REQUIREMENTS FOR A SOUTH AFRICAN VISITOR’S VISA

SOUTH AFRICAN EMBASSY: MEXICO

REQUIREMENTS FOR A SOUTH AFRICAN VISITOR’S VISA

Please read the description of each requirement below and append the fully completed [CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS FOR A SOUTH AFRICAN VISITOR’S VISA] to your DHA-84 visa application:

The following descriptions cover the total of 9 essential requirements for obtaining a visitor visa. Please download the document in electronic format from the VISAS section of the Embassy’s website: www.embajadasudafrica.mx.
Please note that visa requirements may vary among applicants depending on factors such as reason for visit, age, marital status, nationality, and even when traveling in a group.
If you are not traveling with minors, are not being invited to work or vacation in South Africa, or do not plan to stay in South Africa for more than 90 days, please focus only on the requirements that apply to you. If you are short on time, please read requirement No. 9 directly and make the necessary changes.

  1. A valid original passport with at least four (4) blank pages is required for the visa. The passport must remain valid for a period of not less than 30 days after the date of departure to South Africa. In addition, please include a photocopy of the front page showing the passport holder’s photograph and details.
  2. Complete the DHA-84 Visa Application form signed and handwritten in black ink. Enter the applicant’s e-mail address in the upper right hand corner of the form. In the case of family or business group applications, each submission must include its respective set of requirements.
  3. Two identical color photographs, white background, passport size (3.5 X 4.5 cm). The photographs should show a close-up of the head and the top of the shoulders, ensuring that the face occupies 70-80% of the frame.
    Images should be of high quality, free of ink marks, lines, wrinkles or damage and should show you looking directly into the camera, with clear visibility of facial features and adequate brightness and contrast. Do not glue photographs to the application.
  4. Visitor Visas to South Africa are free (FREE) exclusively for Mexican passport holders, provided their stay in South Africa does not exceed 90 days.
    The required non-refundable fee is $570.00 Mexican pesos per application for money transfers (not bank deposits) made within Mexico, or $47 USD per person, plus prevailing bank fees of $20 USD, for transfers made outside of Mexico.
    Any additional charges incurred for intermediary banking services should not be deducted from the prescribed fee of $570 Mexican pesos or $47 USD.
    * It is crucial that all NON-MEXICAN applicants include their name as it appears in their passport on the concept of the money transfer and provide a printed copy of the transaction receipt with their visa application.
  5. Proof of Financial Responsibility: The cover pages of the 3 most recent bank statements of a bank instrument (debit, credit, investments or cheques) with a monthly available balance of at least 20 thousand Mexican pesos.

For spouses, add an original signed letter of responsibility with a copy of the signer’s official identification and a copy of the cover pages of the 3 most recent bank statements of a bank instrument (debit, credit) with a monthly available balance of at least 20 thousand Mexican pesos of the signer, plus a copy of the signer’s passport or INE.

– For children of school age, add a letter of responsibility signed in original with a copy of the official identification of the signatory and a copy of the covers of the 3 most recent bank statements of a bank instrument (debit, credit, investments or cheques) with a monthly available balance of at least 20 thousand Mexican pesos of the signatory, plus a letter from the school, addressed to the Embassy of South Africa in Mexico, indicating the studies they are attending, a copy of the school credential and a simple copy of the birth certificate.

Important note:

-For all other persons over 18 years of age who declare economic activity, including travelers invited by a host or by companies to workshops, courses, congresses, expos, etc., it is necessary to present the letter of invitation from the inviting organization, company or institution, even if it indicates that the expenses are covered by them and also the cover pages of the 3 most recent bank statements of a bank instrument (debit, credit, investments or checks) with a monthly available balance of at least $20 thousand Mexican pesos in the name of the applicant NOT on the sponsor’s name.

  1. Documentation confirming purpose and duration of the visit:
    a) Confirmed flight itinerary including round trip airline tickets – If multiple entries are required, present airline tickets, and transportation.
    b) Hotel reservations covering the entire stay in South Africa issued directly by the hotel.
    c) Letter of invitation, required only when the host is a South African citizen, stating full name, complete address, telephone number and dates of stay. It must be signed with a copy of the signatory’s official ID card and a copy of the receipt from the City Hall.
  2. Please provide a copy of your International Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate if you have traveled from or through a yellow fever endemic area within the last two months. Please be advised that a photocopy of the yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you have recently visited Brazil, are traveling from a yellow fever belt country (such as Brazil – São Paulo) or are planning to visit other southern African countries that are part of the yellow fever belt, such as Kenya and Tanzania. Please be advised that the certificate is not required for travelers arriving to South Africa via the United States, Europe, Dubai, or other countries that are not part of the Yellow Fever Belt.
  3. Translations by an expert translator: For visits involving minors or visits lasting more than three months (90 days), applicants must submit relevant documentation as follows: All documents in a foreign language must be translated into English and certified as accurate translations by a sworn translator at the applicant’s expense.
    Minors:
    Copy of full/complete birth certificate if minor is traveling with only one parent.
    Letter of consent or letter of responsibility, notarized and signed by the non-traveling parent, for unaccompanied minors or situations where only one parent is traveling or with a third person.
    Proof of guardianship or custody if the minor is accompanying a non-parent adult.
    Proof of adoption if the minor has been adopted.
    Adults:
    Marriage certificate, if the applicant is married and applying as an economic dependent.
    Criminal Record Certificate: A criminal record certificate may be required as part of the South African visa application process to verify the applicant’s criminal record and ensure security. The need for a police record certificate may vary depending on the type of visa, length of stay and other factors.
  4. AVAILABILITY 10 WORKING DAYS OR 14 CALENDAR DAYS for visa processing and in-person pick-up or additional days for DHL delivery.
    MPORTANT NOTICE:Please be advised that all applicants for visitor visas who do not have 10 working days or 14 calendar days for visa processing and document delivery via DHL must, without exception, reschedule their flights, hotel reservations, safaris, conventions, and other planned activities in South Africa at their own expense.
    Applicants are responsible for verifying this information, which may change without prior notice. However, the latest updates will always be published on the Embassy of South Africa in Mexico’s website and social media channels.