Experts in Short Term Visas to travel for Tourism or Business
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    Your Gateway to The UK: Hassle-Free Visa Solutions for Britain

    Unlock the United Kingdom: Expert Visa Assistance for South Africans

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    UK Visa from South Africa: Your Key to Seamless Travel

    Expert Visa Assistance for South Africans

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    Free visa advice offered by a visa expert

    Unlock the gateway to The UK with expert assistance

    Let Our Experts Elevate Your Travel Experience!

Explore hassle-free solutions to obtain your British visa from South Africa, whether it's for a holiday or business

In this guide, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a UK Visa as a South African citizen, including visa requirements, necessary documents, visa fees and more

Information About The British Visa From South Africa

Need Visa

Do I Need A Visa For The UK?

South African passport holders intending on travelling to the UK (this includes England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland) require a UK Visitor Visa

Criteria

What is the criteria for a UK Visa?

South African Citizens must meet the following criteria to get a Standard Visitor Visa for the UK:

Possess a valid passport with at least one blank page
Provide evidence of financial means to cover your stay
Intend to stay in the UK for less than six months
Visiting for purposes of tourism, visits, business, study, academic, event or medical

Process

What is the process to get a UK Visa?

Determine the type of visa you need
Gather the necessary documents
Complete the application form
Attend the biometrics appointment

Process Time

How long does it take to process a UK Standard Visitor Visa?

The processing time for a UK Visa from South Africa can vary depending on the individual circumstances of each applicant and the volume of applications being processed at the time.
It can take a while to get an appointment, but the visa is generally issued within 15 working days after submission.

Fees

How much does a Standard Visitor Visa for the UK cost?

The visa application fee for a Standard Visitor Visa for the UK cost R2900 for up to 6 months. Additional fees apply for a two year, five year and ten year visa.

Should you select to use the service of VisaRequest, the service fee is R900.

Comprehensive travel visa information for the UK, covering everything you need to know about visa requirements, eligibility and application procedures for your journey to the United Kingdom

Criteria for a Standard Visitor Visa for the UK

The short-term visa for the UK is called the Standard Visitor Visa, and it is valid for up to six months. It is important to select the correct visa category because this will determine the documents which need to be submitted when applying for the visa.

The types of Standard Visitor Visas available for South Africans are:

  • Transit to somewhere else
  • Tourism or visiting family and friends
  • Work, study, academic visit or business for the following:
    – Visit on business
    – Visit to study
    – Visit as an academic
    – Visit for a paid engagement or event
    – Visit for medical reasons

The Standard Visitor Visa is also available for a longer term, for travelers who plan to visit the UK regularly. This visa is valid for 2, 5 or 10 years, but you can stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 months on each visit.

You must visit the UK Government website at www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration to apply for a visa. The earliest you can apply is 3 months before you travel.

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Passport Renewal

Eligibility Criteria for a UK Visa

To meet the eligibility criteria for a tourist visa, you will need to meet the following eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor Visa for the United Kingdom.

You have a South African Passport which is valid for your  stay in the UK

You will have to prove that:

  • you’ll leave the UK at the end of your visit
  • you’ll be able to support yourself during your trip to the UK
  • you’ll be able to pay for your return or onward journey
  • you’ll not live in the UK for extended periods

You will have to provide documents to support the reason for your visit to the UK

VisaRequest understands the comprehensive visa requirements for The UK and our expert team will guide you through the necessary documents needed for your UK visa application, ensuring a seamless application process from South Africa.

Learn all about the visa types and requirements for a UK Visa to obtain the correct documentation

The type of Standard Visitor Visa for the UK to select

You need to apply for the correct type of visa for the UK, in order to provide the required supporting documents. The following Standard Visitor Visas are issued by the British High Commission in South Africa.

Transit Visa: To travel through the international transit areas of the UK airports

  • When you need to board any connecting flight from a British airport to reach your destination or travel through the UK. You need to leave the UK within 48 hours

Tourist Visa: Visit the UK for up to 6 months for tourism or visits

  • When you need to travel in the UK for tourism purposes such as a holiday or a vacation or for visiting family and friends

Business Visa: Visit the UK for up to 6 months to do one of the following business activities:

  • Attend interviews, meetings, conferences and seminars
  • Negotiate and sign deals and contracts
  • Attend trade fairs to promote a business
  • Work-related training
  • Short series of talks
  • Carry out site visits and inspections
  • Oversee the delivery of goods and services provided
  • Install, dismantle, repair, service or advise on equipment
  • You cannot work for a UK company or as a self-employed person. You’ll need to apply for a work visa if you want to do any other paid or unpaid work

VisaRequest will guide you through your visa application step-by-step. Our services include completing your online application form, providing you with your tailor-made document requirement list, reviewing and approving the documents and forms before submission and booking your visa submission appointment at the UK Visa Application Centre (VAC) closest to you.

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Passport Renewal

Other reasons for visiting the UK

Study Visa: Visit the UK for up to 6 months for one of the following study activities:

  • Study at an accredited institution in the UK. You need to prove that:
    – You’ve been accepted onto a course provided by an accredited UK institution
    – The course is no more than 6 months long (if it’s not a distance learning course)
    – The accredited UK institution cannot be an academy or state-funded school
  • A short piece of research that’s relevant to your course
    You’ll need to confirm your overseas course provider that the research or research tuition is part of the course you’re doing
  • Optional additional placement if you’re studying medicine
    You’re permitted to do unpaid clinical attachments if you’re a medical graduate
  • Entrance exam or retake an exam or course module

Academic Visa: Visit the UK for up to 6 months if you’re a scientist, researcher or academic:

  • Take part in formal exchange arrangements with UK counterparts
  • Carry out research, either as part of your job or independently
  • Senior doctors or dentists taking part in research, teaching or undertake a clinical practice

Event Visa: Visit the UK for up to 6 months if you’re participating in a paid engagement or event

  • You have a written invitation from a UK-based organization or client for a pre-arranged event or engagement
  • You can show you’re an expert in your profession and the engagement is relevant to your expertise
  • You can be invited:
    – as a professional artist, entertainer or musician (For example, poets, make-up artists, stylists, set designers, photographers and fashion models)
    – as a professional sportsperson (For example, taking part in a sporting event)
    – as a qualified lawyer to represent a client (For example a court or tribunal hearing, arbitration or other form of legal dispute resolution)
    – to give a lecture or series of lectures (For example giving a lecture or series of lectures about your area of expertise)
    – to speak at a conference (For example when you are paid to speak at a conference or seminar)
    – to be a student examiner or assessor (For example to examine or assess students)
    – as an air pilot examiner (For example to examine UK-based air pilots to meet the national aviation regulatory requirements of your country)

Medical Visa: Visit the UK for up to 6 months for private medical treatment

  • You’re getting treatment at a hospital or other medical facility
  • You donate an organ
  • You must prove that you:
    – have a medical condition that needs private consultation or treatment in the UK
    – have made arrangements for consultations or treatment
    – have enough money or funding to pay for your treatment
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Information you need to provide on your UK application form

  • the dates you’re planning to travel to the UK
  • where you’ll be staying during your visit
  • how much you think your trip will cost
  • your current home address and how long you’ve lived there
  • your parents’ names and dates of birth
  • how much you earn in a year
  • details of any criminal or immigration offenses you’ve committed
  • details of your travel history for the past 10 years
  • your employer’s address and telephone number
  • your partner’s name, date of birth and passport number
  • the name and address of anyone paying for your trip
  • the name, address and passport number of any family members you have in the UK

Requirements for a Visa for the UK for South Africans

  • You must have a passport that is valid for your stay in the UK with a blank page for your visa
  • Employment letter: Letter from your employer confirming your employment and leave
  • Proof of sufficient funds: Latest three months bank statements
  • Travel history: Previous visas issued in the past ten years

For transit

  • Flight itinerary
  • Visa for the final destination

For tourism or visiting family and friends

  • Tourism: Accommodation booking and travel itinerary
  • Visit: Invitation letter from the host with their passport copy and utility bill

For work or business visit

  • You must have an invitation from the UK
  • Letter from your employer confirming where you work and your area of expertise
  • Documents supporting your business engagements in the UK and that its relevant to your expertise
  • You must be able to show you’re highly qualified in your area of expertise

For academic visit

  • A letter from the employer confirming the period defining the topic of research
  • A letter of invitation from the host organization in the UK relevant to your research

For medical visit

  • You’ll need a letter written by a doctor or consultant, that confirms:
    – the condition you have that needs consultation or treatment
    – the estimated cost and likely duration of any treatment
    – where the consultation and treatment will take place
Passport Renewal

Contact the British Embassy in South Africa for more information

ADDRESS
UK of Great Britain & Northern Ireland in Pretoria

255 Hill Street
Arcadia, Pretoria
0083

CONTACT
British High Commission

Tel: 012 421 7500
E-mail: media.pretoria@fco.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-high-commission-pretoria

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ADDRESS
British Consulate General in Cape Town

15th Floor, Norton Rose House,
8 Riebeek Street, Foreshore,
Cape Town, 8001

CONTACT
Honorary-Consulate of UK in Cape Town

Tel: 021 405 2400
Fax: 021 425 1427
Website: https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-cape-town

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THE PROCEDURE

Three Simple Steps To Get Your Visa For The United Kingdom

Complete the Application Form
Collect the required documents and pay the visa fee
Schedule and attend the biometric data capturing

The VisaRequest Visa Processing Service Offers Several Benefits

The VisaRequest expert will assist with the application and keep you informed about the status throughout the visa application process

A simplified application process
Review the application to avoid errors
Expert support from start to finish
Confirm when the visa is issued

Complete for assistance with your UK Visa in South Africa

    Other Services Offered By VisaRequest

    Our team of immigration specialist offers various immigration services

    Outbound Long Stay

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    VisaRequest assist with long-stay visas for South Africans who wants to live abroad for multiple years.
    Our team of immigration consultants specialize in digital nomad visas, study visas and working holiday visas.

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    Get Your Passport Renewed

    VisaRequest assist with the application or renewal of a South African Passport from the Department of Home Affairs.
    Simply forward a copy of your ID and we will schedule speedy appointments at your nearest bank or Home Affairs office.

    Schengen Visa Compliant

    Get Comprehensive Travel Insurance

    VisaRequest offer Trave Insurance at the best price, covering a wide range of incidents in most countries and underwritten by one of the biggest international insurance providers.
    The easy online facility offers a step-by-step quotation and purchase facility so you can be protected from unforeseen eventualities that can threaten your trip.

    Immigration Lawyers

    Get Legal Assistance

    VisaRequest is not a law firm, but is affiliated with a legal firm managed by registered attorneys with the right to appear in court.
    This partnership offers our clients legal services to assist with litigation and administrative appeals.

    Requirements

    Get Assistance With The Documents You Need?

    VisaRequest provide assistance with the documents you need from Home Affairs, DIRCO, SA Police or the Embassy to submit with an application.
    We apply for civic affairs documentation, get documents legalized and authenticated and police clearance.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Your questions answered about The UK Visa Applications in South Africa

    The United Kingdom issues a Standard Visitor Visa for South African travelers who wish to visit the UK for up to six months

    You'll need a valid passport, completed application form, proof of funds and documentation to support the reason for your visit (tourism, business, study, academic, event or medical)

    Your visa application fee includes the fee to capture your fingerprints and photograph, which can be done in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth.

    A Standard Visitor Visa fee is R2900 for up to 6 months. Should you require the assistance of VisaRequest, an additional R900 service fee is charged.

    It can take a while to get an appointment, but the visa is generally issued within 15 working days after submission.

    You can stay in the UK for a maximum six months. If you're visa is not valid for six months, you can extend your stay before it expires by paying a £1000 fee.

    While travel insurance is not a requirement for obtaining a visa, it is highly recommended. The travel insurance offered by VisaRequest provide coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations and other unexpected events during your stay in the UK.

    You can travel to any of the four European countries forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain, which includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

    A Standard Visitor Visa for the UK will be denied if the immigration authorities aren’t satisfied with your answers in the application form or during the visa interview or if your documents are incomplete to meet the criteria for the type of UK visa.

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