
Okay, let’s be actual: South Africa is much. Irrespective of the place on the earth you’re coming from, so long as it’s not on the African continent, we will make sure that South Africa is much from you. It’s not precisely your typical fast getaway, and the flight itself goes to check your persistence. However right here’s the factor — South Africa is so value the additional time and expense. Think about: breathtaking landscapes, epic wildlife safaris, and a tradition that’s as numerous as it’s fascinating. When you’re there, all these hours on the aircraft will really feel like nothing.
We lately traveled to South Africa, and we will let you know definitively that it is likely one of the most lovely international locations we’ve set foot in. First off, let’s speak Cape City — a metropolis that’s equal elements cool and heat. Cool as a result of it’s crammed with scenic adventures like biking across the metropolis or happening a sundown cruise. Heat due to the pleasant locals and scrumptious meals. You’ve acquired Desk Mountain looming over you, Instagram-worthy seashores, and vineyards only a brief drive away. Then, the safaris. Kruger Nationwide Park is the place you go to tick off the Massive 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and cape buffalos) out of your bucket record. You’ll be so near nature, it’ll really feel such as you’re in a Nationwide Geographic documentary.
And sure, we needed to apply for a South Africa visa previous to our journey. On this article, we’re gonna present you precisely the right way to get one.
The right way to Get a South Africa Visa
There are 3 ways to get a South African visa:
- On-line. Filipinos are eligible to use for an eVisa on the official web site.
- Bodily Visa (Direct). Apply for a bodily visa by yourself in Makati. South Africa visa processing is dealt with by VFS. The applying course of for a bodily visa is fairly easy — nothing too sophisticated. You simply want to assemble the necessities and submit it at VFS. No advance appointments crucial.
- Bodily Visa (by way of Journey Company). That is useful for many who don’t have the time to lodge their software themselves or those that reside removed from Manila. Sure, there’s just one visa software heart right here within the Philippines and it’s positioned in Makati. So in case you’re primarily based within the province, it may be fairly the trouble to journey to Manila simply to (1) submit your software and (2) declare your passport.
One of the trusted journey businesses you may wish to contemplate is Constellation Travels. It’s an enormous established company and an establishment within the Philippine journey scene. In addition they supply all-inclusive South Africa tour packages, and in case you avail of it, visa processing will probably be included robotically.
Anyway, Filipinos like us are eligible to use for an evisa on-line. However we selected to use for a bodily visa for two causes.
- First, as a result of my mates who tried to use on-line bumped into issues with the web site. If I keep in mind appropriately, they weren’t receiving any of the e-mail notifications that have been wanted to maneuver ahead. So they only gave up and ended up making use of in particular person. They usually weren’t the one ones. Looks as if others have been encountering the identical drawback. So to be secure, we additionally opted to get a bodily visa.
- Second, we simply wished an precise, bodily visa on our passport. I do know that is fairly shallow, however bodily visas are getting rarer and rarer nowadays, so we attempt to get one whereas they’re nonetheless obtainable.
In our case, as a result of we have been so busy round this time, we determined to course our software by means of an company, Constellation Travels.
So yeah, with out additional ado, let’s get proper into it.
Step 1: Full the necessities.
Right here’s the total record for Filipinos making use of for a vacationer visa, straight from the official web site.
- Passport. Should have no less than two (2) clean pages to accommodate the visa sticker and no less than 30-day validity after the goal departure date from South Africa. However please be aware that Philippine Immigration requires passports to be legitimate for no less than six (6) months.
- 2 current passport-size images. Should be 35mm x 45mm. Taken inside the previous 30 days.
- Absolutely completed visa software kind (DHA-84). Emphasis on DHA-84, since you’ll discover 2 variations of this way on-line. DHA-84 and DHA-1738. DHA-84 is the right one. Should be accomplished in block letters and black ink. Should have the signature of the applicant, matching the signature on the passport.
- Yellow fever vaccination certificates, provided that applicant will journey by means of or keep in yellow fever belt. We secured an Worldwide Certificates of Vaccination (ICV), which we acquired from the Bureau of Quarantine right here in Metro Manila. To be clear, in case you’re touring from the Philippines or the Americas, Europe, Center East, you don’t want a yellow fever vaccination. You solely want this in case you’re coming from or staying in a yellow-fever danger nation BEFORE getting into South Africa. In our case, we’d be touring Kenya first earlier than flying to South Africa. However as a result of Kenya is a danger nation, we’re required to current a proof of yellow fever vaccination. Listed below are the international locations which are thought of yellow fever danger.
- 3 months financial institution assertion. As proof of economic capability. Should be licensed by financial institution, issued inside seven (7) days earlier than the time of software.
- Spherical-trip flight reservation. Your flight should be scheduled no less than 15 working days earlier than your goal flight date. Reservation solely, not precise tickets. No mounted flight preparations must be made till the visa has been attained. You will get this from journey businesses.
- Proof of lodging. Resort reserving is accepted.
- If invited by somebody in South Africa: Invitation letter from host. Should be signed by inviter. Additionally submit licensed proof of billing, ID, and many others. All supporting paperwork should be licensed by the police in South African Commissioner or Commissioner of Oaths.
- Marriage certificates, if relevant. You will need to carry the unique while you submit your software.
- Copies of passport bio web page. We submitted two (2) copies.
- Cowl letter. Should be notarized and have the next: applicant’s full title, passport quantity, journey dates/size of keep, objective of the journey, and deal with. It also needs to clearly state who can pay for the journey and the contact particulars of licensed signature’s title and designation of sponsor. You’ll discover a pattern cowl letter beneath.
For international passport holder primarily based within the Philippines, copy of labor visa/ residence allow in Philippines (legitimate Philippine visa).
For minor dependent kids: there are extra paperwork to be submitted. Try this record, in the direction of the underside.
When you’ve acquired all of your docs collectively, it’s time to submit your software.
Step 2: Submit your software.
For those who’re making use of by way of a journey company, simply ship it to them and they are going to be lodging your software in your behalf. That may be it. The company will deal with all the pieces from there and can simply replace you.
For those who choose to submit it your self, right here’s the deal with:
- Visa Utility Centre
Floor Flooring, Makati Circuit Company Middle
Tower Two, AP Reyes St. Brgy. Carmona, Theater Drive Circuit Makati, Makati Metropolis, 1630
Philippines
My mates utilized on their very own. Based on them you’ll be required to go away your devices, vape and energy banks exterior. There are lockers for lease for P75. They’ll examine your paperwork and gather a service payment, which is PHP 2180, money solely.
And that’s it! Simply wait in your visa, if accepted.
Step 3: Wait in your visa.
How lengthy is the South Africa visa processing time?
7 working days, in keeping with the web site. However in keeping with the workers, in lots of circumstances, solely 4 working days.
In our case, our software was submitted on July 18. Our passports with visa have been prepared for pickup on July 26. In order that’s 6 working days.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What number of days are we allowed to remain in South Africa?
I utilized for 10 days; I used to be granted a visa that’s legitimate for a single keep of as much as 10 days.
I’m undecided if 10 days is commonplace or it relies on the itinerary you submit.
Do you may have a pattern South Africa visa software cowl letter?
Right here’s a pattern cowl letter I created. That is the format that I used. Simply substitute the small print with your personal.
Once more, the letter should be notarized, signed, and will need to have the next:
- applicant’s title
- applicant’s signature
- passport quantity
- objective of the journey
- size of keep
- bodily deal with
- title of particular person or institution who will probably be shouldering the bills of the journey
- contact particulars
- designation and signature of sponsoring get together
For those who’re making use of by way of Constellation Travels, they are going to deal with the notarization.
What does a South Africa visa appear like?
Like this:
Do you advocate a journey company for South Africa?
We utilized by means of Constellation Travels, Inc.
Constellation Travels additionally presents South Africa tour packages. That is nice for many who don’t have the time, power or bandwidth to take care of planning a visit and making use of for a visa. For those who’re availing of a tour bundle, visa software is already included!
Get in contact with Constellation Travels by means of these contact numbers and e mail deal with:

Or go to their official web site at www.constellationtravels.com.ph.
And that’s it! South Africa is likely one of the most spectacular locations we visited, and Cape City immediately grew to become one in every of our favourite cities. Yeah, South Africa is much — however consider it as a protracted journey that results in one of the unforgettable journey experiences you’ll ever have. From the wild fantastic thing about its nationwide parks to the dynamic city life in Cape City and past, you’ll depart South Africa with reminiscences that’ll stick with you endlessly.
We’ll be publishing extra South Africa content material quickly!