South Africa is one country in Africa where you will find a lot of Nigerians who school, work, and live there. This is why there is a thriving Nigerian community in the country. As a Nigerian passport holder interested in visiting South Africa, you will need to obtain a South Africa visa from Nigeria before you board a flight for the Southern part of the African continent.
Traveling To South Africa
South Africa occupies the southernmost tip of the African continent and is a country famous for its game parks, wildlife, and lush forest. The country is one of the most visited in Africa and is home to more than 65 million inhabitants. The nightlife in South Africa is great, with a rich blend of Indian and Boer culture mixed with the traditional African culture of the indigenous people. This makes South Africa a special country on the continent.
The nightlife is great, and there are several amazing cities to visit, such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, and Pretoria, the capital. South Africa has a thriving tourism and bug services sector, making it a perfect destination for business. Some of the biggest brands, like Multichoice, ABSA, and MTN, have their headquarters in South Africa. Furthermore, some of the best schools in Africa are also in the country.
So if you are visiting for the holidays or business, there are more than enough side attractions to keep you busy when you venture out.
Do Nigerians Need A Visa To Travel To South Africa?
Nigerians need a visa to visit South Africa because Nigeria is not on the visa-free list. The South African government tends to update its immigration policies from time to time, but for now, Nigerians are not on the list of visa-exempt countries. To enter South Africa, you must obtain a visa from the South African embassy in Lagos and Abuja or any of its visa centers.
Is There A Visa On Arrival For Nigerians?
South Africa currently does not offer visas on arrival at airports or borders, so travelers must obtain a visa before arriving in the country. Those who arrive without a visa will be sent back to their countries. In fact, some airlines will not allow traveler to board their planes without showing a visa at the entrance.
Types of South Africa Visa From Nigeria
Visitor Visa: The visitor visa is a special visa for Nigerians who wish to visit their families and friends for a short time of not more than 90 days. This temporary visa can be used for multiple purposes such as tourism, business, and family and friends visits and is valid for 180 days from the date of issue.
Long Stay Visa: A Long stay visa is Valid for more than 180 days ranging from 1 year to 3 years or more. Common long-stay visas are student and work visas, which may be single or multiple entry use.
The approach to obtaining a South African visa from Nigeria is similar: the applicant has to visit the embassy in Abuja or Lagos or submit an application to the VFS, the official agent of the South African High Commission.
Visa Processing Time
Visas may take 1-2 months to process, especially if you go through an agent. Applicants are advised to submit their applications as early as possible, long before their planned date or traveling. Application is open from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.
South Africa Visa Cost
The amount you pay for processing will depend on the type of visa as well as the number of times it can be used, as single-entry visas cost more than multiple-entry visas. Short-term visas admission fee cost an average of N25,000, while long-term visas cost a little more. Do note that visa processing fees change from time to time and must be paid into a designated account.
South Africa Visa Basic Requirements
All applicants from Nigeria need to submit the following documents.
Application Form: A duly complete and signed application form filled with black ink only.
Passport: A valid passport with at least 30 days validity after the departure date is filled in the application form. The passport must have at least one blank page.
Photograph: Two recent colored photographs printed on white background showing the applicant’s face completely.
Cover Letter: A cover letter introducing oneself and stating the purpose of the trip
Hotel bookings: Those visiting on a short visa must make hotel reservations for their accommodation and provide evidence.
Vaccination certificate: Yellow fever vaccination duly administered by a health practitioner.
Proof of financial status: A bank statement showing proof of financial status for the last six months.
Kindly note that a South Africa visa from Nigeria may be required from the applicant as the visa officers deems fit.