South Africa

Visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website to complete the required eVisa application form.

Yes, your child must travel with a hard copy of their eVisa. We also recommend that, as a minor travelling without you, they carry both a parent/guardian NOC and a school NOC. 

The South African Embassy outsource their consular services to VFS Global.

During the visa application process, including scheduling the mandatory appointment, you will therefore be required to liaise directly with VFS Global.

Please kindly note, that it is the South African Embassy that ultimately make the final decision as to whether or not to approve or deny any visa to South Africa.

All steps have been outlined below for your reference:  

1. Schedule the mandatory visa appointment 

2. Collect and collate all required paperwork

3. Attend the visa appointment in-person

4. On average, the visa process takes 6 working days

5. Collect/receive passport with attached visa

6. All set – we hope your child has a great trip!

Parent/Guardian to provide:

• South African visa application checklist
• South African visa application form (DHA-84: Form 11)
• 2 x studio-quality passport photograph (<6 months old)
• Child's original passport (this must be the passport they will travel on) 
• Photocopy of child’s passport (this must be the passport they will travel on)
• Photocopy of child’s UAE residency visa
• Photocopy of child’s Emirates ID
• Photocopy of all child’s previous visas
• Photocopy of child’s birth certificate (English)
• Parental no objection certificate (NOC)
• Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) passport
• Photocopy of parent/guardian(s) UAE residency visa
• Salary certificate (From the child’s UAE sponsors employer)
• Trade licence (If child’s UAE sponsor is self-employed)
• Bank statements (Last 3 months, original, stamped by the bank, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor). Foreign accounts will not be considered.
• Pay slips (Last 3 months, in the name of the child’s UAE sponsor)
• Divorce certificate (If applicable)

Parent/Guardian to request from school:

• School no objection certificate – The NOC should include the child’s full name as per their passport, along with the details and ID copy of the accompanying teacher(s).

Parent/Guardian to request from trip provider:

• Invitation letter
• Flight confirmation
• Proof of accommodation 
• Full day-to-day itinerary
• Travel insurance

Unless extenuating circumstances, it is mandatory for both parent/guardian(s) to attend the biometric appointment with the travelling student. This requirement is of utmost importance.

On average, visa applications take 6 working days.

Yes, the South African Embassy/Consulate will keep your child’s passport whilst their application is being processed. 

It is important to understand, VFS Global cannot arrange additional appointments, or ‘squeeze one more person in.’ All appointments are pre-approved and released by the relevant authority.

If you are unable to secure an appointment with VFS Global, you will need to contact the embassy directly to request an appointment. However, please note that this is not guaranteed.