Check South Africa Visa Application Status

With the help of South Africa visa tracking procedures for Indian nationals, you can always stay up-to-date with the status of your visa application. Moreover, the South Africa visa validity check also ensures the following -

• It helps you plan ahead and book flexible accommodation and flight tickets to avoid significant financial loss in case of delayed visa approval or rejection.

• It allows you to explore alternative travel options and dates in case of unexpected visa rejection or a significant delay.

• It also assists you in arranging other modes of travel in case of emergencies.

• It reduces the stress of last-minute cancellations as you have ample time to complete the South Africa visa tracking and make alternative arrangements.

Similar to any other country, South Africa also offers short-term and long-term visas for Indians based on their trip duration and purpose. A short-term visa is called a visit visa, and a long-term visa is called a temporary residence visa.

To apply for any of the visas, visit the VFS Global website. Alternatively, you can also apply for a South African eVisa now to enter South Africa for any visa category. It is an online portal that allows you to apply from the comfort of your home.

Each of these visa categories is further divided into subcategories to cater to different travelling purposes. Let us find out more about each of them below.

Visitor Visa

If you wish to travel to South Africa for tourism, recreational activities, business meetings, conferences, etc., a visitor visa is the right choice. It allows you to enter and stay for a maximum of 90 days.

The 90-day period begins from your date of arrival in South Africa, and the following purposes are covered under this visa category -

• Family reunification

• 3-month study programmes

• Research work

• Business activities (unpaid)

• Tourism or family/friends visits

• Volunteer work

• Entertainment industry internships/ small projects

• Participation in sports events

• Transit visa

Temporary Residence Visa

Indian nationals who wish to stay in South Africa for a longer duration to carry out work or higher education must apply for a temporary residence visa. Under this visa category, there is an additional sub-categorisation based on the purpose of the visit, and the list includes -

Study visa- Indian nationals who want to pursue higher studies in South Africa can apply for this visa. It is applicable to all types of courses, diplomas, and certificates.

Business visa- Indians who wish to invest in the South African economy through investments in local businesses or by starting a business in the country must apply for a business visa. This visa requires a minimum investment and other prerequisites to be eligible.

Work visa- Indian nationals who want to work in South Africa must apply for a valid work visa. The work visa is further categorised into different types, each requiring additional documents and a validity of a set duration.

Useful Links -

Types of South Africa Temporary Residence Visas

To check South Africa visa status online, you must follow the steps mentioned below:

• Go to the VFS Global website.

• From the main page, locate “Apply for a visa” and click on “Start Now” under it to begin.

• On the next page, locate the “Track your Application” option, click on “View More”, and select the “Track your visa application status online” link.

• You will be redirected to a new page.

• Enter your application reference number and date of birth in the space provided.

• Enter the captcha code and click on “Submit”.

• You can now view your South Africa visa application status on the screen.

To check your South Africa visa tracking in India offline, you can use one of the following methods.

• Call the South Africa Embassy/Consulate and provide your application and passport number to get an update.

• Visit the South Africa Embassy/Consulate with your passport and application submission receipt and request an update.

• Visit or call the Visa Application Centre where you submitted the visa application for South Africa.

• Contact the VFS Global helpline at +91-22-6786-6009 and provide your passport and application number for an update.

• Write to VFS Global at info.dkin@vfshelpline.com

The online process using VFS Global does not require your passport number to track your visa application status. However, for the offline methods, you must provide your passport number or a copy of your passport to ask for an update on your South Africa visa status.

This is because your passport is your unique traveller identity. Thus, if you wish to check your South Africa visa application status offline, you need to submit your passport number to the authorities.

• One of the most common reasons why your South Africa visa application can get rejected is the submission of incomplete or incorrect documentation. When you submit a visa application, you are required to submit accurate and complete documents, and failure to do so can result in instant rejection.

• Another reason your visa application can be rejected is if you add incorrect information to the application form. This is a very serious offence and will result in instant rejection, as the authorities will question your application's transparency.

• Your visa application can also be rejected if you have insufficient funds in your bank account. One of the important documents that is required for a visa application is proof of funds to validate whether you can manage day-to-day expenses throughout your stay in South Africa.

• If your visa application indicates an unclear purpose of the visit, your visa can be rejected. When you apply for a visa, you must understand the different types of visas available in South Africa and choose the correct one. Failure to do so can reflect poorly on your application, resulting in a rejection.

If your visa application is rejected, do not give up! Follow the steps mentioned below and re-apply to get the visa application correct this time:

• The first step is to understand the reasons behind visa rejection. You need to assess the gaps that caused the rejection and work around them to understand whether these are gaps you can control or not.

• For the next step, seek professional advice and guidance to navigate the application process and document compilation correctly. This will ensure you do not miss out on any important information or procedure, increasing your chances for the next visa application.

• Now, once you have all the information, start collecting the necessary documents with accurate information. Additionally, review the visa application process to learn the potential gaps in the process that may lead to rejection.

• Finally, get ready to re-apply for the necessary South Africa visa. Avoid repeating the same mistakes and submit the right documentation to increase your chances of approval.

Other than staying up-to-date with your South Africa visa status, you must also invest in travel insurance for South Africa to secure your international trip. A travel insurance policy is not mandatory for South Africa visa requirements.

However, investing in one will provide you with a financial safety net to cover any unexpected emergencies that occur before or during your South Africa trip. It helps secure your out-of-pocket expenses from exhaustion in case of medical emergencies or unforeseen circumstances that can otherwise drain your finances.

When you purchase overseas travel insurance from Tata AIG, you can enjoy extensive coverage, including cover for flight delay and cancellation, medical emergencies, third-party liabilities, loss or damage of personal belongings and luggage, etc.

Moreover, we offer a wide range of plans, all curated, keeping in mind the different traveller requirements and budgets. You can also customise your travel insurance policy for added coverage to the base policy to make the most out of your trip to South Africa.

You must choose the visa category and apply in advance to witness South Africa's majestic mountains, diverse wildlife, and dramatic landscapes. Moreover, you must know how and when to check the South Africa visa application status to make informed decisions regarding your trip.

With the availability of online and offline processes for South Africa visa tracking, you can do it at your convenience and make contingency plans in case of unexpected delays or application rejection.