How to apply for South African Visa in the Philippines?
It was a bit of a challenge looking for information online as there is no website of South African Embassy in the Philippines. But I found the requirements without having to go through a travel agency.
My experience was quite smooth sailing. The consular assistant was really friendly to me. There were only standard questions asked and I told her about my booking a flight on a whim and seemed to appreciate the story. She received my application and asked me to collect it one week later.  I got 28 days visa per my application. But actually I stayed 29 days!
Anyway, here you go, 3-Step guide on how to get a South Africa visa for Philippine Passport holders.
UPDATE: JULY 1, 2017
Starting 2017, applying for South African Visa in the Philippines is handled by VFS Global. Please go to their website by clicking the link. I will update this page when I have time. Thanks for visiting.
Step 1 – Fill Up Application Form for South African Visa [click to download]
Step 2 – Prepare the following documents
- Valid Passport
- Two (2) Passport size photos
- Airline Booking
- Trip itinerary with hotel booking [sample itinerary]
- Proof of sufficient funds e.g. 3 months bank statement, bank book, certificate (original and certified copy)
- Employment Certificate or Business Permit for self employed
- Statement or document confirming the purpose and duration of travel [sample letter]
- Photo copy of passport bio page
- If coming from or traveling through a yellow fever area prior
to arrival to South Africa, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is
required *
*Philippines is not included in the list of yellow fever risk countries.**
Step 3 – Submit Application
South African Embassy, Manila
29 Flr Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Tel: 8899383
Fax: 8899379
E-mail: manila@foreign.gov.za
- CONSULAR HOURS: 9:00AM – 12:00NN – Monday to Thursday
- PICK-UP HOURS: 1:30PM – 3:30PM – Monday to Thursday
No need to schedule, just arrive as early as you can. You may need to wait though.
How much is South African Visa Fee?
South African Tourist Visa is free up to 30 days. Â Visa fee of Php 2,525 Â for a visit exceeding 30 days. I applied for 28 days.
How many days does it takes to process South African Visa?
Visa processing takes approximately 5 working days. It may take longer when application is referred to South Africa or another mission of verification, or during peak season (June-December)
28 days visa as requested
General Notes:
- Incomplete application will not be accepted. Even if you are just missing a photocopy of your passport.
- This post is only applicable for TOURIST VISA to SOUTH AFRICA. If you are marrying or looking for job, this doesn’t apply to you.
- A bond or deposit of PHP35, 000.00 maybe be asked during the release of VISA and will only be refundable if your condition and status has not been changed. I was not asked for this, but I met some people at the embassy who were.
**Â on Yellow Fever Certificate
As of 1 October 2011, South Africa requires all travelers journeying from yellow fever risk countries to show proof of yellow fever vaccination by means of a valid yellow fever certificate.
Countries for which a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into South Africa are Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, and Zambia.
This also applies to those who have traveled to low risk countries such as Soa Tome and Principe, Somalia, Tanzania and Zambia or have transited through a yellow fever risk country.
Read more about South Africa yellow fever entry requirement here.
Now Go MEET South Africa!
Dear Wanderlas, i have applied for a 5 days short tourist visa at SA consulate in VFS Dubai.. I have provided provisional hotel bookings but unfortunately the hotel cancelled by bookings so will it affect my visa processing?
why don’t you make another booking
Hi , i applied for 40 days so i paid another 2k for the visa just now i check the visa was approved pnly for 28 days can i refund my visa payment then?
I would suggest giving them a call
Hi Wanderlass,
How much money did you put in your bank account for the 28 days adventure in South Africa? What Airport did you arrive in SA? Is it CPT? I’m planning to have a vacation in SA in the future, too. :)
My formula generally is 200$xdays so for 30days you should have between 300-500K pesos. This is just my estimate, not a rule. There is no written rule anywhere. When I applied the first time 7 years ago, I had a lot less. I think only about 100K and I was granted 60days visa.
Anong travel agency maganda magpabook for package tour sa south africa? Thank you.
Hi ganyan din lang ba kadali ma approve if more than 30 days ako mag apply for a SA VISA? Let’s say gamitin ko ung buong 3 months to stay there? Id like to visit my boyfriend for a couple of months, meet his family and also travel.
I can’t say because I’ve only been to (applied visa for) SA once and it was for 28 days. I would guess that if you show enough fund to support your stay, you’ll be granted just the same
Hello wanderlass! Kailangan ba 4 weeks in advance ang application mo for tourist visa? Hindi Kaya pwede yung two weeks Lang yung pagitan ng pag apply mo at ng intended date of travel mo to SA? Kasi I’m on vacation Lang seawoman ako kailangan ko na bumalik SA work next month din. So this is my only time Lang na mag apply and mag travel to SA.
http://wanderlass.com/others/visa-challenge/south-africa-visa-for-philippine-passport-holders.html
Hi! Thanks wanderlass. My visa got approved na. More than a month of waiting for my 85 days application. I’m gonna buy tickets na soon! :D
Congratulations!Did you apply at the embassy? Because now you have to apply with VFS Global.
Now, I can apply only thourhg VFS Global or could I still follow this? Thanks!
pls apply at vfs global. this post was written in 2013. it was good until earlier this year.
Hello sheena! This is Ivy. Curios Lang ako Kung nakapag apply ka na? Kararating ko Lang dito sa pinas ten days ago, seawoman ako and ang boyfriend ko we both work on the same cruise line taga South Africa sya. We’re on vacation now kaso limited time Lang we were online given seven weeks vacation. Gusto ko na mag apply for tourist visa two weeks ko Lang balak mag stay kasi back to work na Kami next month din. Pwede kaya apply ako next week like may 10? pero ang intended date of arrival ko is also this month? Balak ko mag book ng flight to SA sa may 25 pero makauwi ako agad ng June 10. Pwede Kaya yun? Kasi nabasa kailangan ang application for visa is 4 weeks in advance bago ang flight mo. Baka my info ka.
Hi I applied last May 04 2017 and the my passport got released together with the Visa on June 8 2017. I applied for 85 days, more than a month ako nag wait. hehe. Pero okay na ung visa :) Thanks. Matagal ata process kapag nasa 3 months ang inaapply na visa kasi ung kasabay ko for 3 months din inapplyan nya May 5 sya nag apply tapos na release din ng June 8 2017. As for my case, follow up nalang kami ng follow up nung naka one month na kami ng waiting. Tapos aun na notify na ko na andyan na. Medyo risky mag apply ng visa kapag in a rush ka.
@sheena
My 3-month visa got approved after a week only :)
Hello Sheena, i just want to ask kung paano yung linagay mo sa letter mo? did you say na ivivisit mo yung boyfriend mo? and how much show money yung pinakaita mo if you dont mind. Can i ask for your email so that i could DM you in private. I want to ask lang yung mga Dont’s and Do’s kasi i want to visit my boyfriend too. Thanks!
@sheena yea the same lang. As long as capable ang bf mu to cover all your expenses sa whole duration nang visit muh.
hello there. im a bit confused as your blog said we do not need the yellow fever vaccine but i saw some posts saying we need it especially upon returning to the philippines.
Hi Mam. I’m quite a reader of your blog however do you have any ideas if I’m going to travel in Argentina? Thanks!
Hello need ko lang ng help kng paano ako mka kha ng interenary airplane booking pls. Reply
Punta k s Sa embassy at mag inquire ka muna, Sa 29th floor Yuchengco tower RCBC. Madali lng kumuha ng visa basta kumpleto requirements mo.
Hello po ask ko lang po madali lng ba mka apply ng visit visa kc plan ko mg holiday vacation and visit friend there in SA pero tulongan ako ng friend ko at cya mg host for me din gusto kc niya mg book na ng ticket agad ok lng ba yun snabihan ko na cya na hindi pa ako sure Bka ma dined ako hirap na ano po ba Gawain ko?