Consular Section at the South African Embassy in Seoul provides immigration services and information on South African visas on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa. For more information, you may visit the website of the Department of Home Affairs: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services.

The Embassy is operating civic services on an appointment basis to improve its service delivery for clients. Please note that only those who have an appointment confirmed by e-mail are admitted to the chancery building. Therefore, please ensure that you make an appointment by e-mail ( consular.seoul@dirco.gov.za ) before visiting us for immigration/visa matters.

The following information is subject to change without prior notice.
 
 
 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

All the travellers must comply with the following requirements in the Republic of South Africa:

  • Machine -Readable Passport must have two (2) unused visa pages and expire in no less than 30 days after the intended departure from RSA.
  • Valid visa, if required.Click HERE to see which countries are currently exempt from South African visas.
  • Requirements for children under 18 years of age. Click HERE to see the updated advisory.
  • Sufficient funds to pay for your day-to-day expenses during your stay.
  • A return or onward ticket.
  • Yellow fever certificates for the travellers over one year of age, if your journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

If you are visiting SA for a business meeting or conference, it is advised to travel with an invitation or written proof thereof.

 

COUNTRIES EXEMPT FROM SOUTH AFRICAN VISAS

The citizen who is a holder of a national passport (diplomatic, official and ordinary) of the foreign countries/ territories/ international organisations listed below is not required to hold a visa when reporting to an immigration officer for an examination at a South African port of entry, subject to the terms and conditions set out in this list, including inter alia the intended period of stay in the Republic of South Africa.

Follow the link to see the updated LIST OF VISA EXEMPT COUNTRIES by the Department of Home Affairs.

[IMPORTANT] Visas are not issued at South African ports of entry, and airline officials are obliged to insist on visas before allowing passengers to board. If you arrive without a visa, immigration officials are obliged to put you onto a flight back to your home country.

If you visit for the purposes other than transit, tourism, holidays, conferences, business meetings, OR your intended stay in RSA exceeds your exempted period (90 days or 30 days), you will need to apply for a visa at the South African diplomatic mission in your country of origin or permanent/long-term residence.

 
 

TYPES OF VISAS

A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed at a South African Embassy in Seoul and that the consular officer has determined you are eligible to enter the Republic of South Africa for a specific purpose. 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 the Republic 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. The type of visa you apply for depends on the purpose of your travel and your length of stay. Please see what types of visas are available for travel to South Africa to determine which visa to apply for before you visit the Embassy. We cannot advise you which visa to apply for.

1. TRANSIT VISA in terms of Section 10B of the Act
A transit visa may be issued to the visa restricted passport holders who is proceeding from a place outside South Africa to a destination outside South Africa. All non-visa exempt foreigners approach South African port of entry for transiting purposes en route to neighbouring countries are required to apply for a transit visa.

In terms of Section 10B(4)(a) of the Immigration Act, the Department of Home Affairs has exempted the travellers transiting through the following international airports from transit visas, except for the ordinary passport holders of Pakistan and Bangladesh:

  • OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
  • Cape Town International Airport
  • King Shaka Airport (Durban)
  • Lanseria Airport

Travellers transiting these airports must be subjected to biometric capturing and remain inside the transit facility. To be able to submit the application for a transit visa, where applicable, please see below "VISITOR'S VISA".

2.1 VISITOR’S VISA in terms of Section 11(1) of the Act

  • Tourism purposes, not exceeding 3 months
  • Visits to family or friends, not exceeding 3 months
  • Study purposes, not exceeding 3 months
  • Conferences or business meetings, not exceeding 3 months
  • To accompany the spouse or parent who is applying for a study/work visa
  • To join the spouse or parent who has a valid study or work visa in RSA
  • Teaching at an international school
  • To work in films and advertisements produced in RSA
  • Journalists seconded to the RSA by a foreign news agency
  • Academic research or visiting professors or lecturers
  • To perform or work in the entertainment industry
  • A tour leader or host of such a tour
  • Medical purposes, when a patient needs to receive life - saving treatment , not exceeding 3 months
  • Sport events
  • Accreditation or Ad-hoc visits to a diplomatic mission in RSA for diplomatic/official/service passport holders

2.2 VISITOR’S VISA in terms of Section 11(2) of the Act
An authorisation to conduct work under section 11(2) of the Immigration Act No.13 of 2002 is required to all foreigners including those from Visa Exempt countries, who are urgently requested to visit South Africa for special needs for the work to be done for a period of not exceeding 3 months.

It shall not be extended beyond the validity period of the visa issued in terms of section 11(1) (a) of the Act. In line with the above provisions, the first issue of a section 11(2) visa may be issued for not more than 3 months. Where a further extension is required within the Republic, an extension may be allowed for a final period not exceeding 3 months. Any person who has been issued with a section 11(2) visa and had it extended for another 3 months shall NOT qualify for a section 11(2) visa within the same calendar year. If a visa was issued with dates that overlap into a new calendar year, the dates falling into the new calendar year will be calculated as part of the new calendar year.

A visitor’s visa 11(2) is NOT issued for freelance self-employed persons, contract workers, exotic dancers, project managers, casual labour, seasonal labour who do not fall into this discretionary authorisation.

The authorisation cannot be used in lieu of a work permit for an on-going regular work activity. This is not a casual work visa and addresses an immediate short term or urgent need of a limited duration of work activity that cannot be met by an application for a work visa. When granted, the authorisation should be for specified limited time-frame, to work for a specific entity and at a specific place, for instance, economic, medical, academic, sporting, cultural or social (e.g. religious) application. The specific entity of the abovementioned must identify itself and be a bona fide corporate body, medical or academic institution, sports body, social entity or cultural body, and in case of a sports body, cultural body or event, account must be taken of the bona fide of the advertised fixtures or performances and proof furnished. An application must be made in writing to the Director-General by the entity for which the applicant will be carrying out work, making the case for why the person cannot make an application for a work permit and furthermore provide reasons why the limited work envisaged is urgent and necessary.

3. STUDY VISA in terms of Section 13 of the Act
A study visa may be issued in a prescribed manner to a foreigner intending to study in South Africa for a period longer than 3 months.

4. BUSINESS VISA in terms of Section 15 of the Act
Foreigners who are contemplating investing in the South African economy by establishing a business or by investing in an existing business in the country must apply for a business visa. As an applicant, you will be required to invest a prescribed financial capital contribution.

5. CREW VISA in terms of Section 16 of the Act

6. MEDICAL TREATMENT VISA in terms of Section 17 of the Act

7. RELATIVE VISA in terms of Section 18 of the Act
A relative visa may be issued for a maximum period of 24 months to a member of the immediate family of a South African citizen or permanent resident.

8.1 GENERAL WORK VISA
A general work visas is issued to foreigners where it has been proven beyond reasonable doubt that South African citizens and permanent residents with the relevant qualifications or skills and experience are not available for appointment. Prior to submitting an application for a general work visa, the applicant’s prospective employer is required to apply to the Department of Labour for a certificate.

8.2 CRITICAL SKILLS WORK VISA
A critical skills work visa may be issued to an individual possessing such skills or qualifications determined to be critical for the Republic of South Africa, accordance with the list of critical skills (click HERE). The list was developed in conjunction with the occupations in high demand and the scarce skills lists of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The main objective of the critical skills work visa is to assist the government to realise the achievement of the National Infrastructure Project, the Strategic Infrastructure Projects and Key National Strategic Projects in support of the Department of Trade and Industry.

8.3 INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFER WORK VISA
Occasionally, multi-national companies may decide to transfer an existing employee from a foreign branch to a branch in South Africa. These employees must apply for intra-company transfer work visa. Intra-company transfer work visas are issued for a maximum period of four years and are not renewable or extendable.

9. RETIRED PERSON VISA in terms of Section 20 of the Act
A persons who wish to retire in South Africa may apply for a retired person visa, provided that he or she receives at least R37,000 per month from a pension fund or an irrevocable retirement annuity.

 

It is advised that the applicant apply for a visa well before the intended date of departure from Korea. Processing times can vary due to application volumes, seasonal peaks, complex cases, and individual circumstances where additional information or documentation is requested by our Consul during the evaluation process. We advise the applicants do NOT purchase flight tickets until their visa is ready to be collected at the Embassy. The South African Embassy in Seoul will not be liable for any financial loss incurred by clients whose visa application is finalised later than expected or where an application is unsuccessful.

Should you visit RSA for the purposes other than above, please contact our Consular Section individually: consular.seoul@dirco.gov.za

 
 

HOW TO APPLY FOR A VISA

All visa applications must be lodged in person to at the South African Embassy in Seoul, by prior appointment only. Please see the procedures to apply for a visa at the Embassy:

  1. Before you start, you must know whether you need a South African visa or not, and which type of visas you want to apply for –please read the different visa types and information above. If you have determined the visa applicable to you, go to the next page and download the check-list. You can see all the required documents and detailed information about each requirement in the check-list and ‘FAQ’ menu in ‘Visitors to RSA’ tab on the top.
  2. If all your documents are ready, please send it to the Consular Section by e-mail or fax. Scan the completed check-list and each requirement in the order listed in your check-list. Write applicant’s full names, visa type, and the intended departure date from Korea for the title of your e-mail message. Attach the files of your scanned documents and send it to consular.seoul@dirco.gov.za or fax (02-793-5981). Please note that the e-mailed application is NOT considered as submission of your visa application. This is to review your documentation before your application is lodged with the South African Embassy in Seoul with payment.
  3. Upon receipt of the scanned documents, we will review your documents and contact you for any follow-up enquiries based on the documentation provided. Due to the high volume of queries and applications that we receive daily, it could take 5-10 working days to receive our feedback.
  4. If there is any outstanding document to complete your application(s), we will advise you accordingly. And then, you will need to send us the revised/additional document as advised.
  5. If all the required documents are completed and confirmed with us by e-mail, you are ready to submit the application to the Embassy in person. Appointment booking is required for all the visitors to Embassy. An appointment signifies the date and time when EACH applicant should appear at the consular office of the South African Embassy in Seoul. We will send you a booking confirmation by e-mail. Please confirm the date and time of your appointment in our e-mail message.
  6. When you visit the Embassy that day, don’t forget to bring all the scanned/faxed documents in original together with the completed check-list with you. Incomplete applications will NOT be accepted by our officials.

The South African Embassy in Seoul ONLY accepts complete applications as instructed by, and as per the requirements of, the Department of Home Affairs. Please be advised that this is in line with regulation 9(1) of the Immigration Regulations and the Immigration Act, 2002, which provide, amongst other things, that visas to stay temporarily in the Republic of South Africa must be submitted with all supporting documentation.

As each application is treated as an individual case, your application will be treated as unique and assessed individually. Consul of the South African Embassy in Seoul can request for additional information/documentation or an interview in certain circumstances. Visa refusals will be explained to the applicant in writing.

 
 

CHECK-LISTS FOR A VISA APPLICATION

Applicants can download the check-list for a visa appropriate to the purpose of your visit to the Republic of South Africa. You can find the detailed information about each requirement in the ‘FAQ’ menu in ‘Visitors to RSA’ tab on the top this webpage. These check-lists are to apply for a visa at the South African Embassy in Seoul ONLY.
DOWNLOADABLE FORMS
  • DHA-84 (Application for port of entry visa or transit visa): Transit Visa, Visitor’s Visa, Diplomatic Visa, Diplomatic/Official Visa
  • DHA-1738 (Application for visa to temporarily sojourn in the Republic ): Study Visa, Business Visa, Relative Visa, Retired Persons Visa, Work Visa, etc.
  • BI-811 (Medical Certificate)
  • BI-806 (Radiological Report)

For further assistance and advice on the forms, please visit the website of the Department of Home Affairs (CLICK) or you may contact the Department’s CONTACT CENTRE by e-mail (hacc@dha.gov.za)

 

WAIVERS

Should a foreigner not be able to comply with the requirements for a visa, the employer or applicant may request the Department of the Home Affairs to exempt the applicant from submitting the relevant document(s).
For more information, CLICK
 

OVERSTAY APPEALS

Persons who are declared undesirable persons in terms of Section 30(1)(h) read with 50(1) of the Immigration Act, no 13 of 2002 as amended (no. 13 of 2011) must submit the written representative as indicated below. The following documents shall be submitted to the Department of Home Affairs:

  • Written representation;
  • The declaration of undesirability (Form 19) issued at the Port of Entry;
  • The relevant pages of the passport, including bio page;
  • Acknowledgment of receipt, in cases where the applicant has applied for a permit and the status is still pending. If the applicant overstayed due to medical reasons, a medical certificate must be submitted.

The appeal must be e-mailed to overstayappeals@dha.gov.za

Please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/overstay-appeals
 
 
 
   
   
   
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