Visa Requirements

If you hold an EU, UK, Canadian, or US passport, you do not need to apply for a visa to visit South Africa as you will be granted a 90-day visitors visa upon your arrival. . When you pass through customs, please specify “tourism/travel” as the purpose of your visit, as it falls within the visitor’s visa conditions. Mentioning “internship” may lead to confusion with regards to paid employment, and South African Work Permit documentation may be requested.If you do not hold an EU, UK, Canadian, or US passport, it is crucial to thoroughly research your visa requirements well in advance of your planned arrival in South Africa. A list of passport holders eligible for visas upon arrival can be found here. If your country is not listed, you will be required to apply for a visa at your closest South African Embassy prior to arrival.

Making a Visa Application

Making a visa application can be complicated and timeous, and the outcome is not guaranteed.  If you are required to apply for a visa before arrival, we recommend you start your application as soon as possible, and keep us updated on the status of your application.

We have extensive experience assisting program participants with their visa applications, so please reach out to us for guidance.  We can assist and support you through the process, but you will be required to pay your program deposit beforehand, which is refundable if your visa application is not successful.

Visiting South Africa for longer than 90 days from a visa waiver country

If you are from a visa waiver country and would like to stay in South Africa for longer than 90 days, it is possible to apply for a visa extension once you are in-country. You will need to make your application within 30 days of arrival, and we can guide you through this process.  Please be aware that this process includes additional costs, and the outcome is not guaranteed.

Please ensure your return flight is within 90 days of arrival

It is important that you arrive in South Africa with a pre-booked return flight and a printed copy of your itinerary. South African immigration authorities may request this as proof of your intention to depart the country within the confines of your visa. If you arrive with a one-way ticket, there is a chance of being denied entry or being required to book a return ticket on the spot. Furthermore, your return flight should be scheduled to depart within 90 days from your arrival date in South Africa. Even if you plan to extend your visa, your initial return flight must fall within this 90-day limit, and you can adjust it when you apply for your visa extension.