South Africa Visa Fees in Nigeria (2024)

South Africa is a popular tourist and business destination and thousands of Nigerians travel to this beautiful country every year.

If you’re interested in joining the growing list of Nigerians visiting South Africa for business and tourist reasons, then you’re on the right page.


The first thing you should know is that the visa process to South Africa can be quite difficult if you don’t have the necessary information.

But we’ve decided to take away that bottle neck in the course of this post. As a result, you’ll discover how much South African visa cost and what the process entails.

south africa visa fee in nigeria

Typically, every Nigerian passport holder requires a visitor’s visa prior to travelling to South Africa.


Also, applying early will save you a lot of stress, and you can apply at least 4 weeks before you travel to allow for ample processing time.

You may not to apply for a visa if you belong to any of these categories

  • Individuals who have South African passports need not apply for visas.
  • Visitors who have passports from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including the British Islands Bailiwick of Guernsey and Jersey, Isle of Mann and Virgin Islands, the Republic of Ireland as well as British Overseas Territories) are totally exempt from South African visa control and do not need visas for any purpose.
  • Visitors from certain other countries are exempt from the visa requirements under certain conditions.

South Africa Visa Types and Fees in Nigeria

Short term Visitor/Holiday Visa Fees

  • Visa application fees: 7,071NGN
  • Service charge: 25,200 NGN

The Critical Skill Work Visa/Permit

  • Visa application fee: 25,288NGN.
  • Service charge: 25,200 NGN

Study Visa fees

  • Visa application fees: 7,071NGN
  • Service charge: 25,200 NGN

General Work Visa/Permit Fees

  • Visa application fee: 25,288NGN.
  • Service charge: 25,200 NGN

Relative Visa / Permit Fees

  • Visa application fees: 7,071NGN
  • Service charge: 25,200 NGN

Business Visa/ Permit Fees

  • Visa application fee: 25,288NGN.
  • Service charge: 25,200 NGN

Retirement Visa/Permit Fees

  • Visa application fees: 7,071NGN
  • Service charge: 25,200 NGN

PRICES LAST UPDATED: JUNE 9, 2023.

Important Tips for Nigerians Planning to Pay for South African Visa Fees

Here are some important things you should know if you plan to pay your South African visa fees as a Nigerian:


  • The service fees mentioned above apply only to applications made at the VFS visa application centers in Lagos and Abuja.
  • For VFS Port Harcourt applicants, the service charge per visa application is currently 45,200NGN
  • All payments for the South African visa in Nigeria must be made in naira and only at the Bank Implant inside the VFS Application Center.
  • Applicants in Port Harcourt must pay their fees in cash at the Sterling Bank branch on Woji Road, GRA, Port Harcourt
  • The visa application and service fees may change without prior notice to applicants so make sure you check the visa application website here for updated visa application and service fees before paying.
  • All your applications must include proof of payment. If you don’t attach proof of payment, your application will likely be rejected and sent back to you.
  • For every payment you make for the South African visa application, you will get a receipt as proof of payment. Always make and keep a copy of your payment receipt for reference.
  • Once your application processing has begun, you will not get any refund even if your application is not approved. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Documents Required for South Africa Visa Application in Nigeria

If you are planning to apply for a South African visa in Nigeria, there are certain documents that you are expected to possess and submit. The list below will show you the different documents:

  • A completed visa application form BI-84.
  • A receipt of payment of the visa application fee.
  • An undertaking provided by a host living in South Africa.
  • Bank statement.
  • Copy of passport data page along with copies of existing visas and previously issued visas.
  • Financial statements to show that you are capable of taking care of yourself during the period you will stay in the country.
  • An international passport that is valid for a minimum of 30 days after the visa expires.
  • Introduction/Recommendation letter from an employer, where applicable. Ensure that it is duly signed with the contact details of the employer.
  • Marriage certificate (if married). There should also be a notice in the situation that the couple plan to stay in the country for more than 90 days
  • Medical cover
  • Purpose and duration of the visit.
  • Salary advance (s).
  • Travel itinerary with a return ticket.
  • Two colored passport photographs
  • Yellow fever vaccination card.

South Africa Visa Types

If you don’t belong to any of these categories, you can start the application process. But before we go into the nitty gritty of the passport application, you should note the different types of visas so that you don’t apply for the wrong visa category.

Visitors Visa

This visa is primarily used for visiting family or for short term vacation. The visa is valid for up to 90 days.

Long Stay Visitor Visa

Long stay visitor visa is applicable to foreign nationals that intend to stay in South Africa for a period between 3 months and 3 years.


Business Visa

This is applicable to individuals travelling to South Africa for business. The validity of the visa ranges from 3 to 5 years.

South Africa Visa Application Guidelines for Nigerians

Now that you know the different visa categories, it is time to apply. You can apply at VFS Global Office in Lagos, Port Harcourt or Abuja.

You’re expected to submit your applications in person at any of these application centers.

Each application centre accepts a set amount of application entries per day. Currently, Lagos accepts 230 applications, Abuja accepts 150 and Port Harcourt accepts only 20 applications. It is advisable to get to the application centre as early as 7am in order to hand in your application in good time and avoid long queues.

Below are the offices of VFS Global in Lagos, P/Harcourt and Abuja.

VFS Application Centre – Lagos

Address:    Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, 3rd Roundabout, Lekki Phase I, Lagos

Contact:    +234 815 018 8800

Opening Hours:   Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 15:00

VFS Application Centre – Abuja

Address:    No. 38, Lobito Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja

Contact:    +234 81 5018 8800

Submission Timings:     Monday to Friday – 08:00 – 15:00

VFS Application Centre – Port Harcourt

Address:    Vineyard Shopping Centre, 88 Woji Road, GRA, Port Harcourt

Contact:    +234 81 5018 8800

Submission Times: Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 15:00

Usually, the processing time for the application is a minimum of 6 working days, but it also depends on other factors as each application is assessed individually.

You will be notified via SMS when your application has been sent to the South African Embassy on the submission day, and you can track your South African visa application online.

After the processing, you will be asked to collect your visa at the centre where you applied. You should bring along your receipt when picking up your visa.

We’ve highlighted the cost of the South African Visa in Naira depending on the visa category.

See related visa and travel stuff



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