South Africa Business Visa Information

• Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.
• You must attend your appointment at the Visa Application Center. No one else may go on your behalf.
• Bring a printout of your visa application, 2D barcode form (2 copies), a copy of your passport information page (2 copies) and a valid passport or travel document (at least 2 blank visa pages, front and back).
• Bring all application materials (originals and copies)
• If you have not paid your visa fee online, you can pay the fee upon arrival at the center.
• At the Visa Application Center, you will also need to be fingerprinted and photographed (also known as biometric information collection). An electronic fingerprint scanner will take your fingerprints from 10 fingers and take a digital photograph. The electronic fingerprint scanner does not use ink, liquids or chemicals and will not leave marks on your skin.
• Your digital photo must show your full face. Sunglasses, tinted glasses or head coverings cannot be worn, except for religious or moral reasons. Applicants wearing head coverings for religious purposes should ensure that their face, forehead and ears are as clearly visible as possible.
• Applicants should avoid wearing light-colored clothing and are advised to wear bright colors.
• Make sure your fingertips are free of any kind of decoration such as hand-painting, cuts, abrasions or other markings, as these may affect the validity of the fingerprints you provide.
• If you miss your appointment, you can only reschedule 24 hours after your original appointment time.
• Visa applications cannot be processed without biometric information.

Biometrics Without biometric information, your visa application will not be processed.

• The visa center will take your fingerprint scan and facial scan information.
• The digital fingerprint scanner will collect images of all 10 fingers while capturing digital photos.
• Your digital photo must show your full face. No sunglasses, tinted glasses or headgear, unless for religious or moral reasons.
• If you have a temporary injury to your finger, it is recommended that you wait until the wound heals.
• Make sure your fingertips are free of any form of temporary body decoration, such as hand painting, as it can interfere with the scanner's work.
• If you have applied for a Schengen visa within the last 5 years, you do not need to submit biometric data

Biometric Exemption

You will be released from the obligation to collect biometric data (fingerprints) in the following cases:

• It is not physiologically possible to have your fingerprints taken. If a fingerprint scan cannot be provided, a medical certificate must be provided.