Vacation visa
German citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days. The passport must be valid for at least 30 days after departure and must be available on this 2 blank pages.
In addition, the following is generally required for entry:
- Proof of the reason for your stay
- Flight ticket for the return or onward journey
- Proof of sufficient financial means (at least 3,000 Rand)
- Residential address of the intended place of residence in South Africa
- Yellow fever vaccination card (if you are entering from an area at risk of yellow fever)
- If children (under 18 years of age) are traveling, a birth certificate (original or notarized) in English must be presented. If only one parent is traveling, a declaration of consent from the other parent must be carried with you.
Work visa (up to 3 months)
If approved, authorization to perform work under the terms of the visitor visa would be confirmed.
The following documents must be presented to the South African Embassy in Berlin for the application:
- Original passport
- Copy of passport
- Completed application form (to the PDF form)
- 1 recent biometric photo
- Evidence of employment (from the company you will be working for)
- Proof of activity from the company from abroad (e.g. Germany)
- Proof (original bank statement) of sufficient financial resources (at least 3,000 rand)
- Copy of the original bank statements
- Proof of payment of the fee for the visa
- A DHL (ExpressEasy Prepaid National)
envelope The envelope is required to return the applicant’s passport
Documents accompanying the visa application must be originals or copies that have been certified by the issuing authority in the country of origin and, if necessary, translated into English.
Applications must be paid by electronic transfer at least 5 working days prior to submission. Depending on where the application is submitted, the corresponding payment must be received, either at the embassy in Berlin or at the consulate general in Munich. Cash payments are only possible directly at Commerzbank, which incurs additional costs of € 6.50.
The cost of this work visa is 33 € and is calculated with a processing time of 5 – 10 working days.
Immigration regulations
The long-term visas (TEMPORARY RESIDENCE VISA) give you the opportunity to live in the country for a few years. The following applies to each of these visas: The application must be submitted to the South African Embassy in Berlin – processing time up to 8 weeks.
According to allcitycodes, appropriate permission for a visa (e.g. visitor visa, study visa for children of legal age) of more than 3 months can be granted to the spouse and dependent children accompanying the holder of the visa.
The following documents must be printed out and completed in order to submit the medical certificates:
- Medical report – Link PDF
- Radiological report – link to PDF
Retiree Visa
People who want to retire in South Africa can apply for a retiree visa. This visa allows a stay of up to 4 years and can be extended several times. In addition, the Ministry of the Interior can authorize the holder of the visa to work in the Republic of South Africa under certain conditions.
The following documents must be submitted:
- Completed form (link to PDF form)
- Passport with at least 1 blank page for a visa (valid for 30 days after the end of the intended visit)
- Copy of the passport
- 2 current passport photos in color
- Photocopy of a valid residence permit (if applicable)
- Proof of fee payment over € 33.00
- Yellow fever vaccination card (if you are entering from an area at risk of yellow fever)
- Medical and radiological reports not older than 6 months
- Income per month with at least 37,000 Rand or a fortune from which one receives a minimum net worth of 37,000 Rand
- Criminal record certificate
- A DHL (ExpressEasy Prepaid National)
envelope The envelope is required to return the applicant’s passport
Work visa (up to a maximum of 5 years)
A general work visa is issued for a maximum period of 5 years.
The following documents must be submitted:
- Completed form (link to PDF form)
- Passport with at least 1 blank page for a visa (valid for 30 days after the end of the intended visit)
- Copy of the passport
- 2 current passport photos in color
- Ministry of Labor certificate
- Written commitment from the employer / company in the Republic of South Africa
- Full details of the employer and proof of company registration
- Proof of qualifications, assessed by SAQA (http://www.saqa.org.za) and translated into English by a sworn translator
- Proof of fee payment over € 118.00
- Yellow fever vaccination card (if you are entering from an area at risk of yellow fever)
- Medical and radiological reports not older than 6 months
- Criminal record certificate
- A DHL (ExpressEasy Prepaid National)
envelope The envelope is required to return the applicant’s passport
Work visa based on special skills / qualifications
The visa is issued for a maximum period of 5 years.
Persons who have special skills such as those from the following list are entitled to an exhibition:
- Link to the PDF form
The following documents must be submitted:
- Completed form (link to PDF form)
- Evidence that the applicant falls into the critical competence category
- If the applicant already had a job before submitting the application, a copy (certified) of the employment contract must be submitted
- Passport with at least 1 blank page for a visa (valid for 30 days after the end of the intended visit)
- Copy of the passport
- 2 current passport photos in color
- Proof of parental responsibility (in the case of accompanying children)
- Marriage certificate (in English)
- Ministry of Labor certificate
- Written commitment from the employer / company in the Republic of South Africa
- Proof of fee payment over € 118.00
- Yellow fever vaccination card (if you are entering from an area at risk of yellow fever)
- Medical and radiological reports not older than 6 months
- Criminal record certificate
- A DHL (ExpressEasy Prepaid National)
envelope The envelope is required to return the applicant’s passport
Applications must be paid by electronic transfer at least 5 working days prior to submission. Depending on where the application is submitted, the corresponding payment must be received. Either at the embassy in Berlin or at the consulate general in Munich. Cash payments are only possible directly at Commerzbank, which incurs additional costs of € 6.50.
