Visas

Hereunder we have provided helpful information regarding the relevant Visa process, however, it is still your sole responsibility to follow up on the correct procedure should anything have changed since our last investigation into this process.

South African passport holders need a visa to visit the UK.
(This includes the countries of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland)
You need to first apply online and continue your visa application at your nearest UK visa application centre.
Processing time can take up to 3 weeks.

How to Apply
The earliest you can make your UK visa application is 3 months before your date of departure.
1. Decide which visa you need on the UK Visas and Immigration website
https://www.gov.uk/apply-to-come-to-the-uk
2. Complete the online application
3. Pay the application fee online via debit or credit card (print out the receipt)
4. Book an online appointment at the Visa Application Centre
5. Register your details on the TLScontact website
https://pos.tlscontact.com/south-africa
6. Purchase additional value services (optional)
7. Prepare all necessary documents for your appointment (originals and copies)
8. Attend your appointment to have your biometrics taken
9. Collect your passport once the Visa Application Centre notifies you via email

Types of Visas
Standard Visitor Visa – to travel, visit family and friends, take part in events, do business, and for medical purposes.
Validity: 6 months

Visa in Transit – to go through border control and leave the airport (en route to another country).
Validity: 48 hours

Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) – to change flights without going through border control or leaving the airport.
Validity: 24 hours

UK Visa Costs
Standard Visitor Visa: R1970
Direct Airside Transit Visa: R760
Visa in Transit: R1355

UK Visa Requirements
Standard Visitor Visa:
• Completed and printed application form
• Valid passport (valid for 6 months from departure date, with 2 blank pages)
• Bank statements of the last 3 months
• Confirmation of salary
• Proof of residence
• Letter of employment; if self-employed please provide business registration documents
Visit the official UK government website for an extensive list of supporting documents.
https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor-visa/eligibility?step-by-step-nav=f49b3f00-d489-4726-b116-4157cfb6a183

For both UK Transit Visas:
• Valid passport
• Travel booking confirmation
• Valid visa for the country for which you’re departing the UK

Minors (under 18):
• Legal birth certificate
• Children under 5 years old must apply for their UK visa in person, but are not required to provide fingerprints

Minors travelling unaccompanied or with someone other than their parents must provide:
• Signed letter from parent(s) confirming details of anyone accompanying you, and details of care and accommodation arranged in the UK
• Copy of parent(s) or legal guardian’s biographical page of their passport, which includes their signature and passport number if parent(s) do not have a passport then you must provide another official document which bears their signature

Application Centres
TSL Cape Town
Address: Upper Ground Floor, Media Quarter Building, Corner of De Smit and Somerset Road, De Waterkant, Cape Town
Telephone: 012 472 3800
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 15:30

TSL Johannesburg
Address: 2nd – 3rd Floor, 24 Central Building, 6 Gwen Lane, Corner of Gwen and Fredman Drive, Sandton
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 15:30

TSL Pretoria
Address: 1st Floor, Menlyn Corner, Frikkie de Beer Street, Corner of Lois Avenue and Atterbury Road, Menlyn
Telephone: 012 472 3801
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 15:30

TSL Port Elizabeth
Address: Ground floor, Building 66, Fairview Office Park, Greenacres, Port Elizabeth
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 08:30 – 15:30