How to Apply for an SA Visa

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN TO CONSULT WHAT DOCUMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH TYPE OF VISA AND TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED FORMS

Every country has the sovereign right to decide who may or may not enter its territory. Possession of a visa does not guarantee automatic admission into South Africa. It only authorizes the holder to proceed to South Africa to report to an immigration officer at a port of entry for the purpose of being examined as to his/her ability, or otherwise, to comply with the (entry) requirements of the Act.

The purpose of a visa on the one hand is to ensure proper screening of applicants so that undesirable persons are not admitted into South Africa and, on the other hand, to facilitate the entry of approved applicants at South African ports of entry. Visas provide immigration officers with the necessary information to ensure that applicants are admitted for the correct purpose and period into the RSA.

Portuguese citizens (who are not dual citizens, i.e., who are not both South African and Portuguese citizens) travelling on Portuguese passports do not require a visa up to 90 days if the intended visit to South Africa is for tourism purposes, business meetings, international trade fairs or conferences, or when in transit through South Africa to other countries.

Please confirm: Do I need a visa ? https://www.embaixada-africadosul.pt/index.php/en/consular-services/visas-a-passports/do-i-need-a-visa15

All queries relating to visas are handled by the Consular Section at the South African Embassy in Lisbon.

Visas are considered by the South African missions abroad and must be affixed in the applicants' passports before departing to the RSA. Visas are not issued on arrival at South African ports of entry. Applicants arriving without visas will be refused entry into the RSA and deported to their country of origin.

To find out if you require a visa and/or pay South African visa tariffs, please see the list of countries exempt from visa control

Consular hours for public attendance are from 09:00 to 12:00, Monday to Thursday, BY PRIOR APPOINTMENT ONLY

For consular queries or to book/change/cancel an appointment, please call the general number +351 213 192 200 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For emergencies only (no visa or civic services queries and requests) please call +351 964 151 989

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The Embassy does not provide photocopying, printing or fax services to applicants.

Applicants must therefore ensure that they produce photocopies / print-outs together with original personal documents and applications, e.g. passports, identity documents, certificates, etc.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR VISA APPLICATION AT THE SA EMBASSY IN LISBON:

Incomplete applications are not accepted. Please be sure to fill in all information on the application forms and to produce all the required documents for your application.
All application forms must be fully filled in digitally or with a black ink pen, using legible handwriting.
All details provided by the applicant should be in accordance with the documents produced (e.g. name and surname in accordance with passport details).
Applicants must apply for the visas in person at the South African Embassy in Lisbon and sign the application forms in the presence of an Embassy Official.
All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English.
All documents issued by any country other than South Africa or Portugal must be certified by means of an Apostille or – if not party to the Hague Convention - by the Diplomatic representation in Portugal, duly accredited to the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Consulate does not have a photo booth at the moment.
All documents and letters or work contracts must be signed and stamped.
Only original documents are accepted. Originals must be produced with their respective photocopies.
If the applicant previously stayed in South Africa, or had a previous visa to South Africa for 12 months or more, the Embassy will only accept South African Police Clearance Certificates issued by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Processing time for visas: up to 21 working days.
If the applicant must produce outstanding / additional documents to clarify or substantiate his/her application, the processing timeframe will be suspended until such documents have been handed in.