Applying for a South African Visa

Visa applicants for the South African Visitor’s Visa (DHA-84) are kindly instructed to submit their applications in English. To facilitate the process for Spanish-speaking applicants, a Spanish translation of the application form is available for guidance and reference. However, it is crucial to note that the original form in English remains the official and accepted version. The Spanish version is provided solely as a supplementary tool to assist applicants in understanding the content. The downloadable PDF in Spanish does not substitute or replace the original English form.
Therefore, applicants are encouraged to fill out the English version of the DHA-84 form,
ensuring accurate processing while utilizing the Spanish translation as a helpful aid.

Include a detailed and confirmed travel itinerary and proof of accommodation bookings to
demonstrate each applicant’s travel plans and arrangements.

The cover pages of the 3 most recent bank statements of a bank instrument (debit, credit, investments or cheques) with a monthly available balance or credit of at least 20 thousand Mexican pesos.

For spouses, add an original signed letter of responsibility with a copy of the signatory’s official identification and a copy of 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 of the signatory.

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 travellers 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 organisation, 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 cheques) with a monthly available balance of at least 20 thousand Mexican pesos.

Some countries, including India, Colombia, Mexico, etc., are required to apply for visas but are exempt from visa fees. Refer to the list of countries that pay for visas, and if your country is not listed, it indicates that you do not need to pay for the visa. The list of exempt countries is subject to change.

Payment Information for Visa Fees and Money Transfers: Click on PAYMENT INFO
below to review applicable fees for visas. Access the Mexican Peso account for money
transfers made in Mexico and the US Dollar account for money transfers from abroad.
Please a) include your NAME as it appears in your passport in the money transfer
concept and b) Submit a copy of the transaction proof with your visa application.

If you prefer to send your visa application documents via courier to the South African Embassy in Mexico City, please use the address provided in Section E) below.
IMPORTANT: Non-South African citizens should refrain from booking appointments on Wednesdays, as the system will automatically cancel such appointments.

If there are outstanding or missing documents when applying for a visa at the South African Embassy in Mexico, the application is likely to be considered incomplete. In such cases, the embassy may take the following actions:

Failure to provide essential documentation could result in the inability to process the visa application

Notification to the Applicant:
The applicant is typically informed in person or promptly through official communication channels, such as email or telephone call about the missing or incomplete documents

Return of Documents:
In some instances, the embassy may return the incomplete application along with any submitted documents to the applicant. This allows the individual to reapply with the necessary documentation.

* It is crucial for applicants to carefully review the visa requirements and submit a
complete application to avoid delays or potential rejection.

Electronic visas (e-visas) for South Africa are not yet available on the Embassy website or other government platforms such as https://ehome.dha.gov.za/epermit. Caution against using websites like https://evisa-southafrica.com/ or other government/tourism sites offering electronic visas for South Africa.

Citizens/passport holders of Costa Rica (for up to 30 days), El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama (for up to 90 days) must pay a non-refundable fee for a South African Visitor’s Visa.

Fees for the issuance of a visitor’s visa in terms of section 11(1) of the Immigration
Act shall be collected in respect of passport / travel document holders of the following foreign countries when travelling on an ordinary passport (visa fees are not levied for diplomatic and official/service passport holders).

South African Visitor Visas are free of charge (GRATUITAS) exclusively for Mexican citizens and Mexican passport holders when their stay does not exceed 90 days.
However, for visits exceeding 90 days or for other visa categories, such as Work, 11(6), Student, Relative’s, or Critical Skill visas, Mexican citizens must pay a fee and fulfil additional specified requirements as detailed in the description of each respective visa category.

It’s crucial to understand that visitor’s visas are designed for international travellers who temporarily visit South Africa in transit, for tourism or business purposes, with a maximum stay of 90 days. The visa signifies that your application has been reviewed and approved, granting entry for a specific purpose. Ensure the correct visa type is applied for, as entry may be refused if the stated purpose is inaccurate. Remember that a visa serves as a visitor’s permit upon entry, and its validity is calculated from the date of entry into the country. The duration of stay is outlined under the «conditions» on the visa label. Visitors are limited to the activity or reason for which the visa was issued.

A visa interview is not obligatory unless specifically requested by the consuls for clarification. As a result, applicants are not obliged to visit the South African mission in Mexico City in person; instead, they can dispatch their documents via DHL or a courier service. However, it is crucial to schedule an appointment for the in-person submission of visa applications at the Embassy, as submissions are accepted by appointment only.

Applicants are permitted to utilize courier services for both the delivery and return of their applications to and from the Embassy. It is the responsibility of the applicants to arrange and cover the costs of courier services. At the time of application, applicants must include a self-addressed, pre-paid courier service airway bill and envelope for the return of documents.

To book an appointment, please use the calendar provided at the end of this page.

Visas are not issued at South African ports of entry, and it is mandatory to obtain a visa before boarding. Failure to do so may result in immigration officials arranging a return flight to your home country.

The Embassy website and social media accounts of the South African Embassy in Mexico are the sole official sources of information on visas and immigration matters for Mexico, the accredited countries, and civic affairs for South African citizens.
Fraud Prevention: Each applicant is responsible for preventing fraud, data loss, and identity theft when seeking electronic or express visas on non-official websites.

The «Payment Info» button provides the banking details for government accounts, facilitating money transfers in US Dollars for transactions outside of Mexico and in MXN Pesos for transactions within Mexico. Please a) include your NAME as it appears in your
passport in the money transfer concept and b) Submit a copy of the transaction proof with your visa application.

Find an updated list or [Requirements], information for children, DHA-84 Application Form, General applicant information, and Payment details for a Visitor Visa.

Select [Requirements] for a comprehensive [Checklist]. Submit this checklist, along with your application and supporting documents, to confirm your full compliance with the visa requirements.

The South African Embassy in Mexico processes visas within 10 working days or 14 natural days, but this information is subject to change and will be updated on the embassy’s social media accounts and Google.

If sending a visa application to the embassy in Mexico City, applicants should request an estimated delivery and return time from their courier service provider. It is crucial to include an Airway Bill and proof of payment (for non-Mexican Passport holders) along
with the visa application for passport and visa retrieval.

The embassy’s address for sending full documentation is:

EMBAJADA DE SUDÁFRICA EN MÉXICO
VISAS / CONSULAR
Andrés Bello No. 10, Piso 9, Edificio FORUM,
Alcaldía Miguel Hidalgo, CP 11560, CDMX, México.

Applicants residing outside Mexico or facing scheduling challenges in Mexico City should still adhere to the documentation submission process.

The embassy emphasizes the importance of considering public holidays when planning visa applications in 2023. These holidays may impact the processing times, so applicants should plan accordingly. The list of public holidays to be observed by South Africa in 2023 and 2024 is available the calendar, providing essential information for those seeking visas during specific periods.

Select [Public Holidays] for the list of Mexican and South African Holidays honoured by the South African Embassy in Mexico City

Work Visas are exclusively granted to individuals transferred by their companies to live in South Africa. For all other applicants visiting for business or work-related purposes, it is mandatory to apply for a Visitor’s Visa, NOT a Work Visa. If you intend to travel to South Africa for business and/or pleasure, please apply for a South African Visitor’s Visa.

South Africa is a Yellow-Fever free country. Please include a photocopy of a vaccination
certificate (International Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate) ONLY IF you have visited
Brazil three months prior to visiting South Africa, if you are traveling from a Yellow Fever
Belt country (such as Brazil – Sao Paulo), or plan to visit other countries in Southern
Africa that are part of the Yellow Fever Belt, like Kenya and Tanzania. The certificate is
NOT needed for travellers who reach South Africa via the US, Europe, Dubai, or other
non-Yellow Fever Belt countries.