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9 routes with quoted facts

South Africa: routes compared

The same published facts for everyone: who each route is for, the main fee, the money to show and how long a decision takes. Open a route for the official wording and every source.

Compare with your profile See the routesAll visa types

Information, not immigration advice. These are general summaries from official pages; always confirm there before you pay or apply.

Side by side

Figures below are what we have quoted from official pages. “Not stated” means we have not recorded a quote yet — it is not a pass or fail.

Approximate, at rates of 27 Oct 2026. Banks use different rates.
Study

Study Visa

For foreigners accepted by a South African learning institution.

Main fee
ZAR 425
Money to show
Not stated on pages we read
Decision time
60 days

Last checked 3 Nov 2026

Official points and wording
Work with a sponsor

Corporate Visa

Lets a corporate entity employ a set number of foreign workers.

Main fee
ZAR 1,520
Money to show
Not stated on pages we read
Decision time
Not stated on pages we read

Last checked 4 Nov 2026

Official points and wording
Work with a sponsor

General Work Visa

For foreign workers when no suitable South African citizen or permanent resident is available.

Main fee
ZAR 1,520
Money to show
Not stated on pages we read
Decision time
4 weeks

Last checked 3 Nov 2026

Official points and wording
Business and investment

Business Visa

For foreigners investing in or starting a business in South Africa.

Main fee
ZAR 1,520
Money to show
Not stated on pages we read
Decision time
8 weeks

Last checked 3 Nov 2026

Official points and wording
Join family

Relative's Visa

For close family members of South African citizens or permanent residents; work is not allowed.

Main fee
ZAR 435
Money to show
ZAR 8,500
Decision time
120 days

Last checked 3 Nov 2026

Official points and wording
Other routes

Permanent Residence

Permanent residence on grounds such as work offer, critical skills, business, retirement, financial independence or being a relative or spouse.

Main fee
ZAR 1,520
Money to show
Not stated on pages we read
Decision time
Not stated on pages we read

Last checked 4 Nov 2026

Official points and wording

Other South Africa visa types

8 more types from the official pages. Some have no quoted facts yet.

About this list. Main work, study, family, visitor, business, retirement, corporate and permanent-residence routes have quoted screening facts from dha.gov.za (checked through 2026-11-04). Hub is ScreeningHub (indexed). Entertainment, exchange, medical, Trusted Employer Scheme, LEP and ZEP stay thinner; refugee/asylum is official-link only. Business capital contribution and the retired-person R37 000 monthly vs net-worth wording still need a browser check.

Study

Other routes

Visit

Protection and humanitarian

Listed with official links only. For help with a protection claim, contact the official service or a regulated adviser.

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The free check compares your answers with the published minimums for routes we have reviewed, including South Africa.

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