Do South Africans need a visa for travel to the UK?
Yes, a visa is essential for South Africans traveling to the UK. This applies to all travel types, whether for tourism, visiting family, business, or studying, for short or long-term stays.
What is the UK standard visitor visa for South Africans?
The Standard Visitor Visa for the UK enables South Africans to travel for reasons including tourism, visiting friends and family, business trips, or short-term participation in events. Validity is typically up to 6 months based on the travel purpose.
Guide for South African citizens to apply for a UK visa
To secure a visa for the UK, South African citizens need to complete an online application and attend an appointment at a visa application center. The application can be submitted up to 3 months before the trip.
Steps involved:
- Register online on the UK visa application portal and fill out the form with travel details (dates, accommodation, estimated costs) and personal data (address, income, parental information, etc.).
- Prepare additional documents like past travel history, employer’s information, and health tests if required.
- Pay the applicable fee and schedule an appointment at a visa application center for biometric data submission and document verification.
- Prepare for an interview if necessary.
- Wait for the decision, which typically arrives within a few weeks by email.
What main documents do South African citizens need for a UK visa?
To apply for a UK visa, South African citizens must present:
- An original passport.
- Previous or second passports (originals or scans) if applicable.
- Personal data and identity information.
- Employment documentation (original or scanned).
- Bank statements reflecting cash flow for 6 months.
- Marriage, divorce, or children’s birth certificates (originals/scans).
- Proof of property ownership (e.g., house, car, or land).
- Booked flight tickets.
- Hotel booking proof.
- Documents verifying travel purpose.
All documents need English translations certified by a professional translator.
What is the duration of stay allowed with this visa?
A standard visitor visa allows South African citizens to remain in the UK for up to 6 months. Activities like conferences and tourism are allowed, but working or studying needs separate approval.
How quickly is a visa decision made?
Usually, decisions are given within 3 weeks after application submission and identity verification. Average processing times for standard visas currently stand at 6 weeks. Fast-track options depend on location.
What do South African citizens need to enter the UK apart from a visa?
In addition to a visa, South African citizens must present:
- A valid passport.
- Proof of accommodation (e.g., hotel reservation or an invitation letter).
- Financial proof of solvency (bank statements or employer letters).
- A ticket for return or onward travel.
Is health insurance necessary for South African citizens visiting the UK?
Health insurance is not required but strongly recommended for South African citizens. It covers unexpected situations and provides peace of mind. Explore the travel insurance options at Visit World to ensure your safety and comfort.
Standard visitor visa costs for South Africans
A standard visitor visa for the UK costs approximately £100 for a six-month period as of 2024. This base fee may increase based on additional requests.
Details about long-term visitor visas
Frequent travelers can apply for a Long Stay Standard Visa, valid for 2, 5, or 10 years, with a 6-month stay limit per visit. If you are under 18, your visa's validity is limited to 6 months after turning 18. The application fee is non-refundable even if your visa is shortened or denied.
Costs for long-term visas:
2-year visa: £376
5-year visa: £670
10-year visa: £837
Essential places to see in the UK for South African travelers
- London – Stroll through the city's iconic sites like the Tower of London, Big Ben, and the British Museum.
- Stonehenge – Stand in awe at this mystical, ancient landmark.
- Edinburgh – Walk its historic streets, visit Edinburgh Castle, and soak in festival culture.
- The Cotswolds – Explore charming villages, rolling hills, and authentic English architecture.
- Windsor Castle – Step into royal tradition at this historic, continuously used castle.
There are 2 types of transit:
- 'airside' - you do not pass the UK border control before you go on your connecting trip;
- 'landside' - you do pass the UK border control, but return through it and leave the UK in a short period of time (usually 24 hours).
You may need a transit visa if you:
1. Changed flights in the UK on the way to another country;
2. Pass the UK border control, for example, to check in your luggage for a connecting flight;
3. Leave the UK for 48 hours;
4. Do not work or study while in the UK.
If you do not pass the UK border control,
check if you need a direct transit visa instead.
You do not need a transit visa if you have:
1. Family permit under the EU settlement scheme;
2. Home Office travel document, for example, you are a refugee or a stateless person;
3. Standard guest visa;
4. Marriage guest visa.
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What if I need to visit the UK regularly?
You can also apply for a long-term standard visa if you need to transit through the UK regularly for a long period.
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Documents required
To apply for a transit visa, you must have a valid passport or other valid travel document.
You need to provide proof that you are allowed to enter the country you are travelling to, for example:
- residence permit
- green card
- valid visa
If you are not a resident or a citizen of the country you are travelling to, you may need to explain why you are going there. You may need to provide information on your current whereabouts.
You may be asked to confirm that your further trip has been booked or confirmed.
You can use evidence such as:
1. E-mail about booking tickets;
2. Printed tickets;
3. Confirmation from the travel agent.
Your next flight must be within 48 hours after arriving in the UK.
It now takes an average of 6 weeks to obtain a transit visa decision.
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You can enter or return to the UK with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it:
- has a microchip
- has a pet passport or health certificate
- is rabies vaccinated - the animal will also need a blood test if you are travelling from a non-listed country.
- Dogs also usually need to be treated for worms. You can find out more on that website.
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Your pet can be quarantined for up to 4 months if you do not follow these rules, or you are denied entry if you have traveled by sea. You bear all fees.
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If you bring a banned dog breed to the UK, it can be confiscated from you by the police or local authorities.
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Transporting your pet to the UK
Your pet must arrive in the UK no more than 5 days before or after your coming, otherwise you will have to
follow other rules.
You need to fill out a declaration confirming that you are not going to sell or transfer ownership of your pet. It can be filled out
here.
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Can anyone else travel with my pet?
Your pet can travel with someone else if you allow it in writing.
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To learn more about the rules for importing your pets, follow
the link.
101 - police, 999 - fire service, 111 - ambulance, 999 or 112 - emergency medical care in case of serious illness, injury, threat to life.
When importing personal belongings to the UK, you usually do not need to stop or talk to a customs officer.
You can pass the customs control point (mostly through the green corridor marked as "nothing to declare", unless you arrived with one of the following:
- personal vehicle;
- a pet;
- goods subject to restrictions and prohibitions;
- £ 10,000 or more in cash (or the equivalent in another currency).
There are no restrictions on the value of things you import into the UK.
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If you arrived by personal transport
You will not need to register or pay tax on your vehicle in the UK if all of the following apply to you:
- you came to the UK from Ukraine;
- the vehicle is registered and taxed in its country;
You will be using this vehicle in the UK for no more than 6 months.
If you become a resident or stay for more than 6 months, you must register and pay tax on your vehicle.
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If you arrived with items that are subject to restrictions and prohibitions
You should approach the red point or the red corridor at the port or airport and talk to the customs officer if you have any of the following:
- controlled drugs:
- offensive weapons, such as percussion knives;
- self-defense sprays, such as pepper spray and CS gas (tear gas);
- endangered species of animals and plants;
- rough diamonds - you can import jewelry for personal use;
- obscene and pornographic material, such as books, magazines, movies and DVDs;
- import of meat and dairy products for personal consumption;
- firearms, explosives and ammunition - you need a special permit to import these items into the UK.
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If you arrived with cash
If you arrive in the UK with £ 10,000 or more in cash (or € 10,000 or more if you are coming to Northern Ireland), or the equivalent in other currencies, you must inform the customs officer on arrival.
You do not need to:
- do anything if you import less than £ 10,000 in cash (or equivalent);
- pay tax or duty on cash imported into the UK.
For more information and advice on customs regulations, visit the main website of the UK's HM Revenue & Customs.
To drive a car on UK roads you must have a driver's license and valid insurance.
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Who can drive a car in the UK?
Anyone aged 17 and over who has passed the driving test can legally drive a car in the UK. Citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, as well as citizens of some other countries that have driving agreements with the United Kingdom, may use their foreign licenses in the country. However, the situation can change depending on the agreements.
Citizens of other countries can use their foreign license only for a limited period of time. They will then need to obtain a UK driver's license.
You can check if you can drive in the UK using your foreign license on the UK Government website.
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Obtaining a driver's license in the UK
Before you apply for a full driver's license in the UK, you will first need a temporary license. You can apply if you are at least 15 years and 9 months old.
The UK Temporary Driver's License allows you to drive under supervision in the UK. You will need this to pass the theoretical and practical exams in the UK. Temporary licenses are valid for 10 years.
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You can apply for a temporary driver's license in the UK online or by mail using the D1 form. The fee is £ 34 if applying online or £ 43 by mail. You need to provide:
- passport or valid identity card;
- your current address plus the addresses where you have lived for the last three years;
- your national insurance number.
Once you have passed the theoretical and practical tests, you can apply for a full driver's license in the UK. If your temporary license is a version of the photograph, your examiner will send a certificate of passing the driving test to DVLA. You can obtain a full license within three weeks.
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If you have a temporary paper license or have changed your name since the temporary license was issued, you will need to contact DVLA by mail. For more information on how to do this, visit the UK Government's website.
You will need to have your UK driving license renewed every 10 years. It currently costs 14-17 pounds, depending on the ways of renewal, but it is free of charge for those over 70. For more information, see UK Government website.
Information on the exchange of foreign driving licenses in the UK can be found here.
1. "Stand on the right" is the most important London commandment
Standing to the right of the escalator in the London Underground is as traditional as fish and chips.
This is really important advice if you don't want to annoy the entire population of London :) Some stations are deep underground and the escalators are steep and long. In the chaos of rush hour and hundreds of busy passengers, it's important to know exactly where to stand so you don't get in their way. And don't look anyone in the eye in the subway.
2. Buy an Oyster card
The Oyster card is a smart card that can be used on various types of public transport in London, including buses, underground, trams, etc. Order a pre-paid card before you travel to London to avoid queues and confusion, and you will have the option to top up your account as you go. Traveling with a smart card is cheaper than with single tickets or day passes, and you can even show it at restaurants, shops, galleries and other places in the city for additional discounts!
3. Tipping is usually voluntary (10% for good service)
Tipping is voluntary in most places in the UK. If you want to leave a tip for good service in a restaurant, a 10% tip is a general rule of thumb. Sometimes you will find that a 10% service charge is already added. In this case, no tip is required.
If you're using a London taxi, just round up the fare depending on the length of your trip.
4. Public telephones
Although many of the symbolic red phone boxes are no longer in use, there are still some public phones you can use throughout Britain. You can find such a phone using the Yell website. You can pay for calls with coins or a credit card, and the minimum cost of a call is 60 pence.
5. Be prepared to talk about the weather (a lot!)
The British are very obsessed with the weather and will talk about it quite regularly.
If the temperature rises above 16 degrees, expect to see people in T-shirts and shorts, and above 23 is a heat wave and people will tell you a million times a day that it's very hot here.
6. Enjoy the best views of London for free
Most people know about the London Eye, the Shard and the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral, but you'll have to pay a lot of money for these sights.
Instead, check out one of these free views of London:
- Sky Garden: Located on the 35th floor of the iconic Walkie Talkie building, the Sky Garden offers stunning views of London. Tickets are free, but advance reservations are required to visit the observation deck.
- Tate Modern: In addition to its amazing collection of modern art, the Tate Modern boasts a 10th-floor observation deck. From this south-central location, you can see St. Paul's Cathedral, the Millennium Bridge, and the Shard. Both the museum and the platform are free to visitors.
- Parliament Hill: No travel guide to London would be complete without mentioning Parliament Hill. Located in the lush greenery of Hampstead Heath, this hill provides an amazing panoramic view of the London skyline. On a clear day, visitors can see the London Eye, Shard and Gherkin, as well as other iconic buildings.
7. Local currency can be exchanged not only in specialized points and banks, but also in post offices
8. Interest is charged for paying for goods or services with a bank card
9. Approximate budget for traveling in the UK
The budget for backpacking is at least 55 pounds per day. On this budget, you can stay in hostels, cook your own meals, use public transport to get around, take a bus between cities and use all the free facilities in the country (free museums, parks, beaches, etc.).
With an average budget of about 135 pounds per day, you can stay in a private hostel or Airbnb, cook and eat in cheap pubs or fast food kiosks, travel by intercity train (if you book it in advance), have a couple of drinks, sometimes take a taxi and visit some paid attractions such as Westminster Abbey or the Tower of London.
With a "luxury" budget of £255 per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out, use taxis and trains to get around, and go on more excursions and entertainment. But this is just the first floor of luxury.
10. Buy a tourist pass
If you plan to visit many of London's attractions, the London Pass gives you access to over 80 attractions with 1-10 day passes. Other passes available include the London City Pass from Turbopass (which includes the option to add transportation costs) and the London Sightseeing Pass.
Sources:
A Local's Guide to London for First Time Visitors by Alyse
https://tracystravelsintime.com
https://www.nomadicmatt.com
United Kingdom