This is a general guide, as visa requirements vary widely by country. Always consult the official government website or our visa specialists for accurate information.

Visa application checklist:

• Valid Passport – In general, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your planned date of return and must have at least 4 blank pages. Applying for a new or renewed passport can take weeks or months, so make sure your passport is valid before your trip.
• Type of visa: Determine the correct visa category for your business trip (e.g., business visitor, investor, manual labour, training etc).
• Duration of stay: Determine the length of your planned visit.
• Country of visit: Understand the specific requirements of the country you’re travelling to.
• Visa appointments: Be aware that you may be required to book an appointment to submit your documents and or biometrics. During peak periods, there could be delays in securing appointments.
• Invitation letter: A signed letter from the host company or organisation inviting you to visit.
• Company documents: Proof of your business ownership or employment (e.g., business registration, employment letter).
• Financial documents: Evidence of financial stability (e.g., bank statements, salary slips, tax returns).
• Travel itinerary: A detailed plan of your business trip, including flight reservations, car hire, rail tickets and accommodation.
• Proof of accommodation: Hotel or accommodation bookings.
• Travel insurance: Evidence of adequate travel insurance coverage.
• Visa application form: Complete the application form accurately and truthfully. This is a legal document, and consulates and embassies verify the information.
• Passport-sized photos: Adhere to the specific biometric photo requirements. They should be in colour and recent. Some visas require digital photos to be uploaded.
• Biometric data: Some countries require fingerprints and/or photos as part of the application process. This requires you to appear in person initially, so factor in extra time for this type of application. Appointments need to be scheduled for this, and this can cause delays during peak periods and during site outages.
• Visa interview: Prepare for a potential visa interview by practising common questions.
• Foreign Passport holders need to submit evidence of their legal status in South Africa. Sometimes, embassies and consulates require additional processing time.

Top tips and tricks:

• Start early: Begin the application process well in advance of your trip.
• Be accurate: Provide complete and accurate information on your application.
• Strong letter of invitation: Ensure the invitation letter clearly outlines the purpose of your visit.
• Financial stability: Demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to cover your trip expenses.
• Ties to home country: Show that you have strong reasons to return to your home country.
• If you are a frequent traveller, apply for a 48-page passport so that you don’t have to waste time replacing your passport regularly or check if you qualify for a second passport.
• If you travel to a destination regularly, it is worth applying for a multiple-entry visas.

It is possible that a visa may be refused, so understanding the reasons for potential visa refusal is important when applying. Even once a visa is issued, it is up to the border immigration official at your destination to grant you access or deny it.

Most importantly, visa regulations can change frequently, so it’s essential to check the official website of the embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information. Our consultants are skilled at assisting with visa applications and will walk you through the process.

To ensure you are never caught off-guard, we encourage you to access our travel hub HERE to keep you in the loop on all the latest travel requirements.