documents, the content of which is determined by the purpose of the trip to South Africa.

For a guest visit:

original letter of invitation from a resident of South Africa and a copy of his passport. The document must indicate the guest’s residential address, guarantee financial security during their stay in the country at the expense of the inviter, and indicate the timing of the visit.

Business trip:

• an official letter from the host company (indicating the purpose of the visit and travel dates is mandatory);
• a letter on the official letterhead of the local employing company, which also indicates the date of departure and the purpose of the business trip.

Studies:

written confirmation from the educational institution about the applicant’s participation in the course, the start and end dates of the educational process.

Arrival for the purpose of treatment:

documentary confirmation from the attending physician about the need for treatment, diagnosis, justification for why a similar course cannot be carried out in the applicant’s country of residence.

Participation in conferences, sporting events:

The host organizing company must confirm in writing that the applicant is on the list of participants for a particular event.

Careful attention to the collection of a complete list of documents and their correct execution reduces the risk of being refused a South African visa.

Nature of South Africa

List and requirements for documents for long-term visas

Before moving on to the list of documents and requirements, I would like to highlight separately the need to purchase round-trip tickets after confirming that a visa has been issued.

Question: Do I need to reserve tickets at the time of submitting documents to the Consulate? Answer: definitely.

1. Firstly, documents for a long-term visa are submitted during a personal visit to the consulate (for minors a parent applies); Anyone can pick up a passport with a visa with a receipt for payment of the fee. This rule was introduced on October 1, 2014.
2. Secondly, all documents must be in English or with a translation into it; The exception is a bank account statement.
3. Thirdly, documents for any type of visa can be submitted no earlier than two months before the day of travel.
4. Fourth, you may be called for an interview; This action should not be considered as a refusal to extradite or doubt; you only have to answer clarifying questions about your upcoming visit to the country and your residence in Russia.

Arrival at South African airport

Please note that the visa processing period is at least 5 working days (in some cases, the period can reach six weeks). To obtain a visa to South Africa, you need to collect the following documents (requirements for adults):

1. If the visit is over 90 days, then a completed application form (in English); only in black pen in block letters and without blots.
2. One photograph is pasted into the upper left corner of the application form (we will describe the requirements for the photograph below).
3. The foreign passport must be valid for one more month from the end of the trip.
4. The passport must have two blank pages (for visas and border entry and exit stamps); Pages reserved for photographs of children and additional notes are not considered appropriate.
5. A copy of the marriage certificate.
6. Bank account statement for the last three months indicating the current balance; Certificate 2-NDFL may be additionally requested.
7. Yellow fever vaccination certificate (if you are coming from African or Asian countries).

   Sample certificate for yellow fever

8. Reservation of round-trip tickets (not purchase); In case of multiple crossings of the South African border, ticket reservations are required for each entry and exit, regardless of the type of transport at the time of crossing the border.
9. Payment of the fee for issuing a visa (in 2021 it is 2500 rubles).

Photo requirements

• Colored, 30 * 40 mm;
• Current at the time of submission;
• The face is open;
• You can wear regular glasses as long as you don't take them off;
• Made only in a photo studio;
• On a white background.

If the photograph does not meet the requirements, it will be asked to replace it; this may lengthen the visa processing time.

Documents for a minor child

Separately, it is worth highlighting the requirements for visa documents if a child is traveling with one of the parents or a relative, as well as alone. In this case the following is served:

• Notarized and translated into English birth certificate;

• Notarized and translated into English consent to travel to South Africa;
• If both parents are traveling, then take a copy of the birth certificate with a simple translation into English with you on the trip.

If one of the parents has a diplomatic passport that does not require a visa, then submit:

• Notarized and translated into English birth certificate;
• Notarized and translated into English consent to travel to South Africa only from the parent-diplomat.

Features of traveling with animals

The only exceptions are guide dogs. To import a dog or cat, you need an international vaccination certificate and an implanted tracking chip (in case the animal goes missing)

Visa-free regime between South Africa and Russia

Russians can come to South Africa without a visa and stay on the territory of the state for 90 days continuously or cumulatively, but no more than once a year.

The package of documents for entry is minimal, the attitude towards Russian travelers is positive.

Cape Town, South Africa

What documents are needed for entry

At the checkpoint you need to provide a foreign passport and a return ticket.

Please note the requirements that the travel document must meet:

• at the time of departure from South Africa, the validity of the passport must be at least 30 days;
• the presence of two blank pages for affixing an entry stamp.

The law does not require the mandatory purchase of health insurance, but it is issued using common sense. After all, foreigners in the country are served by expensive private clinics. Moreover, it would not be a bad idea to add additional options (for example, insurance for loss of documents). Crime rates are high in this part of Africa.

Using the Cherehapa instant online insurance service, tourists choose the best offer from a list of reliable insurance companies.

Contrary to popular belief, yellow fever vaccination is not strictly required. An exception is the arrival of a tourist to South Africa from a certain country in which there is a possibility of contracting this disease; a list of them can be found here.

Documents for children

To travel with children, you need to prepare in advance the documents that will inevitably be needed when crossing the South African border.

Important! A prerequisite is that a minor has his own foreign passport, regardless of age. If the child’s data is included in the parents’ passports, entry is prohibited.

The requirements for a child's passport are the same as for adults - validity of 30 days from the date of departure, blank pages.

A birth certificate is also provided to prove relationship. The document must be translated into English, the translation certified by a notary.

If a minor is not traveling with his parents, then a consent for the child to travel abroad should be prepared and the document must be certified by a notary. When traveling only with your father or mother, you will need a similar permit from the parent who remains in the homeland.

Pretoria, South Africa

Representative offices of South Africa in Moscow

To submit documents and obtain a visa on the territory of the Russian Federation, you must contact the South African Embassy in Moscow, the consular section of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

To find out about your visa status, you need to call the department after 14:00.

Also, the diplomatic mission in our country is located in Vladivostok at the address: Postysheva Street, building 7a.

For citizens of Belarus and Ukraine there are corresponding missions in Minsk, Kyiv and Odessa.

To Africa without a visa: what Russian tourists need to know about South Africa

On Thursday, March 30, a visa-free regime between Russia and the Republic of South Africa (RSA) comes into force. Any Russian with a foreign passport will be able to stay in this African country for up to 90 days. Why you should definitely take the opportunity to visit South Africa, explains the head of the department for relations with Asia and China of the TASS International Relations Department, orientalist and Africanist Evgenia Tikhonova.

What do I need to consider when preparing for my trip to South Africa? Do I need to get any vaccines?

The main requirement is a foreign passport valid for at least 30 days after the end date of the intended visit to South Africa. The passport must have at least two blank pages so that the customs officer can stamp it.

No vaccinations are required to travel to South Africa. An exception: a yellow fever vaccination certificate, but this will only be required if you are coming from a country where you can contract the disease. A list of countries where yellow fever is endemic can be found here.

What options/destinations/routes do I have? What is the best way to plan, for example, a two-week vacation?

Two weeks for South Africa is absolutely not enough. The country is large, each province has its own attractions. Generally speaking, you can head south to Cape Town and drive along the famous Garden Route along the south coast, visit vineyards, take a light aircraft piloting course, watch whales in Mossel Bay (this bay is famous for the fact that it was where the Vasco da expedition came ashore Gama in the 15th century), get an adrenaline rush from swimming in the ocean with great white sharks, look at the confluence of two oceans at Cape Agulhas.

Or, choose Johannesburg as your starting point, get from there to the Kruger National Park and spend a couple of days on a safari, then go down the east coast to Durban, along the way visiting the province of Mpumalanga and the observation deck “God’s Window”, examining the province of Limpopo and its famous swamps and watching the hippos, and return to Johannesburg through the stunningly beautiful Golden Gate National Park.

What places are not considered tourist places, but you still need to visit them?

There are no such places in South Africa. Not counting, perhaps, the mountainous kingdom of Lesotho (its territory is completely surrounded by South Africa), but this is more like an adventurous adventure. In addition, in Lesotho you need a visa, and the process of obtaining it is a topic for a separate story.

Are there any trusted and comprehensive guides to the country?

There are no exhaustive guides; everyone uses what seems most convenient to him. Popular Lonely Planet guides mainly describe tourist spots, leaving the most interesting behind the scenes. Therefore, the best “guide” is personal impressions and stories from friends who have been there, whose opinions you trust.

Is it better to go on your own or through a tour operator?

Again, it all depends on your own convenience and travel habits. Of course, the tour operator will offer the most relaxed option, where everything is calculated. But it’s much more interesting to choose hotels yourself, work out travel routes and make a plan for visiting attractions. Then the trip turns into a real adventure.

Russian Embassy in South Africa

Russians live in South Africa along with other foreign nationals. The Russian Embassy in South Africa is open from 8:30 to 11:30 on weekdays. The functions of the Russian diplomatic mission are quite broad: they issue a birth certificate, a certificate for maternity capital, issue visas and help our citizens who find themselves in difficult situations. The mission extends to the Kingdom of Lesotho. Embassy address: Pretoria, 316 Brooks Street, Menlo Park. Contact phone number +27 (12) 362-13-37.

Features of entering South Africa with a child

To pass border control, children must have:

• your own international passport, regardless of age, with the same conditions as for adults;
• birth certificate.

In case of traveling abroad with one of the parents:

• permission from the second one staying at home;
• death certificate of the second parent;
• a court decision to deprive the second parent of his rights.

All Russian documents for children must have translations into English certified by a notary.

Sights of South Africa

This country, whose short name is South Africa, is located at the very bottom of the African continent. It is surrounded on all sides by small states with very low standards of living and healthcare, and inside the country there is an enclave - the Kingdom of Lesotho, which was once part of the British lands, like the Republic of South Africa itself.

Unlike its neighbors, South Africa is the most developed country on the continent; it also has a certain economic weight in the world. Therefore, many people seek to move to South Africa for a long time and obtain African citizenship. There has never been a political revolution in the country, despite the apartheid regime with its nationalist reforms.

A population of different races lives here (about 50 million people): black Africans, “whites” and Asians; there are many mestizos, descendants of mixed marriages. That is why the country was nicknamed “rainbow”.

Amazing fact: the country has three capitals.

1. Pretoria (administrative with government).
2. Cape Town (legislative with parliament).
3. Bloemfontein (legal with supreme court).

In addition to these three beautiful cities, there are other “British” cities in the country - Johannesburg and Durban. In general, tourists from all over the world flock to South Africa to visit its National Parks (West Coast, Mokala, Mountain Zebra, Golden Gate Highlands and others).

List of documents for obtaining a permit

If a person is sure that his visit will last more than 3 months, he must take care of documents in advance. A visa will be needed for employment, a work trip or participation in a scientific event. This paper is not available only to tourists.

Documents for a visa to South Africa:

• Valid passport (with 2 blank pages);
• A completed application form;
• Book round-trip air tickets;
• Photos of the established sample 3*4 cm.

Giraffes and zebras in the Kruger National Park.
The park is home to more mammal species than any other South African game reserve. Its rivers are home to large numbers of hippopotamuses and crocodiles, and buffalo and Kudu antelope are concentrated near the banks. Safari is a popular pastime for local and foreign tourists. This list of documents applies to all types of visas. The form must be filled out in black pen in English. You can ask translators for help. There should be no marks on the paper. A document is not considered valid if it contains grammatical errors.

It is advisable to take a photograph immediately before submitting documents. You should not provide outdated images, especially if they differ greatly from reality.

The reservation is attached to the documents. There is no need to buy tickets in advance, as your visa may be refused. If the permit is approved, you should immediately purchase them and take the originals to the embassy. If a citizen does not buy tickets on time, the visa will be revoked.

Proof of solvency

Necessary procedure when applying for a visa to South Africa. In order to confirm financial security, a citizen provides:

• Certificate of employment confirming employment (for officially employed citizens). It states monthly and annual earnings;
• Letter from the place of work. It indicates the employee’s length of service and confirms the provision of leave for the period of visiting South Africa;
• Completed application in the prescribed form 2-NDFL;
• Extract from the tax service (for working persons without official employment);
• Extract from the pension fund (for pensioners);
• Student ID, bank statement, photocopy of passport and sponsorship letter (for students).

It is advisable to start preparing the papers 1-2 months in advance.

Durban. Most of the city and its suburbs are located on fairly high (up to 700 meters) and steep hills; flat areas are found only on the coast. Durban has a subtropical oceanic climate with long, hot and rainy summers and short and warm winters. Frosts occur very rarely and only in the western hilly part of the city.

Invitation

Regardless of the purpose of the visit, a Russian citizen must provide a letter of invitation from an individual holding South African citizenship. It may also be provided by an educational institution or work organization. The more detailed the foreigner describes the purpose of the visit, the greater the chances of approval he will have. An invariable column in the invitation letter is information about the receiving party. University students must provide an invitation from an educational organization in the Republic of South Africa.

Birth certificate for minors

When applying for a visa for persons under 18 years of age, a foreign passport is required. The birth certificate should be translated into English and certified by a translation agency or lawyer. It is also important to provide applications from parents or guardians confirming approval for the departure of the minor. The inability to provide these documents must be officially justified.

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

Various diseases are widespread in African countries. Before traveling, you must be vaccinated against yellow fever. Russians do not have to fulfill this condition, but vaccination will serve as insurance against contracting a dangerous disease.

South Africa is a major wine producer. The first South African wine was produced in 1659. A number of unique varieties are produced here: Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Riesling, Merlot, Shiraz, Cabernet, hybrids Pinotage, Cinsault and Pinot Noir. A widespread grape from the Loire Valley is Chenin Blanc, called here Stine. The main local specialty is the Pinotage variety for the production of red wine.

Additional documents to be attached

There are additional papers that also need to be prepared. These include:

• Certificate of employment indicating the name of the company, position, salary and initials of the boss (for officially employed persons). The paper must be translated into English and be notarized;
• Medical insurance in South Africa for damage coverage up to 30,000 USD;
• A deposit of $1,500 guarantees that the foreign national will voluntarily leave the country.

The last nuance is somewhat surprising, since the standard of living in the country is low, and many residents are below the poverty line.

Foreign policy of the Republic of South Africa

The country's international isolation lasted until the end of apartheid in 1994; It was then that the country began to develop its foreign policy, conclude international agreements and restore the economy.

Map of major industries in South Africa

The state is a member of several international organizations; the largest: ACP (has a separate agreement with the EU), UN (independently since 1961) and BRICS (since 2011). Membership in such organizations helps the country develop, carry out reforms and receive donations for the development of healthcare (prevention and treatment of AIDS; more than 11% of the adult population is infected).

South Africa has bilateral relations with six African countries neighboring the border. And the seventh country, which is not surprising, is the Russian Federation. The history of our relationship began with the continuity of relations with the USSR in 1992.

Only in 2006, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a friendly act of partnership between the two countries.

This fact could not but affect the visa regime between our countries.

Detailed map of South Africa

South Africa visa centers in Russia

South Africa visa centers in Russia are located in several major cities.

Moscow

• Located at: Tverskaya street, building 20/1, office 523.
• Open: Monday-Friday from 10:00 to 19:00, Saturday from 14:00 to 17:00.
• Call the number.

Saint Petersburg

• Located at the address: Vvedensky Kanal Street, building 7, office 420. Business center “Farvater”.
• Open on weekdays from 9:00 to 20:00.
• Call the number.