At a glance
South Africans need a visa to visit the UK. South Africa is on the UK's visa national list, so you apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you travel. You can't just get an ETA.
A visa covers stays of up to 6 months per visit for tourism, visiting family and friends, business meetings, and some short courses.
Fees (GOV.UK)
| Visa | Fee | Stay per visit |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor (single application) | £135 | up to 6 months |
| Long-term, 2 years | £506 | up to 6 months |
| Long-term, 5 years | £903 | up to 6 months |
| Long-term, 10 years | £1,128 | up to 6 months |
Optional priority services and courier fees are extra. UK visa fees rise periodically, so check GOV.UK on the day you pay.
Timeline
- Apply no earlier than 3 months before you travel.
- Complete the online form on GOV.UK and pay.
- Book and attend a biometrics appointment at a UK visa application centre in South Africa. You'll give your fingerprints and photo there. You get your passport back the same day, but other documents may be kept during processing.
- Decision: usually within 3 weeks of that appointment.
Documents that make a strong application
GOV.UK asks for your travel plans, accommodation, trip costs, address history, employment and income, and your travel history for the past 10 years. In practice, a strong file includes:
- A passport with a blank page.
- Three to six months of bank statements that match the income you declared.
- A letter from your employer confirming your job and approved leave. If you're self-employed, bring company registration and business bank statements instead.
- Your accommodation booking, or an invitation letter with your host's UK immigration status and address.
- A simple day-by-day plan and a cost estimate.
What caseworkers are assessing: whether you're a genuine visitor who will leave at the end of the trip, and whether you can pay for it. Every document should answer one of those two questions.
Common refusal triggers
- Unexplained cash deposits shortly before applying
- Declared income that doesn't match your statements
- Not disclosing a previous refusal
- Vague plans ("tourism") with no accommodation or budget
At the border
Carry printed copies of your accommodation, return ticket and invitation letter. Border Force can still refuse entry if your circumstances don't match your visa.
Plan the rest of the trip
See our United Kingdom destination guide for money, SIMs, transport and costs.